ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 883, 29 January 1930, Page 14

ST. JAMES

“GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY” Perfect screen colour is one of the many attractive features in the film at the St. .lames Theatre. In “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” a Warner Bros, and Vitaphone production entirely in technicolour, which is continuing its successful season at the St. James, the public sees for the first time the new era in entertainment, a production which combines both stage and screen by reason of its natural colouring, thus making it difficult to believe that the screen characters are not actually living persons. In this special all-talking, singing, and dancing production of Broadway theatrical life, there is the comedy of Winnie Liglitner, the haunting tunes crooned by Nick Lucas, world-famous songster, and gorgeous chorus ensembles.

The story is a flimsy tale concerning a boy who, wishing to marry a chorus-girl, fears the refusal of his uncle, upon whom he is entirely dependent. Another girl undertakes to persuade him that chorines are not so bad as most people would insist. The uncle’s reaction to this scheme is not what was bargained for, and through most of the story it seems that the little plan will fail miserably. A programme of excellent talking and singing featurettes is also being presented.

GRAND SHOWS “ON TRIAL” Those who love good exciting mur-der-mystery stories will be intrigued with the talking film “On Trial,’ which will be shown from today at the Grand Theatre. The dialogue combined with the scope of movement of the films, enable the thrilling story to be presented at its best. It is one of the finest of the courtroom dramas that have fascinated Auckland since the arrival of the talkies. Pauline Frederick, Bert Lyttel and Lois Wilson are the stars, and this main talkie is accompanied by a full programme of sort featurettes. Lupe Velez, featured in “Hell Harbor,” has been “discovered” more times than any other star in pictures. While dancing at a church festival she attracted the eye of a theatrical entrepreneur who cast her in a musical comedy hit. Then Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodward saw her and suggested she go into the movies. In Hollywood, she came to the notice of Mr. McClume, who immediately cast her in the Music Box Revue. Harry Rapt was the next discoverer, then Dopglas Fairbanks, who cast her opposite him in “The Gaueho,” and finally Joseph M. Schenck, head of United Artists, who elevated her to featured roles in “Lady of the Night.”-

DANCING AT THE PIRATE SHIP A monster Anniversary Ball will be held on board Ye Olde Pirate .Shippe ; this evening and judging by the complete arrangements made for ;_he >excess of the evening, this ball should be an outstanding one. New musical selections will be presented by Xe Versatile Pirates’ Jazz Band, and dancing will be enjoyed amid the unique surroundings until a late hour.