CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 946, 12 April 1930, Page 14

CIVIC

“THE LOCKED DOOR” { The unlimited opportunities now j awaiting unknown aspirants to screen | fame with the advent of the talking picture are apparent in “The Locked I Door,” George Fitzmaurice’s United I Artists production which comes to the Civic Theatre today. As it was filmed

with dialogue from start to finish. Director Fitzmauriee insisted that every member of the cast good tonal qualities and a full emotional range. The completed picture justifies this painstaking care, for “The Locked Door” has

been enthusiastically received at all its The cast that Director Fitzmaurice decided upon to produce this film transcription of Channing Pollock’s famous stage play “The Sign on the Door,” comprises Rod La Rocque, Barbara Stanwyck, Betty Bronson and William Boyd in the principal roles, with a supporting company made up of Harry Stubbs, Harry Mestayer, Zazu Pitts and George Bunny. Fifty per cent, of the cast have had no previous screen experience, though most of them have been starred or featured in legitimate theatricals.

So successful has this innovation proven in the case of “The Locked Door” that many productions are now being made with stage stars exclusively. “The Locked Door,” with its story about a brave young wife who finds her happiness menaced by a society wolf masquerading in sheep’s clothing, lias been declared by critics to be ideal material for talking pictures. The Civic’s new programme includes a number of shorter talkie items, as well as musical selections. Ted Henkel's Civic Concernt Orchestra will play "Rammensi Ostrow” and Fred Scholl at the Grand Organ will play the sextette from “Lucia” and “Ten Little Miles from Town.” At the orchestral concert from 7.30 p.m. to 8 o’clock, which has been so popular recently, Mr. I-lenkel will produce a number of new selections.