PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

Northern Advocate, 1 February 1930, Page 7

PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

By A.T.B

I Warner’s Successes. “On With

the Show,” all-colour, and “The Desert Song,” part-colour, are still pulling capacity houses after six weeks’ continuous running at the j Capitol and Princess Theatres, Melj bourne. “Gold Diggers of BroadJway,” all-colour, at its premiere in (Auckland, has broken all capacity I records for New Zealand. “On With j the Show,” entering its fourth week ]of capacity business at the Capitol j Theatre, has broken all attendance i records for that theatre, or any other theatre in Sydney. “The Desert Song” created a veritable sensation in box-office totals and has entered its third week of real moneymaking performances, in Brisbane. The same picture has ju?t concluded its fourth week of colossal takings in Adelaide, and a one phenomenal week in New Zealand at Wanganui. It will open in Auckland shortly. It is said to be much better than the play, and it has been booked for Whangarei.

I B B B B j Putting in the Talkies. No one j knows when they begin to put in “The Talkies” where they will end. Just when everything seems in order it is found that the sound waves are “reflecting” somewhere, or there are “pockets” in the layout of the auditorium. Bales of felt and drapery must be requisitioned and the theatre lined. The Lyceum is being treated in this way at the present moment. B B B B New Dance Fads will be started by Talking Films. Now that “The Broadway Melody” has shown song publishers that the talking screen is the greatest medium of bringing new and popular numbers before the public, dance originators are preparing to inaugurate new dance fads. George Cunningham, noted stage-dancing master and supervisor of dance routines for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer sound revues, predicts a renewal of the wave of dance “crazes” as a result of the success , of the song-and-dance talkies. In Sam Wood’s new picture, “So This is College?” Cunningham was called upon to originate a new dance, which he has called “Campus Capers.” Cunningham predicts that the dance will be the rage, just as “The Wedding of the Painted D,oll” and “You Were Meant for Me” have become song successes over-night wherever “The Broadway Melody” is shown.

H. . ,® ■ 5.., 0 ‘‘Hollywood Revue.” So much has been heard of Metro-Goldwyn-MaVer’s “Hollywood: Revue” that there is already many queries at the head office in New Zealand for this film, which is described by a recently returned exhibitor as one of the most diversified films ever made. Judging by the list of artists in the production, there appears to be every reason to believe that the show is something out of the ordinary. It is the outstanding pictures that are getting the money Over this way, and since the Dominionites have been getting a liberal taste of the big ones, they are' looking for more to follow. If it succeeds in reaching or rivalling the standard created by “The Gold-diggers,” it will “deliver the goods.”

0 m 0 0 The Cast of “Hollywood Revue” all-talking, singing and dancing s’ —includes Marion Davies, John bert, Norma Shearer, William r es. Joan Crawford, Bessie Love, -ad Nagel, Buster Keaton, D and Arthur, Laurel and Hardy Polly Moran. * IS S B 1 jg

“Gold Diggers of ' dway.” The First National-War- Tiros, attraction, “The Gold -m-s of Broadway, ’ filmed in •< js proving a gigantic success the St. James Theatre, Anckl- ;i Fuller house, where it is • , j( s third week. During the sixteen days, 67,190 people paid see this picture, and •j. ''sent a ranees point to it maintain daily popularity for another or two. Up to date ■wer 1 ' have visited St. James tn ,> e this picture. El iS H 8

“Grain of Dust.” A good many wonder bow this picture got past the Censor. Certainly he checked it up to be suitable more especially for adult audiences, but it would have been better suppressed, since the story and its interpretation lacked almost every element of good direction, acting,' and dramatic progression that a picture of any pretentions could lack. Delayed action wore down the patience of the audience, and certain scenes made them vocal in protest, ES IS IS 9

The cast is being chosen for another of the talking pictures’ big revue spectacles on the Fox lot. It is to be called “Hollywood Nights,” directed by James Tinling from a scenario by Andrew Bennison. Leading roles have been assigned to Joseph Wagstaff, Lola Kane, David Rollins, Stewart Erwin, Dixie Lee, Sharon Lynn, and Whimpering Jack Smith, the radio singer.