NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 16

NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE

“Oh! Mr. Gadd” & “The Plough

And The Stars”

Wellington has taken a long time to get going in the making of talking pictures, but a beginning has at last been made. Standard Film Laboratories, Wellington, have made a very creditable showing in their first effort, and the result of a good deal of hard spade work was warmly commended by a large crowd at the New Paramount Theatre last night. Wellington’s first talkie re _Oh ! Mr. Gadd,” and it is based on a simple but entertaining .story of Miss Phyllis Fitzgerald. The parts ot Mr. Gadd and his wife Miily, a leader in the “womens service" movement, are taken by two well-known Wellington amateurs, Mr. Sclwyn Toogood and Miss Grneie Kerr. They appeared on the stage last night with Mr. Ilarison Cook, who directed “Oh ! Mr. Gadd.” Those responsible for the picture deserve credit for the way they stuck to their task in the face of technical difficulties not generally realised. The work of the players themselves re admirable. Mr. Toogood makes a great job of his laughable impersonation of an honoured leader addressing the women's service society and Miss Kerr’s work as the wife who has neglected her husband’s palate is sincere. Among those who perform minor roles faithfully are Hilda Steele, Jean Coker and Italph Benjamin. Glimpses of Wellington provide plenty of local interest and an interesting departure is the screening of a film of the opening night, showing the crowds entering the theatre. A powerful drama of the tragic F«s , c r ■Week rising in the Ireland of 1910 is unfolded in “The Plough and the Stars,' the other feature on

tlie programme. This film is from the famous play by Sean O’Casey, ami was directed by John Ford, whose experience with "The Informer” makes him the ideal man to have handled it. Strong performances are given by Barbara Stanwyck and Preston Foster, and

supporting them are many brilliant artists who help greatly to create the proper atmosphere of romance and Irish humour in the shadow of death. “The Phantom Sea.” an unusual picture of wild life on a raised ocean bed. is a supporting feature of educative, as well as entertainment value.