"ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT."

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1930, Page 14

"ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT."

The presentation on the audible screen at the Civic Theatre to-day of the much discussed picture "All Quiet on the Western Front,"'is a notable event in the screen history of Auckland. It is the New Zealand premiere of the picture, which is based on Erich Remarque s famous war book. Critics In all the English speaking countries liave hailed the film as outstanding in every way, the picture retaining the spirit of the book with its terrible indictment of war. Mr. Michael Orme, a leading English critic, says the following in a recent issue of the "Illustrated London News": "In this film Mr. Milestone has shown himself to be one of the greatest directors in the world, chiefly because against a background of tremendous scenic magnitude, of the mental bewilderment and upheaval, and of physical horror, he has succeeded in making his characters live. Of the pictorial and recording sides of the film no praise can be too high. ... In this respect it is, with two exceptions, the most outstanding picture of the year." In one way the picture deviates slightly from the book. While Remarque has only vaguely sketched his characters the film traces their war career from the time they first enter the army, flushed with patriotism and carried away by the idea of fighting for their Fatherland.. The horror of the following years is shown with grim realism, until at the close of the film the youths are seen stripped of illusion and "old beyond their years. There is a notable cast and the lighter side of life has not been neglected, many laughs relieving the sterner side of the picture. The film is an all-talking production, and the whole of the dialogue has been based on the speech of the book. In addition the war scenes are made more intense by the excellent reproduction of the sounds of bombardment and barrage. PLAZA THEATRE. The bright musical comedy, "Sunny Side Up," is the chief attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Janet Gaynor, who appears in a Cinderella role, sings some pretty little ditties, and Charles Farrell appears in the part of her handsome millionaire lover. Several song numbers are sung by Marjorie White, in association with Frank Richardson. There is also effective character comedy by El Brendel, Peter . Gawthorne, and others. The supporting programme includes a laughable farce, with Clark and McCulloch featured.

LYRIC THEATRE. "Let's Go Places," which brings in intimate touches of Hollywood, is the headline attraction at the Lyric Theatre. It is an all-talking, singing and dancing production, with plenty of entertaining value. There will be a good supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACr. "The Ship From Shanghai," an alltalking screen adaptation of Dale Collins' lamous novel, "Ordeal," will be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre Mount Eden Road, to-night. It lias a cast including Louis Wolheim, Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Carmel Myers and Holmes Herbert. The production was adapted to the screen by John Howard Lawson, author of "Processional," and was directed by Charles Brabin. Except for the opening scenes, laid in Shanghai, the picture was filmed in its entirety on the Pacific Ocean 011 a small sailing schooner equipped with recording apparatus. The ship carried a special "atmosphere" crew, inasmuch as the navigation laws prohibit the U6O of regular crews as actors while on duty. A second feature will be "Melody Man," with William Collier, jun., and Alice Day in the leading roles. This picture has some iine technicolour sequences.

RIALTO THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton is always worth hearing. She will appear in "The Dummy" to-night at the Hialto Theatre, Broadway. This is a picture of thrills and suspense, and the interest is sustained from start to finish. "The Argyle Case" is a supporting film, with Thomas Meighan in the leading role. GONDOLA FAIR. To-night, to-morrow and on Saturday a Gondola Fair will be held in the Town Hall. The afternoon sessions commence at 2.30, and the evening sessions at 7.30. Sargood's orchestra will play in the evenings. There are twenty stalls, numerous novelties and fine decorations. Every article sold will be guaranteed good, and at prices "which will surprise."