THE NEW NATIONAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 18

THE NEW NATIONAL

First Talkie “ Her Unborn Child”

THE NATIONAL, Oil the site of one of the earliest theatres in Auckland, and the last Queen Street honse to show silent films, today opens its doors as a modern, up-to-date theatre showing Talkies. With the transformation of the National under the new ownership of J. C. Williamson Films (N.Z.), the silent picture theatre disappears from Queen Street.

The theatre, which was largely reconstructed two years ago, when it was leased as a vaudeville house, has been thoroughly renovated and redecorated, while certain structural alterations have been made. The entrance from Queen Street is illuminated by Neon lighting, and the entrance vestibule and the auditorium are both freshly carpeted, painted and redecorated. In order that the latest Western Electric apparatus may be installed, a new operating box has been constructed in concrete, lined with asbestos. No anxiety is felt over the acoustic

properties of the theatre. These have 1 been shown to be quite satisfactory c when the theatre has been used for i vaudeville. Some of the side seats i have been removed so that every seat now gives a perfect view of the screen ] THE FIRST TALKIE ‘ “Her Unborn Child,” one of the most i amazing talking pictures of the year f will have its premiere showing in l Auckland at the National Theatre, be- j ginning today. This talkie has been j adapted from the celebrated stage sue- j cess of the same name by Howard t McKent Barnes, and comes direct to t the talking screen following an extended engagement at the Eltirge and Forty - t Eighth Street Theatres in New i York. c

Since the talkies captured public interest, there has been no audible screen entertainment presented that has aroused the tremendous response of “Her Unborn Child.” This is due in no small measure to the subject matter and the manner in which it has been treated in adapting this story of unguarded love to the talking picture medium. Highly dramatic in theme, surprisingly frank in dialogue and extremely human in appeal, “Her Unborn Child” has aroused a flood of favourable comment wherever it has been presented as a talking picture and the manage-

ment of the National Theatre is elated at the opportunity of presenting this powerful audible movie for its premiere in this city. Produced by Windsor Picture Plays, Inc., in the De Forest Talking Picture Studios, “Her Unborn Child” offers a strong cast of Broadway stage favourites, including Adele Ronson as the girl, Paul Clare as the boy, Boris Rankin, of the famous Barrymore family. Elizabeth Wragge. well known child player, Pauline Drake, Harry Davenport, Frances Underwood, Elisha Cook Jr., and several others of stage and screen fame. This talkie will hold the screen of the National Theatre for a limited period only, and, it is expected, will establish a record for attendance. ,