MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 926, 20 March 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE BATTLE OF PARIS” To gain some idea of the excitement of night life in the gay French capital one needs to see the very line production, “The Battle of Paris,” which ife coming to the Majestic Theatre today. It is an all-dialogue and singing attraction, featuring the famous English musical comedy star. Gertrude Lawrence, and she is supported by an outstanding British cast. Gertrude Lawrence is a beautiful actress with a fascinating personality on the stage, and her ability is undoubted. She has previously been starred in two noted Broadway successes, and her threefold attributes of singing, acting, and dancing have achieved for her a full measure of popularity. Charles Ruggles, the musical comedy star, introduces a new vein of humour which is thoroughly entertaining. It is the lighter side of the war which ils dealt with in the “Battle of Paris,” for it depicts soldiers of the Allied armies seeking relaxation from the grim work of the trenches. A young artist has his wallet “lifted” by a youthful song-seller on the streets, but in a fit of remorse she returns it to him. Sympathetic with her story, lie persuades her to become his model, and as an outcome they fall in love with each other. Then comes war, the girl’s lover leaving for the front, while she turns to nursing in the hospitals. Here she becomes the friend of three soldiers. Her lover returns, but becomes infatuated with another girl. Lnavailing are the attempts of the three soldiers to bring them together, until she is kidnapped, when the soldier-artist suddenly awakens to the danger he is in of losing her. There are some reckless scenes until he recovers his betrothed, and is assured of forgiveness, and the curtain rings down with the bells announcing the armistice. In addition to the big film, the programme includes a number of excellent singing and talking featurettes.