CIVIC

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

CIVIC

“SPLINTERS” “Splinters,” the story of the -wartime concert party, is continuing its successful season at the Civic. The founding of the company b\ r Private Hal Jones in Flanders, the training of a male ballet, the preparation of the “Bra Sat Theatre” behind the lines, and the difficulties of the producers are portrayed with a wealth of humour characteristically British. Particularly entertaining incidents are the altercation between two drinkmuddled Tommies as they contemplate a portrait of Lloyd George, the squad of soldiers being addressed by their officer as gentlemen, the performance of two stage aspirants, and the mistaken identity of the leading lady. Leading players are Hal Jones, Reg Stone, Lew Lake, Sydney Howard and Nelson Keys. In addition to the usual supporting features a film showing scenes from the football match played by the British team against Wanganui is screened. Musical selections are played by Ted Henkel’s Orchestra and by Fred Scholl at the organ. An interesting feature of Saturday’s programme was the views of Amy Johnson’s arrival in Australia. This is a sound record, and not only do we see the landing and the welcome, but actually hear the cheers, the roaring of the engines, and hear “Johnnie” speak. It is all beautifully clear. A startling view is also shown of the accident Miss Johnson experienced at Brisbane. In former pictures, Janet Gaynor has either been very poor, and Charles Farrell very rich, or vice versa, or both have been very poor. In “High Society Blues,” Fox Movietone musical romance, their newest vehicle, which opens at the Civic Theatre shortly as the next change, both are unusually wealthy, although there is a wide gap in the social positions. Miss Gaynor, a society debutante, however, does not let snobbery interfere with her interest in Farrell, although his social position is far less than hers. William Collier, sen., Joyce Compton, Hedcla Hopper, Louise Fazenda. Lucien Littlefield, and Brandon Ilurst are also prominent. David Butler, who made “Sunny Side Up,” directed. Five musical numbers have been provided by Joseph McCarthy and James F. Hanley. Dan Burnet wrote the story.