NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 12

NEW REGENT

“CLOSE HARMONY” In “Close Harmony,” the Paramount all-talking and singing hit at the New Regent Theatre again this evening. Buddy Rogers, one of the most popular of movie stars, plays no less than fiye instruments in addition to singing. Buddy is the youthful conductor of a jazz oand eager for stage life. His act is good but needs pep and when his girl scorns him, he goes right out to show her what a real fighting spirit he has. Nancy Carroll, the little red-headed bunch of femininity, who appears in “Close Harmony,” was playing leads in musical comedy a short time ago. Then the movies claimed her and her personality instantly made her popular with fans. Now that the talkies haye come the audience sees her dance and hears her sing. “Skeets” Gallagher and Jack Oakie as Barney and Bay, headliners in vaudeville, provide the comedy relief in this production. They are engaged for a turn and sing “She’s So, I Dunno,” but the heroine makes love to both and splits the team so that their contract is cancelled. The picture is probably the nearest that patrons of the New Regent will see to a New York musical revue with a real Broadway setting. Nancy Carroll and Buddy Rogers both sing and there is music, jazz, girls and gaiety all the way through. In addition to the main talkie, the short talkio features which constitute the remainder of the programme are a complete entertainment in themselves. They include a number of selections by Borrali Minevitch and his harmonica band, a clever sketch, “Knights in Venice” by the famous Hebrew comedians, Smith and Dale, songs by Ruth Etting, who is heard on the Columbia, records, and finally a Pathe Sound News and audio review. Mr. Arthur G. Frost plays a number