MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 998, 14 June 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“HIT THE DECK” Although the stage version of “Hit the Heck” was admittedly one of the stage’s biggest hits, it only could suggest the immense scope, colour and narrative appeal of Radio Pictures’ screen version, now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. For instance, the “Hallelujah” song on the stage was a solo. In the picture it has grown into a Negro spiritualist meeting interpreted by a chorus of 3.00 Negro singers and dancers. Four new songs have been added to the original score.

The entire naval base at San Diego, Cal., is used for a background, which, on the stage, was represented by a painted back drop. The legitimate cast numbered about 3 00—the screen has utilised approximately a thousand. Three of the largest motion picture sets ever built —a life-size village, a replica of the deck of a battleship, and a Negro tabernacle—by comparison, were only suggested on the stage. As a finishing touch, “Hit the Heck” is partially screened in technicolour.

Never before has “Hit the Heck” been produced with a cast of such distinguished names. It reads like a blue book of the profession; Polly Walker, Broadway star; Jack Oakie, Hollywood’s sensational comedian; Marguerita Padula, mammy singer de luxe: Roger Cray and Franker Woods, of the original New York cast; Ethel Clayton. June Clyde, Wallace MacDonald Harry Sweet, George Ovey, black-face comic; Hell Henderson. Nate Slott, Andy Clark and Charles Sullivan.

Luther Reed, director, and Robert Kurrle, cameraman, the team wliicn produced “Rio Rita,” Radio sensational musical extravaganza, also teamed on “Hit the Heck.” To complete an already excellent programme the Majestic is also presenting several interesting supports. The notorious town of Tia Juana. Mexico’s modern oasis for the gambler and drinker, is to play an important part in “True to the Navy,” Clara Bow’s current all-talking picture. Fredric March plays opposite the star, and Harry Green. Sam Hardy, Eddie Dunn, and Adele Winsor are featured in the cast. Gary Cooper and Fay Wray, who play the leads in “The Texan,” an alltalking Western, are appearing together for the first time since they were co-starred in “The Legion of the Condemned.” They are supported by Emma Dunn, Escar Apfel, Hames Marcus and Honald Reed.

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