STRAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 260, 2 November 1929, Page 13

STRAND.

Youth does some strange thing 3 in the Fox movietone film "Follies of 1929," and the audience has an education in the useful knack of breaking a way through failure that is stimulating indeed. At the Strand last evening,' where the picture was released, screen entertainmenl was offered in a variety and in a range of colour that must have demanded a great effort on the part of the producers. The recording work and the photography had to keep pace with a younger set that give the impression 1929 has a passionate love of speed. Modern youth may have little respect for the old ideas of success, but the way a mere boy brings off a big scheme on the stage is enough to set one thinking. The story .begins behind the scenes, and the backstage setting is a first-class background for viewing the singing and dancing performances of a company of screen and stage favourites that make up the cast. The ensembles are striking and effective, and the stars have to show their mettle in song and dance numbers that demand originality as well as artistry. The range of talent includes such well-known personalities as Sue Carol, Lola Dane, Sharon Lynn, John Dreeden, the inimitable Dixie Lee, David Percy, and others. A specialty, "The Breakaway," made a big hit with the audience, as something generally does when the cast itself is heart and soul in the job. Particular mention is due to Miss Carol, for her singing and dancing, though one realises strongly the firm hand of the director and the musical talent that sets the tempo and keeps it going through several full-stage performances. The colour work put into a scene illustrating a water-glade peopled by languid and beautiful mermaids is a masterpiece. The ocean-green has a bewitching appeal, and it is here that the skill of the technical experts reaches its highest. The acrobatic poses are in full colour, and the remarkable effects obtained in classical dancing are a convincing proof of the advance of the cinema art. In the supporting programme is a talking comedy, a U.F.A. old-country picture, and a selection, "Largo al Factotum," from the Barber of Seville," by Richard Bonelli, baritone, as well as a news budget.

SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENTS. A sacred recital will be given under the auspices of the Auckland City Misr sion in the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow night. Soloists include Miss Irene Frost, Mr. Ken Eady, and Mr. Alf. Watkinsori. Anthem? will be sung by the Mission Choir. The Rev. J. M. Beaufort, chaplain of King's College, will give an address. The mission is making an appeal for left-off clothing and boots. An address on "The Fight Against Cancer" will be given by Dr. Kenneth McKenzie in the Majestic Theatre. The lecture will be illustrated by lantern slides. A picture programme, headed by "Faust," from Goethe's drama, with Einil Jannings in the role of Mephistopheles, will be screened. The entertainment is under the auspices of the New Zealand Association > for the Advancement of Rationalism.

A community sing-song, led by Uncle Tom, of IYA Radio Broadcasting Station, will be held at the Methodist City Mission's service in the Strand Theatre. The film for this week's service is " Over the Hill." There will be a halfhour's musical programme before the service. Ihe Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour will speak. MOULIN ROUGE. The feature of the evening's screening at the Moulin Rouge, Remuera, is "Tropic Madness," a thrilling romance of the South Seas, in which Leatrice Joy plays the principal part. The cast includes Lena Morena, George Barraud, and Henry Seidley. Two talkie featurettes, a two-reel comedy, topical, and review complete a varied programme, concluding with two hours of dancing to Whitford Waugh's Majestic Orchestra.