MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 944, 10 April 1930, Page 17

MAJESTIC

“BROADWAY SCANDALS 1930” ! /‘Broadway Scandals,* an all-talking, singing, and dancing revue, with Sally O’Neil, Carmel Myers and a dancing ensemble of beauty girls, is commencing this evening at the Majestic Theatre. Of the picture, the critic of the London “Cinema” writes as follows: “Criticism of this picture is disarmed by the prodigality of its staging, for in this latter connection it certainly goes one better than in any of its predecessors. Such is the aggregated appeal of chorus girls, tuneful songs, clever dancing, and at least one hearty splash of burlesque, that its narrative ceases to matter. It may be recorded that this latter deals with a humble “double act” which breaks up to permit the man to take a Broadway engagement, and . the girl to become a chorus girl of the same play. At the height of the season, the latter interpolates a burlesque of the leading lady, and is dismissed. Her old-time partner also leaves, out of sympathy, and the lovers resume their small-time engagements. The role of the hero is played by Jack Egan, who sings and dances expertly, and opposite is sparkling Irish Sally O'Neil, who scores a personal hit in her burlesque of Valeska. A brilliant galaxy of song writers was assembled by Columbia Pictures to provide the lyrics and music for “Broadway Scandals.” Such wellknown composers as Bred Thompson, Dave Franklin, Jack Stone, James Hanley, Sam Coslow, Have Bryer, Sidney Claire, Joe Trent and Charles Haniels are responsible for the seven snappy numbers that are presented by a cast of soloists and a chorus of 50 stage beauties in Columbias’ musical extravaganza. Among the song hits of - the show are “What is Life Without Love,” written by Fred Thompson, Have Franklin and Jack Stone: and “Hoes : An Klephont Love Peanuts,” the work i of James Hanley, who is responsible ! for “The Bose of Washington Square” and the entire score for “The Bainbow Man.” He has also collaborated on the music for several Ziegfeld shows. The new programme at the Majestic I Theatre this evening includes a number of talking and singing items and musical selections. Lawrence Gray, who plays a song writer in “The Song Writer,* which Harry Beaumont is directing for M e tro - G old wyn-Mayer, is playing a role he knows something about, for he’s written a number of songs himself. Incidentally, Gray was a writer before he became an actor, and started his career as a reporter on a San Francisco newspaper. Seven of the nine members of the cast of “Honey,” an all-talking musical adaptation of “Come Out of the Kitchen,” made their stage debuts in musical comedy. They are Nancy Carroll. the star. Stanley Smith, Skeets Gallagher. Lillian Roth. Harry Green. Lilli© Mitzi Green and Jobina How- ! land.