“UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE”

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

“UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE”

WITH JOHN BATTEN OF ! AUCKLAND ROXY’S FINE TALKIE Last night,, patrons at the Roxy { Theatre were treated to one of the j most refreshingly entertaining talking j picture programmes offered for some ! time. The feature was the British Interna- j tional all-dialogue screen version of j Thomas Hardy’s famous novel. : “Under the Greenwod Tree.” It stars ; two young and most capable screen ! players in Marguerite Allan and John ; Batten, in a picturesque comedy drama i of old Wessex. The story concerns the Mellstock j village instrumental choir, whose reign j as leading musical lights in the vil- ! lage is threatened by the invention of the organ. A beautiful romance against rustic surroundings is supplied by the youthful leader of the band, and the pretty schoolmistress, who volunteers to play the organ. The picture was directed by Harry Lachman, and was released by Cinema Art Films. The incidental music heard in this screen version of Thomas Hardy's famous novel is a direct departure from the usual, inasmuch as it has been specially composed by Hubert j Bath and Harry Stafford, and coni' ! prises many of the old Wessex folk j songs and not excerpts from jazz num- i bers, thereby irretrievably dating a i picture for those in towns where the i music has arrived months prior to the picture. John Batten, the young Auckland boy, gives a wonderful performance as young Dick Dewey, and was warmly applauded for his work. He is just the right type for the role in this beautiful romance. The Roxy’s new programme also includes a full list of shorter talking and singing items.