THE PLAZA.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20198, 28 March 1931, Page 9

THE PLAZA.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING. A SPLENDID PROGRAMME. ; P The conception oftfco idea} picture theatre has changed greatly in recent years, consequent on the advent ot sound films, and the intimacy i a pre. dentation wuich this type of entertainment calls lor. 8a the theatre has changed in a few years from the huge hall with its elaborate and. ponderous facades and flamboyant magniricence, to the comparatively small, intimate theatre, planned on lines approaching the aesthetically severe. It has became the psychology of th» theatre-goer that his surroundings moat draw him still deeper into the illusions of the play be is watching. These ideais have been borne in wind, and indeed almost; realised by J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd., in their reconstruction of the v new Plaza - Theatre, formerly the Strand, which opened its doors to Chnstchurch theatre-goers yesterday. It is no exaggeration to state that the packed and enthusiastic audience which attended the first night at the Plaza were agreeably astonished at the remarkable transformation which has been effected in turning the Strand into an up-to-date talkie theatre—in changing it, in such a short space ot time, from its rather unprepossessing I former Btate into a thing of pleasing ! beauty, a theatre deluxe, splendidly equipped and offering the best in modern entertainment. An important principle taken into account in the theatre's reconditioning - * was the necessity for the clearest possible reproduction, and the constructional alterations and improvements made to the interior have induced the least resistance to clarity. Masonite, delicately tinted, and lending itself admirably to the decorative scheme; has replaced the smooth-tiled walls. Other 17"' features introduced to absorb vibration enable the Westerci-Klectrio machine I; installed —a machine which embodies the very latest developments in noiseless reproduction—to give the clearest * possible results. Correctly diffused ' ' light, with its limitless decorative pos--5 sibilities. completes the interior en1' aerobic. ' I Spacious seating accommodation, de- |; signed to induce warmth and complete I comfort, has been installed in noth 1 floors, and the theatre is tastefully \\ and amply carpeted. The usual facilities for patrons have been provided, li" and are all installed along the most I modern lines. £ A happier choice than that of the Si, British picture ''Plunder" could not k have been made for the new theatre's |r opening night, and it gives infinite B satisfaction to fearn that the Plaza |; managemeut w»|l specialise in present ing ISrituh talkies. The high iteputnjji tion which has preceded "Plunder" K to Cbristchurch; is the result of the g§ success which attended the picture's K chief players, Tom Walls and Ralph H Lynn, in '.'Rookery Nook.*' "Plunder" P is such another classic as. was "RookH ery Nook" Br The picture is one of.a number of m /arco-oomodiea tliat have been adapted H by British and Dominion Film Corporis/ at ion. and which have created longIgk remembered laughter throughout the BjEmpire. Bnt the WnllsJjynn combinKatwo for once deserts the grotesquely HMtliniarous farce comedy with, its Bjpifcaigblrcut plot, for the of a jpicrune-story and cue ia at. Bp*.* joss to decide in which capacity sh» ■Kmir can provide the moro continuous js|/sMghter. D'Arcy Tuck, a young of leisure (Ralph Lynn) conmLspirea with a master crook (Tom Walls) ■pe wre*k vengeance on an old lady. ijlyMrs Hewlett (Alary Brougb), who has iß'flfebed the former's fiancee' of her forHgljfne. They decide to steal the o|d MElsArti Taloablo jewellery,.and in carryBBiinat oot 'the theft kill, accidentally, of Ronxg«, a member of .their household. IPpjfhff is mysteriously connected with HewMta. On verv bare suspicion, Ktib two friends aro summoned to ScotH'bnd Yard and cross-examined, and : t |p tbe scene in which the two outwit ■III' exime experts that wins the piegPwethe rid* to be compared with I BpBookn? Nook," for surelv there. HHmUI be few passages of film dialogue BBjfciahsnrd!?' laughable as these. "One ■m can answer your allegations," ■HMnek telU • the Chief-Detective. flßMentsl" They have a ' miraculous Hmp fnm arrest, and eventually reMsMpiht the lost fortune. Lynn carries ■BpUttnotirs as tlie entirely irresponsible |HHniter, D'Arcy Tuck, ■ although Tom. MHpPeirawperb ns the nonchalant raaqtef' Humtk" The cast is substantially the PWBae-the one in •'Rookery Nook.*' a | ■■Pit; which speak* for itself. There Hnf ifo <krobt That the nicture will have season it deserves.