THE SHOWS THE THING

NZ Truth, Issue 1228, 13 June 1929, Page 21

THE SHOWS THE THING

ONE of the most brilliant' ballroom scenes ever staged before a motion picture camera is to be seen m "Dre"am of Love," a ■ Metro-Gpl.dw.yn7 Mayer production, featuring Joan Crawford and Nils Asther. In filming;, modernised version of "Adrienne Lacouvreur, famous old French. play, Fred Nibjo directed the huge court ball scenes upon a lavish scale, and introduced, many directorial innovations. This [picture, which was made by the man who directed Ben Hur," will be seen m the near future. •'; •* ' ' * " ■■* '■■ -K-j-' MISS GLADYS MONCRIEFF, who comes to Wellington m the title-role pt "Rio Rita," the Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller musical comedy masterpiece to be presented at His Majesty, s Theatre on Monday, June 17, is acknowledged by the present-day critics to be the finest musical comedy artiste of today and m vßio Rita" she has & part which offers her unique opportunities to display the wonderful gifts that are hers. There is' lilting music, wistful, haunting music, that lends Itself, to her glorious voice, making a golden > symphony, a riot of fluting: trills, and', the richness of "Rid ■•Rita;" the col- . ors and the jewels, make ■ a perfect setting for her art. . ; ':■ Tense dramatic situations .give, scope for all those qualities for which Gladys Moncrieff is famed and she succeeds In every situation. "Rio Rita _ provides an ideal part for Australia's Queen of Song, and the forthcoming season at His Majesty's Theatre will give the public of Wellington an unusual and wonderful opportunity of seeing this fascinating musical comedy star m a part eminently suited to her talents. . #■ ••; ' . *" ■ "pRAIG'S WIFE," released -''by' the Brit- ** ish Film Service Ltd.; is adapted from the Broadway stage success, and gives Irene Rich an excellent opportunity to display her talents m a domestic role. The story concerns a headstrong jealous woman who rules her husband with a rod of iron. . She loses the friendship of all around her, and m the end discovers that her husband prefers to give up his home rather than pander to her foollsW whims. It concludes m an unusual mariner.. « ■'.' ■ * • .'."' ■• v ■ ; WARNER OLAND plays the role. of the vengeful Dr. Fu Manchu, m the Paramount all -talking version of the famous Sax Rohm er story, "The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu." -■;. *-.. -:;> : -<.V>'> . ; ' "f\F all the fools ''.you're'., the bigamist," " says Lawyer Lovett to the unfortunate Chicky Bean; and therein lies the comedy element of "Rio Rita." Take a rising young .American bootlegger sufficiently inadvised to venture twice into the matrimonial noose, leave him stranded with both wives on his hands and at the mercy of a sly and sarcastic lawyer, and you open the way to innumerable possibilities - of hilario.us , entertainment. DaVe Mallen, as Ghicky Bean, gives a rollicking, riotous impersonation of the inadvertent bigamist, while as a contrast ■ to his- breezy broadness. comes the suave pungent humor of Charles .Norman as Lawyer -Lovett. Together these two keep the audience m a; ferment of • laughter, and they account for quite a* lot of the overwhelming success of "Rio Rita."

If AT HRYN "dRAWFORD has beer *V chosen as the girl lead m "You Can't Buy Love." This is the Jewel production upon which Arch Heath started m March at Universal City -with Jean Hersholt, Charlie Chase and Edward Martindale. The story is by Beatrice van. -■" •■ ■> • - : - A ■•'■■> , - ■■••■■ : ;

