CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1061, 27 August 1930, Page 15

CIVIC

“THE CUCKOOS” TOMORROW The current programme at the Civic Theatre will haV‘e its final presentation there this evening. This includes “Ladies Love Brutes." the splendid society drama, starring George Bancroft. and the accompanying prb—gramme of featurettes and musical numbers. The shortest manner of defining “comedy" would be to see “The Cuckoos." the. all-talking. singing, musical sho\\',,coming tomorrow to the ‘Civic Theatre. 1 Bert Wheeler and Robert XVoolsey, lyinnnitable clowns of "Rio Rita" fame. ‘are principal reasons why "Tho quckoos" is "joyful” festivity.” June Clyde and Hugh Trevor, with 100 trained singers and dancers. are Ithe featured entertainers along the lmusical and dancing line. 3 Stage technicians have always claimed that comedy was an elusive “actor and particularly hard to bring {out on the screen. Special “gag” men >are usually employed to insure the {success of the embryo comedy. ! But \Vheeler and Woolsey refused to have an assistant when filming “The Cuckoos." Every “gag" used by them in the picture is original. They have worked together so long that they know beforehand whether their jokes will register successfully with the audience. Blost musical comedies of the screen have fchature’d the singing and dancing numbers, but “The Cuckoos” reverses the ordinary routine and features the comedy. The picture was “made for laughs.” and, according to‘those who have seen it. the show hits its mark. "The Cuckoos” is comedy of the broadcast type. It makes no pretences at subtlety. for \Vheeler and XVoolsey are decidedly comedians of the “slap-stick" variety. They are aided to no small degree by! Dorothy Lee. who scored so sensa-{ tionally with them in “Rio Rita.” and. Jobyna. Howland, a‘newcomer to the' screen who has made her mark in Broadway musical comedies. 3 "The Cuckoos” is the screen's first‘ ital-talking extravaganza of nonsense. ‘ . —_————————————- I “THE WRECKER” ‘ There is no doubt about the interest qualities of the 8.1).F. sound synchronised special. "The \Vrecker," at the London Theatre. From the opening scene to final “fade-out," the interesting nature of the story well acted. and with really remarkable added sound effects. creates an atmosphere of tension and thrilling action that is relieved only by the excellent comedy of the two actors. Leonard Thompson and Gordon Barker. “The Loves of Robert Burns.” star—ring Joseph Hislop. Britain‘s famous ’ tenor, is the second feature. __________.__.___.__ 9 DANCING AT DIeELAND l —‘—“ 5; The popular Dixieland Cabaret will Hie the scene of another bright dancc :this evening. Delightful music will be played by the Dixieland Dance Band.