“NIGHT PARADE”

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

“NIGHT PARADE”

DRAMA OF THE BOXING RING FEATURE AT STRAND Plots, thrills and romance, are pleasingly blended; and the irresistible lure of the fight arena, with the dramatic doings behind the scenes, after dark, are produced in the fast-moving drama, “Night Parade,’' which opened its season at the Strand Theatre on Saturday evening. Midst the labyrinth of Manhattan night-life is hatched a plot to deprive a fight idol of his reputation, and around this theme is cast the story which held the intense interest of a packed house on the opening night. Some idea of how Broadway revels after dark is portrayed in this clearlyproduced and well-acted all-talkie, which may be regarded as a fast-mov-ing panorama of life as it is lived along the great White Way. “Night Parade” is taken from the stage play written by George Abbott, Edward Paramore and ITyatt Daab, and has been brought to the screen with settings impossible to adapt to the stage. Players of the calibre of Hugh Trevor, Dorothy Gulliver, Aileen Pringle. Lloyd Ingraham, Lee S hum way and Robert Ellis, who have the outstanding roles, with clever emotional acting, are responsible for the production’s screen success. The opening scenes show Bobby Murray (Hugh Trevor), a handsome young player, in training for a forthcoming match to defend his boxing championship title. From the reception given him by fans he has the boxing fraternity at his feet, and is in no small way an idol. And lie is the object of devotion on the part of his father and trainer (Lloyd Ingraham), and his foster-sister (Dorothy Gulliver). REPUTATION THREATENED All is well at the training camp and “Bobby” is “in the pink,” and awaiting the day of the great match. Then there is hatched fa plot which seriously threatens his reputation and honesty. He is lured by a pretty girl and the night before the match he fulfills her wishes and attends a party, unknown to his father. It forms a tremendous drama where the young fighter falls into a trap, becomes drunk, and is finally found by his father and a friend nnd taken away. And still more thrilling are the subsequent happenings in which he throws aside the cloak of disgrace and .comes back into his own. Each role is cleverly acted and Hugh Trevor. perhaps a little too handsome for a prize-fighter, plays the parts of a keen, fit athlete, and a drunk man, with perfection. Lloyd Ingraham, as his father, is a most devoted parent and plays excellently when he recovers his son from the party, and in the stirring scene later when he faces the leading “crook.” The leading feminine role is played by Dorothy Gulliver, known so well in the screen world after her great success in the “Collegian” series. As the “tool” of a crooked gambler, which part is played with finesse by Robert Ellis. Aileen Pringle uses great tact, as a lover, in endeavouring to induce “Bobby” from the straight and narrow path, and while he is under the influence of drink she succeeds in getting him to agree to throw away his boxing crown. A strong suppoi'ting programme accompanies “Night Parade.” Ludlow and his band present the latest musical numbers, while an all-talking sketch, “The Burglar,” a rather unusual production. can well be regarded as a good comedy. “Gumboat Ginsbery,” however, is the comedy of the programme, and in it are depicted tho humourous doings of three sailors in a Chinese tea-shop.