MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 990, 5 June 1930, Page 17

MAJESTIC

“HIT THE DECK” TOMORROW The intriguing - picture 'which has been interesting audiences at the Majestic Theatre recently, “The Great Gabbo,” starring Eric von Stroheim, will, with its accompanying programme, have its final screening there this evening. The promise made by Jack Oakie in his first screen roles comes to triumphant fulfilment in Radio Pictures’ gorgeous musical comedy, “Hit the Deck,” to be shown for the first time at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. Oakie as a “wise-cracking” sailor, gives a performance which places him high among the ranking comedians of the talking films. With a part exactly suited to his hilarious talents he runs gaily away with the show. Sharing with Jack Oakie is Polly Walker, a recruit from the Broadway, who adds charm and an enchanting voice to the character of Loo Loo. If nothing else, “Hit the Deck” proves once and for all that the screen is the ideal medium for musical comedy. Exterior sequences like the lifesized village street, a real landing wharf with liberty boats plying between shore and a huge fleet resting at anchor, all combine to lend a reality to the theme heretofore impossible on the stage. But the battleship deck and the “Smith party,” with 300 players participating are all treated with technicolour. Here is a production that delights both ear and eye. Both Luther Reed and the director of photography have equalled if not surpassed their similar efforts in “Rio Rita.” The stage hit as brought to the screen, moves in an easy narrative fashion .... without the obvious pauses for songs, usually the bane of musical comedy production. Five new song numbers add to the sparkling whimsy of sailors’ life. Marguerita Padula, a discovery in the singing field, leads a negro chorus of 100 voices in the lavish interpretation of “Hallelujah.” Roger Gray, Franker Woods and Harry Sweet, as the “sailors three,” bid fair to equal the popularity of the Kipling and Dumas soldiers three.