STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 960, 1 May 1930, Page 15

STRAND

“PARIS” THIS EVENING “Paris,” which comes to the Strand Theatre today, not only brings Irene Bordoni, the French favourite, to the screen for the first time, but also marks the initial appearance on the talking picture sheet for her leading man, Jack Buchanan. Buchanan is the idol of the British musical comedy stage. He has also been twice starred in New York in Chariot's Revue. Tie was chosen to play opposite Miss Bordoni because the role is that of an English musical favourite, and Buchanan is the outstanding star in that field. He is, in fact, the perfect type for the role. When “Paris” was being cast, Buchanan was just finishing a sixteen months’ run of a successful musical comedy in London. He received the cable asking him to join the Bordoni cast, and left the next day, making the journey to Hollywood from England in less than three weeks. “Paris” is the screen version of Miss Bordoni’s latest and greatest stage success. It is a First National and Vitaphono all-dialogue picture with singing and dancing, and presents the French star in a typical Bordoni role—that of a French stage star. Tho very fine cast includes, in addition to Buchanan, Louise Glosser Hale, who also played in the stage version of “Paris”; Jason Robarrds, stage and screen favourite who was a member of the original “Lightin’ ” cast: Zasu Pitts, the screen character actress and Margaret Fielding. Clarence Badger directed the picture. “Paris” includes spectacular costumes and settings filmed in natural colours, startling gowns, sparkling girls, and a chorus of 200 dancing beauties. Tho new songs include such catchy numbers as “My Lover,” “Somebody Might Like You,” “Miss Wonderful” and “I’m a little negative looking for a positive.