ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 30 June 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“NO, NO, NANETTE” Many persons who have seen “No, No, Nanette,” First National’s lavish screen musical comedy at the St. James Theatre, have written the management asking for more information about the theme behind the dramatic “bell sequence.” This scene takes place in the exquisite Japanese number (photographed in technicolour) and shows a huge bell dropped over a Japanese girl. When the bell is removed her appearance is entirely changed. Mlchio Ita, Japan's most illustrious dancer, who aided Harry Ceballos in directing the dances for tliis scene, lias given an explanation of the theme, which is based on one of his country’s folk tales. It follows herewith: Long ago. according to the scribes a Mikado of the 16th Dynasty built~a beautiful temple dedicated to his country. The most beautiful of silks, woods and tapestries went into the building until finally the temple lacked only a bell. No bell good enough could ~ be found, until one day a bell of perfect cast and tone appeared suddenly and mysteriously in the temple yard. No one knew whence it had come, but the Mikado ordered it hung in the temple. The legend has been set to music and dancing in “No, No, Nanette.” It is perhaps the most picturesque episode of the film. The programme at the St. James also includes several bright talkie items.