CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 16

CIVIC

SPLENDID PROGRAMME Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, perhaps the most popular of all screen sweethearts, not only talk in “Sunny Side Up,” original Fox Movietone musical comedy by De Sylva, Brown, and Henderson, but also sing and dance in a manner which marks them as outstanding performers in this field as they were in silent pictures. Miss Gaynor has studied voice culture ever since she first entered pictures a little over three years ago. To sing always has been one of her greatest ambitions, she confessed recently, and ever since signing a longterm contract with Fox she has filled in much of her spare time studying voice. Consequently, when the development of audible pictures attained their tremendous popularity, the little star was well equipped to step before a microphone and talk or sing with the best of them. Unlike so many of the former silent screen favourites, who have passed into oblivion with the new era, Miss Gaynor has attained even greater heights through the use of her voice. She sings several songs in “Sunny Side Up,” which will be seen and heard on the screen of the Civic Theatre today, all written especially for her by the highly successful song-writing combination of De Sylva, Brown, and Henderson. She also displays real ability as a solo dancer in one number. Farrell, who was on the stage before pictures .reached out and claimed him for their own, has a highly pleasing baritone voice, which he has developed during the last two years under the tutelage of the best teachers money could employ. it will be an entirely different Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell who make their debut here soon in “Sunny Side Up.” They are surrounded by a cast that includes Sharon Lynn, Marjorie White, Frank Richardson, and El Brendel, as well as a chorus of 100. David Butler who wrote and directed the story for Fox Movietone Foliles, directed this production. Seymour Felix, noted dance director, staged the ensembles and song numbers. ” ew su PPorting programme will also be presented this evening. The chief features will be “The Mikado” overture, by Ted Henkel's Civic Unit Orchestra;' the playing of "Woodland Echoes ; and “Help! Help!” by Fred snlendid° n t the “ r ' lnd 01 'gan; and the splendid stage band entertainment under Mr. Henkel’s direction. Ramon, Madeline, and Pedro, the international dancers, will make a welcome reappearance, and the Civic Ballet will present “Parisienne.”Sally Starr and Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), both of whom appeared in "So This is College,” have been added to the cast of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new colourtone revue, “The Flower Garden,” which Marty Brooks will direct. Lottice Hall, young coloratura soprano, will make her first screen appearance in “The Flower Garden.”