The World of Motion Pictures

Southland Times, Issue 22361, 28 June 1934, Page 5

The World of Motion Pictures

THE CIVIC Now Showing: (Double Feature). "Romantic New Zealand” and “Hold That Girl” (James Dunn. Claire Trevor, Alan Edwards. Gertrude Michael). Commencing Saturday: “Flying Down to Rio” (Dolores Del Rio, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Raymond, Raul Roulien). Coming Attractions: "Soldiers of the King” (Cicely Courtneidge, Edward Everett Horton, Anthony Bushcll, Dorothy Hyson); "Channel Crossing” (Matheson Lang, Constance Cummings, Edmund Gwenn, Anthony Bushell. Max Miller); "Berkeley Square" (Leslie Howard, Heather Angel, Valerie Taylor, Irene Brown, Beryl Mercer); "Just Smith (Tom Walls. Anne Grey, Carol Goodner, Veronica Rose, Hartley Power); ‘I am Suzannne” (Lilian *

There is a particularly interesting double feature programme at the Civic, “Romantic New Zealand” and “Hold That Girl.” “Romantic New Zealand,” which was made by Filmcraft Ltd., with the assistance of the New Zealand Government Tourist and Publicity Department and Trucolour Films Ltd., is a pretentious production. Opening with an excellent recording of the New Zealand National Anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” sung both in English and in Maori, the film goes on to relate the discovery of the Dominion by the Dutch sailors and later the visits of Captain Cook. The natives and their methods of living are the subject of a fair proportion of the film, the songs and dances of the Maori being portrayed with a wealth of descriptive detail. From a scenic point of view the film leaves nothing to be desired. Commencing with the thermal region of the North Island, the outstanding tourist attractions of all parts of the country are covered from many angles. In the hot lakes district and around Rotorua, the cameraman has let few matters of interest escape him, while at Mount Cook and Tongariro National Park the winter sports are made particularly attractive by the methods of treatment accorded them. The might of the great glaciers of the Southern Alps is graphically depicted and the majestic forests—kauri in the north and evergreens in the south—are given their due share of attention.

On Saturday Dolores Del Rio’s picture, “Flying Down to Rio,” comes to the Civic. Loved by Gene Raymond as an American and Raul Roulien as a Latin-American, she is first virtually kidnapped by Raymond, and later she is spirited aloft by Roulien, but Raymond gets aboard the same plane. This is a big musical extravaganza. * * * *

“Soldiers of the King” is a subtle and kindly burlesque, with Cicely Courtneidge and Edward Everett Horton in the leading roles. This film comes to the Civic soon.

Having sung together with Gus Arnheim’s orchestra, Harry Barris and Shirley Ross find themselves reunited in pictures. They are together in “Hollywood Party” for several vocal numbers.