CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 921, 14 March 1930, Page 15

CIVIC

“LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH'’ The current programme which has delighted audiences at the Civic Theatre for the past week will have its final presentation there today. This includes the glamorous romantic story, “Romance of the Rio Grande,” starring Mona Marris and Warner Baxter, also the musical programme from Mr. Fred Scholl at the organ, and Ted Henkel’s Symphony Orchestra. George Jessel, starring in “Love, Live, and Laugh,” Fox Movietone alltalking drama, makes his bow at the Civic Theatre tomorrow. The popular stage star of “Jazz Singer” and “The War Song” has the role of an Italian immigrant who leaves his American sweetheart to return to Italy when his father is near death. He is caught up by the war, and lands in a hospital, badly injured and blinded. His sweetheart reads that his entire company has been killed, and later marries a doctor in a hospital where she is a nurse. When Jessel returns to New York, he becomes a hurdygurdy man, and goes about seeking his lost love. Through chance he discovers her, only to learn of her happy marriage. Her husband takes an interest in the young Italian, operates, and restores his sight. Jessel, seeing his former sweetheart is happy, sings a gay farewell. although this heart is broken at the blow fate lias dealt him. William K. Howard, who has “Christina,” “The Valiant,” “White Gold,” and many other successes to his credit, directed. Lila Lee, Kenneth MacKenna, David Rollins, Henry Kolker, and John Reinhart are in the cast. Another excellent supporting programme of music and special features will also be presented from tomorrow. CRYSTAL PALACE, MT. EDEN “Street Girl,” now at the Crystal Palace Theatre, was adapted from the story, “The Viennese Charmer.” a dramatic and realistic tale of that little known, but intensely human district, New York’s “Little Hungary.” Jane Murfin wrote the dialogue, and through it brought a poignant and authentic description of life in that section. Featured in support of Betty Compson is John Harron, whose performance marks him as one of the most accomplished of those stars of the silent screen who have successfully made the change to dialogue pictures. Jack Oakle and Ned Sparks contribute most of the comedy, which is one of the most prominent elements in the story.