NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“ILLUSION”

Charles Rogers, that personable young juvenile hero, and the equally delectable partner of the recent Paramount picture, “Close Harmony,” Nancy Carroll, were seen and heard in their second co-featured all-talking picture, Paramount’s “Illusion/* at the New Regent Theatre again on Saturday. With a play that is excellent —“Illusion ’ is based on the novel by Arthur Train—and actors who are equally superior, it is difficult to judge which is the mare deserving of commendatory precedence. Rogers is a young magician who had learned his stage tricks through an early upbringing in the circus. Nancy Carroll is the girl who was raised in the same environment, and who is the partner in their successful stage act. She is in love with him. But Buddy, through his charm and suave appearance, gets himself invited to the parties and fetes of gay Park Avenue society. He succumbs to a wealthy heiress, played by June Collyer. Meanwhile, Nancy becomes disconsolate, and in the same meanwhile June learns the true story of Buddy's background. She tells Buddy she can never marry him. He goes to a theatre, where Nancy is playing the old act with a new partner. The thrilling climax of the act comes. Four rifles blaze at Nancy. Their lead bullets, for which she was supposed to have substituted harmless graphite ones by a sleiglit-of-ha.nd trick, zing through the air toward their human target. Nancy is struck. She collapses. Well, for the rest of it, the picture will have to be seen. It is real entertainment, with every value that the talking screen can give. In addition to this picture there are two amusing comedies and an excellent musical programme by Mr. J. Waugh and his orchestra, and Mr. Ewart Lyne at the organ. An entertaining stage act is presented by Cardo, a skilful manipulator of cards and cigarettes.