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Latest Releases For Gramophone "Aloha Oe."— The famous Hawaiian farewell song, sung sweetly in 'English by Hulda LiashansKa, assisted by a. male Quartet. Reverse:- "Annie Laurie.— Same singer, m the proper heather style.. j "Sally Brown," "Hanging Johnny," "Whisky /Johnny.".— Jolly old choruses by John Goss and Cathedral Male Voice Quartet; ' Tuneful and .entertaining. Reverse: "The Sailor Llkea Hf« BottleOn; Qlear the Trails, Let the ißullglne Run."— Encore ditties. Same artists. "Hamlet's Soliloquy."— Not the "To be or not" monologue, but "The Play's the Thing," inspiration. John Barrymore, the famous actor, speaking— therefore, very well done. Reverse: "Gloucester's Soliloquy."— Excerpt from Henry VI., by Barrymore. (12in.) — # /■*■•:/■# "Plantation • Songs."— Some plaintive old favorites of the cornfields, including: "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," "Old Folks at Home," and "Poor Old Joe." Paul Robeson and Chorus on double-sided record which will be deservedly popular. (12in.) • ■ • ' ■ ■ * -.■ ■ • ' "Sanctissima." — Fritz and, Hugo Kreisler, with 'cello and violin, m masterly playing of classical favorites. Reverse: "Arlieslenn'e Intermezzo." — Same artists;, excellent interpretation. (12in.) *•'■* ■ ■♦' "Imponete." — The great "Now Command Me" duet from "Traviata," sung by Galli-Curci and De \Luca, who also provide the reverse, the "Say to Thy Daughter" . duet from the same opera. Why paint the lily? The names are enough. (12in.) . # '* ' . ..#"! "Deep N,ight,"- — Fox-trot* featuring Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees, with vocal refrain by Rudy. Reverse: "Weary Rlyer." — Theme fox-trot for movie of that name; same Artists. Swinging melodies. ". ''■.-.■ ■-. * * # "Sweet Ukulele Maid." — She lives m Hawaii, of course, and twangs a ukelele all day long. Hence this ditty, sung very sweetly by Anona Winn (soprano). Reverse: "It Was the Dawn of Love." — Similar sentiment, different geography; same artist. . ' ' . ' ;#> l #■■' .. # ",La Campanella." — Levitzki m ■ the famous Paganini-Lizst piano solo. Played as only Ijevltzki; can play. Reverse: Rubenstein's "Staccato EtudeJ' Same artist. (12in.) . ■ "Sweetheart of All ' My Dreams."— When Johnny Marvin sings a ,ditty with the refrain, . "I ; Liovfe' You," it's sure to be good. It is. Reverse: "All By Yourself In the Moorilight."-rSame artist. . ■■ „.'..' .'•'.' *," r ' ■■" • • l • "Nocturne No. 2, '.. Fetes."—Philadelphian Symphony Orchestra, m doublesided interpretation of one of Debuasy's "different" compositions. Good classical diet. . ■■ >, ,\. • ■ . • . ■ "Sweethearts on Parade." — Jean Goldkette's orchestra, Van Fleming m vocal refrain, tuneful tox-trot— a fine combination; Reverse: "That's What Puts the Swdet m Home, Sweet Home." — One of those pseudo-parody fox-trots.

I JJECAUSE the yoke of Laura La Plante \ ** has proved outstanding m talking pictures, Universal Pictures Corporal tion has contracted for a 200,000 dollar i policy insuring: It against Injury. If- the I star should suffer a total and permanent i loss of the ability to "talk clearly and distinctly as now," Universal would receive 200,000 dollars, according to the policy, to offset expenditures on whatever starring vehicle might be m production. A movietone test' was made of Miss La Plante's voice m order to preserve the evidence of its present quality. In case of injury, the test would show to what degree her vole© had changed. , Miss La Plante is now working on the singing and dialogue sequences of "Show Boat," under the direction of ' Harry Pollard. Following the completion of "Show Boat," she will do talking scenes for Scandal," a Wesley Ruggles production. • • * • ONE of the most Important pieces of work carried out by Willard Van Der Veer and Joseph Rucker, two Paramount cameramen with the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, was the official photographing of Scott Island, the existence of which has, for many years, been m doubt . Van Der Veer has covered every detail of the various flights which commenced after the arrival. Vast expanses of frozen wastes never before seen by human eye have been photographed from the air under difficult conditions. While one cameraman was aloft, the other was makingground scenes and travelling continuously with dog teams. ESTHER RALSTON will play the feml- ** nine lead m Richard Dixs latest starring picture for Paramount titled "The Wheel of Life," which will be made as an all-dialogue and as a silent picture. •. '. *-' ■ • .' ■- IN continuation of his world tours, WII. * liam Heughan the famous actor singer, and great British basso will be returning shortly to New Zealand for his third tour here. Since his, visit last year, he and his associate artistes (Miss Maud Bell 'cellist, and Mlsb Gladys Sayer, solo pianiste and accompaniate) have travelled far, meeting with most enthusiastic receptions everywhere. TTHE spirit of youth, Its tenderness and * romance, lives m First National's great synchronised aerial epic, "Love Never .Dies." Colleen Moore, who is outstanding among all the stars for her freshness, whimsicality, and vivacity rises to great emotional heights m her characterisation of Jeannine, the wistful little French girl who lives within hearing of the rumble of the great guns, and who hides her tears behind a smile as her sweetheart goes away to almost certain death. ' * Gary Cooper, who has already established himself .as an actor of sterling ability, gives a splendid portrayal of Jeannine's war ace sweetheart. * V •■» ALICE WHITE, the dynamic little N blonde star, has commenced work on the Musical Comedy production, "Broadway Babies." More than fifty dancing girls support the star m this musical show, which boasts some speci-ally-composed song hits.