THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

"Navy Blues," at the Theatre Royal this week, is the romance of an American sailor, featuring William Haineß. The, story concerns Jack Kelly (William Haines), who goes to an uplift party. There is only one girl in the room for him, and she has been; selected as the partner for his shipmate, the Swede (Karl Dane).' Jack is more than equal to the situation, for she soon becomes his partner, and the two get along well together. Later he meets the girl's parents, and he doesn't want to marry the family. Complications follow, and eventually the sailor has to leave in the course of his duty, rather more glad than sorry to be out of it all. The supporting "shorts" include one depicting the village amateurs playing Shakespeare, and the whole programme is amusing. "SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE» COMMENCING TO-MORROW. Thrills, suspense, mystery, and romance are some of the high-lights of Richard Dix's first starring vehicle for Radio Pictures* "Seven Keys to Baldpate," which has its first local showing to-morrow at the Theatre Royal. Audiences are literally "on their toes" every minute during the screening of this fast-moving ail-talking dramatic farce, which is one of those cinematic rarities that combines thrills and laughs in rapid succession. Dix gives one of the finest per ; formances of his long screen career as Magee, the novelist who meets with many adventures while spending the night in a deserted tavern trying to write a novel. The eerie shadows of Baldpate Inn, the howling of the wind outside and the ominous sound of seven keys turning one by one, in the lock of the tavern door, all create an atmosphere of mystery that rivets one's attention on the screen. The surprise ending of the story is one that even the most imaginative minds will not guess. Dix iR supported by an unusually strong cast of players, two of whom enact the. same roles in the picture that they played in George M. Cohan's original production of the play in New York more than a decade ago. They are Joseph Allen and Carleton Macy. "Seven Keys to Baldpate" was adapted to the talking screen by Jane Murfin from Earl Derr Biggers's story, and directed for Radio Pictures by Reginald Barker. The personality of Dix, the splendid performances of his supporting cast, the thrilling development! of the plot, and the mysterious setting for the action, make this film one of tho most intriguing offerings shown at the Theatre Royal in many months. The box plans are at The Bristol.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, • —— Happy memories of the vieit paid to the Christchurch stage a few months ago by Leo Carrillo are revived by his acting in the talkio film, "Mister Antonio," at Everybody's Theatre. In this talkie Carrillo again takes the part for which he is so suited. He is an Italian who has lived for a short number of years in New York, and who has acquired a verv few American mannerisms, and a still smaller number of American colloquialisms. His name is adequate—Antonio Giovanni RaSaelo Garibaldi Mussolini Cavour Camaradino is its immensity—but Tony, his American nickname, seems in its terseness to fit him still better. With all this weight upon bim, he runs a flower shop in New York. Happy and care-free, he disclaims any regard for women. A shrug of bis shoulders, and he dismisses wealth and Bocial position. A smile, and he captivates the hardest heart. His life runs on simple lines, and he has no desire that it should become otherwise. It does not seem in the nature of things, -however, that he should be allowed to go on existing thus blissfully, so that a number of minor happenings conspire to lead up to the time when he is confronted with something which forces him to depart from his regular habits. This something has for Christian name June, and is a most disturbing influence. Virginia ValH's quiet beauty fits the part, and acts as a remarkably suitable foil to Mister Antonio's Latin impetuosity. Mister Antonio marries her. The preliminary programme this week is quite up to standard. A comedy, "A Day in the Life of a Man of Affairs" is the best of the well-assorted numbers, and a Ufa sketch, "Oriental Motoring," has a very definite interest for those who know anything of the way of automobiles ia the back-blocks.

"SUNNY SIDE UP, M RETURNING

NEXT WEEK.

At the request of a large number of talking picture patrons it has been decided to present "Sunny Side Up" for a return season in the city, and after protracted negotiations it bas been possible to secure this very popular picture for a season at Everybody's Theatre next week. The box plans are now open at The Bristol Piano Company, and there is every indication that it will be necessary to book seats. "Sunny Side Up" was the first of the real musical romances of the screen, something that was really written for the new medium, and not an adaptation. An excellent cast of favourites were assembled, including those charm ing players Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, and the delightful music by de Sylva, Brown, and Henderson set heads nodding and feet tripping The picture is full of good things, amusing situations, romantio scenes, merry songs, gorgeous ballets, and a charming love story between a son of New York's Four Hundred and a daughter of New York's Four Million. The comedians are El Brendel, Frank Richardson, and .Marjone White; Sharon Lynn is the girl who makes desperate bids for the heart and hand of Charlie Farrell, and Janet Gaynor is the girl who wins that young man. Some of the songs and ballets that are in "Sunny Side Up" are "If 'I Had a Talking Picture of You;" "Turn on the Heat, "I'm a Dreamer," and "You've Got me Picking Petals Off of Daisies," and the motiflief of the picture, "Sunny Side Up." Book now at The Bristol Piano Company.