"INNOCENTS OF PARIS."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 13

"INNOCENTS OF PARIS."

MAURICE CHEVALIER'S TRIUMPH. SUCCESS OF NEW- TALKING EQUIPMENT. Crowds of people flocked to the Majes.ic Theatre last night to witness the nitial screening of Maurice Chevalier's jagerly-awaited picture, 'Innocents of Paris." Incidentally this is the first allalkie that the Majestic management iave screened since they took up sound Mctiu-es some weeks ago. The preseilation of the "Innocents of Paris' was lelayed for a week while the latest uid'most up-to-date sound apparatus, he R.C.A. photophone equipment, was nstalled. This new apparatus is a decided improvement on the previous Machine, and sets a distinct standard jy which talking pictures will be judged n the future. Richer and fuller tones ire radiated in the fan-like beams which liable every part of the house to hear ivith equal facility the words of the players. The sound reproduction is perfect. No distortion is recognisable, and ihe actual words of the actors are distinct and pleasant to hear. Usually when so much has been heard ibout a picture as has been the case with the "Innocents of Paris," the public 2xpect too much, and are disappointed with the presentation. This is not the jase with Chevalier's masterpiece. The actor fulfils every promise of his powers, and gives to the public such an entertainment as it would be hard to better. The Frenchman is indeed an artist. His; unique personality, spontaneous manner, foreign mannerisms, and ever-ready smile make an instant appeal to the audience. Chevalier has a good talking voice, and his French accent, not hard to follow, is at the same time pleasing and intriguing. ■ His acting before the camera is so natural that he has the air of living the part he portrays, and he is devoid of the shyness that some actors feel when addres'sing the microphone. Of Chevalier's acting and singing the least that can be said is that they are excellent. The stoiy of the "Innocents of Paris" is simple, and has been used only a dramatic setting for Chevalier to display his repertoire of singing and dancing" novelties. The tale tells of the rise of Maurice Marney, "antiquaire," or second-hand man, to the dazzling heights of music-hall fame. The element of romance is cleverly interwoven, and Paris stage life forms an interesting background to the whole. David Durand, the juvenile star, won the hearts of the audience from the very first by his quaint and firm belief in his own little importance. Although only a child, he shows considerable dramatic talent. Sylvia Beecher, who plays the principal female role, gives an excellent rendering of the difficult part of the Frenchman's sweetheart. The remainder ot the programme includes a number of short and interesting sound and silent featurettes. Gordon Freeman, the English entertainer, gives a farcical sketch in which he recommends and displays a number of his own inventions. Roxy La Rocca, the wizard of the harp, renders two deliffhtful items, among them the popular "Marie Lou." Interesting events of the world's news are shown by the Fox Movietone News, which contains a picture of the Prince of Wales .and reproduces to advantage his speakiiisr voice. The Majestic Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Whiteford Waugli, renders the incidental music and plays the final item of an entertainment iong to be remembered in Auckland.