THE NEW REGENT

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1930, Page 4

THE NEW REGENT

TWO BEITISH FILMS. GORGEOUS TECHNICOLOUE,

Two more fine British all-talking and singing films were, shown at the New Eegent last evening for the first time, and were acclaimed by a good house. The acting in the pictures was in all cases superb. Elstree is running neck and neck with Hollywood, as it were, and every day sees it gain an inch. n

“Harmony Heaven” is an outstanding example of the advance made by British films. This all-talking production is screened in technicolour and

bears comparison with any American production, with the additional advantage of having English-speaking voices. The story deals with a young, unknown actor who rises suddenly to fame and becomes drunk with his success. Throughout the picture there are some gorgeous stage scenes in very fine colours that are soft and pleasing, yet 1 showing a clarity of outline. The music with the theme “Harmony Heaven” is another delightful feature of the .film, which is an entertaining and amusing production. Some genuine humour is freely scattered through thf story, which comes to a happy ending. The “Hate Ship” is another picture wholly produced at Elstree by British brains and capital . In technique and conception it entirely refutes any suggestion that British pictures are inferor to American.

The “Hate Ship" is a mystery story of the first order, and the scene is laid on a- palatial steam yacht in mid-ocean. Several criminals are endeavouring to obtain the signature of a wealthy man to place a large sum of money into a risky concern, and he is invited aboard the yacht for a cruise , under friendly pretexts. He is shot in the back, one day by a mysterious assailant, and finally a diabolical scheme is unearthed. This story, too, is not without its humorous interludes with “Hopkins/’ the pseudo butler, as the principal funmaker.

Never throughout the whole programme is any Americanism of any kind heard, and a critic is constrained to say: “Keep it up, Britain!”

Mr Ivan Perrin, the distinguished New Zealand pianist, played some delightful music on a Barnard recording piano, and will do so every evening during British Week.

“Harmony Heaven” and “The Hate Ship” will also be screened tonight and tomorrow.