TALKING FILMS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20962, 16 September 1933, Page 5

TALKING FILMS

CIVIC THEATRE TWO FEATURES The star film on to-day's magnificent double-feature programme at the Civic Theatre will be "Say it With Music," a novel and unusual type of talking picture, which provides Jack Payne and hir celebrated orchestra with an excellent opportunity of demonstrating to Christchurch audiences the quality of performance which have made them among the best-known combinations in the world. The story concerns a young composer who finds he cannot provide the music the public demands. He is told that if he will write "stuff that Jack Payne will play" he will very soon sell it. He then meets Jack Payne, being picked up from beneath the wheels of Payne's car. Payne has been looking for him for years to pay him royalties on a musical fragment composed in France during war-time and elaborated into "Say it With Music," the piece which Payne asser' made his name. Tne down-and-out composer has had a lapse of memory, however, and cannot recall anything that happened before a crash in an aeroplane during the war. How the recollection of his jarly composition is accomplished by Jack Payne and a Harley street specialist forms the story, and has to be seen to be appreciated. Jack Payne proves that he is equally good as an actor as well as musician. Percy Marmont and Joyce Kennedy are as the unlucky composer and his young wife. The simultaneous playing of 15 pianos by members of the orchestra is one of the musical highlights of the piece, and suggests that every member must be an accomplished pianist in addition to being master of his own particular instrument.

"Say it With Music" will be preceded by a bright comedy-drama, "Captivation," featuring Betty Stockfield, the glamorous Australian girl, who was last seen in "City of Song." This time she is assisted by the two sterling actors, Conway Tearle and Frederick Volpc. while Violet Vanbrugh also has an important role. Seats may be reserved at th Civic. Intending patrons are advised that performances will commence punctually at 2.15 and 8 p.m., owing to the length of programme. Regent Theatre—"Adorable," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m Plaza Theatre—"Kiss Before the Mirror." 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Crystal Palace Theatre—"Cavalcade," 12. 2.30 p.m.. and 8 p.m. Theatre Royal—"The Keyhole," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Everybody's Theatre—"Reunion in Vienna," 12. 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Liberty Theatre—"Elusive Blonde" and "Hard to Handle," 2.15 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. Majestic Theatre—"2o,ooo Years in Sing Sing," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Grand Theatre—"Fighting Caravans," continuously from 11 a.m. Ten days would be required to traverse all of New York City's streets at the rate of 20 miles an hour.