ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21118, 25 June 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT.

THE HOME OF THE TALKIES

THE DUNCAN SISTERS IN “IT’S A GREAT LIFE” LAUREL AND HARDY IN “THE HOOSEGOW.”

Two of the world’? most widely known musical comedy stars, hitherto limited to London and New York • audiences, make their screen bow to local movie-goers in “It’s a Great Life,” which opens at the Regent to-day. The stars are Vivian end Rosetta Duncan, making up the famous team of Duncan Sisters, who have made more than a name for themselves in such productions as “Hitchy Koo,” “Tip Top,” and Winter Garden shows in New York and in “Pins and Needles” and “Clowns In Clover” in London, where they were made much of by the Prince of Wales and other social celebrities. Such popularity must be deserved. And there are plenty of reasons why the Duncan Sisters have invariably “stopped” every show they have been in. The Duncan talent may be attributed to something more than beauty, good voices and fastmoving legs. It’s a combination of a lot of indescribable things that can be summed up in the one word “personality.” Opportunity for a display of this gift is given them in “It’s a Great Life,” Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer’s all-talking-singing drama of musical comedy. Though a “back-stage picture,” it is refreshingly original in its treatment. There was no need to fake the atmosphere of the theatre in the picture with the Duncan Sisters as its featured players, because they themselves supply the genuine thing. The picture contains both humour and pathos and is‘done in such a natural, unassuming way as to immediately win the sympathy of every type of audience. Lawrence Gray, heads the supporting cast, which also contains such experienced players as Benny Rubin, Jed Prouty, Dudley Chambers, Oscar Apfel, George Davis and George Periolat. One of the most effective things about “It’s a Great Life” is the fact that its amazing technicolour sequences add considerable beauty and charm to the gowns worn in the production and to the revue scenes, which are a riot of colour. The supporting features include a Laurel and Hardy comedy “The Hoosegow,” Tito Ruffo, Italian operatic baritone, Metrotone news, etc. Seats for to-night may be reserved at the Bristol until noon and later at the theatre or by ringing ’Phone 1938. “SALLY.” THE HUNDRED PER CENT. ALLTECHNICOLOUR, ALL-TALKING, SINGING AND DANCING MUSICAL COMEDY FURORE. MAJESTIC MATINEE AND TO-NIGHT. The biggest event of the cinematic season is now at the Majestic Theatre, where “Sally,” Marilyn Miller’s first and greatest musical comedy triumph, is seen on the singing and talking screen with the popular star in the title role. It is also Miss Miller’s first picture in her entire career, and it has been given an elaborate production by First National and Vitaphone, with a superlative cast in support of the star, and every scene in the picture photographed in technicolour. For several years "Sally” broke theatrical records in every large city in the country. Its beautiful love story and its gay and lilting melodies made it the most popular of all Miss Miller’s stage appearances. The original company, headed by Miss Miller, played for two years on Broadway without a break and then for nearly two years more in the other large cities of the nation. Now it comes to the screen with all its well-remembered beauty and flavour intact, but with many novel and beautiful scenes added, as well as new songs and dances to augment the old favourites. “Sally” is the first picture of. its type to be made entirely in colour, and it is- probably the biggest and most costly production since the advent of singing and talking pictures. Plans are at the Bristol, or ring Majestic telephone 738 for reservations.