MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 993, 9 June 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“HIT THE DECK” “Bigger and Better”—to borrow* an ancient and often abused slogan—briefly describes Radio Pictures version of the popular stage success, “Hit the Deck,” now at the Majestic Theatre. Although the famous musical comedy established records throughout the world, the stage offering could only suggest the immense scope, colour and narrative value of “Hit the Deck” in its present film form. The “Hallelujah” song is an example of what is meant. It was a solo on the stage. In Radio Pictures’ interpretation it becomes a lengthy sequence—a negro spiritualist meeting which involves 100 negro vocalists and dancers and players, and introduces to picturegoers the colourful Marguerita Padula, a black-faced singer, whose voice has a startling range of four octaves. This same parallel may be expected in other comparisons of the old and new “Hit the Deck.” Expense was forgotten in assembling a cast both for the principal roles and for the chorus. Polly Walker, who is “Looloo” in the film play, was imported from the New York stage. Roger Gray and Franker Woods enacted the roles in the film which they created in the original stage version. Jack Oakie, who plays “Bilge Smith” in the picture, was the comedy sensasation of 3 929. An excellent supporting programme is also being shown at the Majestic.