AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

The latest talking production, “The Melody Man," the current feature at the Majestic Theatre to-night, is a romance caught by the all-seeing eye of the motion picture camera and set to rhythmic music. Tears, laughter and pathos are blended with a rare artistry, and the result described as “an appealing talking romance played on the heartstrings of humanity." The conflict between the musical classics and jazz forms the basis of the plot. The story concerns a Viennese composer who is forced, to take refuge in America with his in taut daughter after killing his wile and secret lover, lints sacrificing a brilliant musical career. When the girl grows up her inherited love tor music turns to jazz, and she finds herself in love with the young conductor of the “ Jazzbos" band. A clash follows when the father discovers that the spirit of jazz is winning his daughter and invading his home. He is arrested when one of his most famous compositions is heard by a Viennese agent who has been sent, to New York to look for him. The capable east includes John St. Polis, William Collier, jun., and Alice Day. “The Bees Buzz," Mack Sennett’s talking comedy speciality, is a feature in itself and causes endless laughter, whilst the remaining featurettes include “Spike Speaks," a clever comedy, “Screen Snapshots taken in and around Hollywood," and the Krazyeat cartoon, “The Desert Skunk."

THE REGENT Excellent acting makes the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, "The Divorcee, which is screening at the Regent Theatre, something for which special praise should be found. Norma Shearer, in the title role, and Chester Morris as her newspaperman husband, give good performances, and outshine even the experienced actors and actresses who till the remaining parts in an agreeably small cast. Tho picture has been carefully built. Even a banal story is a good and satisfying entertainment when art enters into its composition. Occasionally, however, the right people get together, actors, author and director, and the result is a first-rate film. J ins must have bceii the origin of Lbe Divorcee.” It is a story which is better understood by the married than the unmarried (one supposes), and for that reason, perhaps, was recommended lor adult audiences only. Despite what appears to bo a small cut, its dialogue on tho whole is daring, with one or two moments when the ice becomes very thin indeed. The picture is full of extremely good episodes. At the beginning of the story there is a good deal of lovemaking. Subsequently affection and tbe loss of it provide the centre rojiml which the wliolo plot revolves. ‘‘l he Divorcee” is essentially modern in spirit throughout, and very modern in regard to the relationship of husband and wife. Tho featurettes consist of a Metrotone News, a color revue, an “Our Gang talking comedy “Dear Teacher,” and George Dewey Washington in popular songs, ,