STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 641, 18 April 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“STREET ANGEL,” HEADS NEW PROGRAMME The big “talkie” and sound synchronised programme to be presented at. the Strand Theatre this evening will be headed by “Street Angel,” a film described as a worthy successor to “7th Heaven.” “Street Angel” again stars Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, and is directed by Frank liorzage, who made the former picture. Even apart from the fascinating sound effects, _ “Street Angel” is a lino picture—a picture with the colourful background of the docks and environs of Naples. There are many fascinating, colour-splashed scenes of a small Neapolitan travelling circus. One of the big scenes in “Street Angel” is that in which Janet Gaynor, desperate for funds, goes into the streets a helpless, tragic little figure, and is arrested and sentenced to the workhouse for soliciting. Another hearttugging scene is where Janet, taken into custody months later, after her escape from the police, pleads successfully with the policeman for «one hour of freedom to spend with her artist sweetheart. The scenes that follow will pierce every heart and dampen every eye—Farrell happily voicing his cherished dream of a lifetime of happiness to be spent together with his loved one. Janet bravely try«ing to hide her emotions, utterly crushed with the knowledge that their dream can never come true.

Among- the many thrilling moments aro Janet’s escape from the policeman and the subsequent pursuit. No typical movie chase, this, but a masterpiece of suspenseful drama, heightened by distinctive photographic shadow effects of confused, skurrying forms against the buildings, looming high and grey in the fog-drenched streets. Finally, and perhaps the greatest attraction of all, is the fact that “Street Angel” is sound synchronised with songs, and with a musical score by the Roxy Theatre orchestra, New York, of 110 performers. The first “talkie” picture programme will also include a speech from H.M. (lie Iving, delivered on his last public appearance. Then there is a Fox movie-tone gazette —the same style of budget now being presented at the present time, except that every item has the accompanying and authentic sound effect. One has only to recall the immense scope of the weekly topical to realise the remarkable effect achieved when the sound section is made of equal value to the visualised section. Hence the Fox Movietone News contains all that is exciting in the news of the day just as it happened, with thrilling sound effects. King Alfonso of Spain, the American Ambassador to Spain, and the president of the New York Stock Exchange are among the world celebrities who actually address the audience. The next subject is of immense interest, presenting the world’s outstanding genius in literature, George Bernard Shaw, in a most humorous speech. “Chic” Sale, a famous American stage and screen 3tar, is the leading figure in the next item, which is entitled “The Star Witness,” this item being one big laugh, and is a “talkie” from first to last. Octavus Hoy Cohen, the well-known author of the darkie stories that have been a feature of the “Saturday Evening Post” for many years, has written an original darkie tale for the “Two Black Crows.” The “Two Black Crows” are now making the story as an all-dialogue picture at the Paramount studios.