CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1062, 28 August 1930, Page 17

CIVIC

‘THE CUCKOOS” ‘ The Cuckoos,” opening today at the Civic Theatre, offers a new theme in talking pictures of the musical comedy type. The comedy is the keynote and Is featured above singing and dancing. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, famous funmakers of ‘‘Rio Rita,” are head-lined. Jobyna Howland, sixfoot comedienne of Broadwfty fame, was brought from New York especially for the picture. Mitchell Lewis, as a gipsy chief instils drama into the plot with his diabolical plans, which are foiled by the antics of "VVheeler and Woolsey. Director Paul Sloane had manv beautiflil sets built. Radio Pictures’ dancing chorus gracefully proceeds through intricate ensembles. Dorothy Lee executes clever speciality dances and Marguerita Padula sings colourful gipsy songs. Throughout all, however, comedy predominates.

In virtually every scene Wheeler and Woolsey are active with their clowning antics and wise-cracks. June Clyde, as the niece of the wealthy Jobyna Howland, is kidnapped by gipsies. Hugh Trevor plays her sweetheart. Wheeler and "Woolsey appear as fortune tellers who use their psychic powers to locate the “gal.” Their efforts along this line are the last word in comedy. Nme song numbers comprise the musical menu in this RKO’s musical comedy hit.

Some are: “I L«ve You So Much/* sung by Bert Wheeler and Dorothy Lee—the same team that popularised “Sweetheart, Wo Xeed Each Other” in “Rio Rita.”

“Wherever You Are,” sung bv June Clyde and Hugh Trevor. “I’m a Gipsy ” a duet by Robert Woolsey and Jobyna 3 lowland. “Laugh Today and Cry Tomorrow.” sung by Raymond Maurel and RKO’s singing chorus. “Oh! ITow We Love Our Alma Mater,” is the feature comedy song hit sung by the head-line comedians. The Civic’s new programme also includes interesting talkie foaturettes and new musical items. The Civic Concert Orchestra, under Mr. Howard Moody, will play several selections, and solos on the Civic Grand organ will bo played by Mr. G. Paulsen.