"NO, NO, NANETTE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 16

"NO, NO, NANETTE."

A STRIKING PRODUCTION. For all-round entertainment, few programmes comprised solely of talking pictures could excel that which opened at St. Jamos' Theatro last evening, for besides tho screen version of tho musical comedy, "No! No! Nanette," which has been seen hero in its stage form, there arc supporting films which would provide an evening's amusement in themselves. Like so many other pictures that have come to St. James* Theatro, "Nol No! Nanette" should, if tho public is consistent in its judgment, enjoy a pleasantly long run. No doubt, its reputation will largely be judged on tho sections which are in colour, for tho makers have produced some extremely beaqtiful and arresting stage pictures which must creato widespread discussion, but apart from these special features, the reproduction of tho familiar musical comedy ns a whole in film technique has been accomplished with more than usual skill. Besides introducing tho popular song numbers that were hummei and whistled whon "No! No! Nanette" was produced on tho legitimate stage—everyone remembers "I Want to be Happy"—concentration lias been particularly directed on the comedy element, which fully justifies tho claim of tho distributors that the picture is "bigger and funnier" than its stage prototype. Probably it is the extremely amusing work of Lucicn Littlefield, who takes* tho part that Jimmy Godden had in New Zealand, that accounts for the pronounced success of the comedy, but it would bo unfair to thrust nil tho praise on one man whon there is such a delightful little person as Bernico Claire to take the feminine role made familiar hero by Elsio Princq. She is tho effervescent spirit of the pieco to whom all must pay homage. Not only is she an actress of considerable charm and youth, but she has the ability to sing the bright littlo songs that go with her part. Nor must be forgotten Bert Roach, tho companion in deceit of tho Biblo publisher, whoso generous heart involves him in a mild affair with two girls, unknown to his wifo, and Louise Fazenda, who plays very amusingly tho rolo of tho unsuspecting helpmate. Tho picture differs from the stage play in tho introduction of a musical comedy show within tho show. In this spectacular production, done in colour, tlio audience is taken on a trip to Mars, depicted with such wealth of colour, movement and ingenuity as to leave tho spectator metaphorically gasping with amazement. The planet is revealed as a land of eccentric dimensions, in which tremendous masses of cubes, piled rectangles, scintillating arcs, spinning stars and needlo pinnacles join to make an astoundingly-original slago picture. Tho grouping of tho dancers in this highly imaginary paradise has been achieved with a deft understanding of tlio laws of rhythm. In these Martian scenes the singing of Alexander Gray, as the daring airman from tho earth, is heard at its best. This review takes no note of several other highly diverting colour scones, of which a magnificent Japanese fantasy and a pretty Dutch scena, with probably a hundred dancers ongaged, form only two. They aro produced on tho grand scale, such as ono might seo on tho biggest stages in tho world. Tho supporting films include a novel fashion parade and somo fine singing by a malo quintet, but tho most interesting and original conception is " Tho Songwriters' Revue," in which that prince of masters of ceremony, Jack Benny, introduces several leading American composers, whose popular songs havo been on every tongue.