Song and Story

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 9

Song and Story

WELCOME COMEDY-DRAMA “Broadway Melody” for Regent A PICTURE that demonstrates strikingly tlie immense strides being made in talkie production is “Broadway Melody,” coming to tlie Regent on August 3. It promises to be that theatre’s greatest attraction since the advent of the new films. “Broadway Melody,” starring - Bessie Love, is a comedydrama of American stage and vaudeville folk, catchy songs and brilliant music being woven into the action. It is novel and attractive from the first to the last reel.

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, lavishly mounted and strongly cast, “Broadway Melody,” should win many new friends for talkies, if only by reason of the high technical attainment it represents. The picture is a particularly good

one in itself but, allied to sound and speech that is clear, realistic, and carefully restrained, it becomes outstanding. Bessie Love, who plays the leading part, makes her first talkie appearance and wins through with col-

ours flying. She acts delightfully, and her voice is all that could be expected from a star, young in years, yet of experience and discrimination. Anita Page, co-star, is equally successful. Set in those outwardly-romantic spheres behind the twinkling lights of

Broadway—America’s street of signs —the story tells of a young song writer (Charles King), who secures for his sweetheart a place in a musical comedy, the music of which he has composed. He falls in love with the girl’s sister and finds that she is paying attention to the manager of the show in order that the engaged couple may he together. However, the manager shows preference for the other girl, and the two men quarrel. Thus the story proceeds dealing, in the main, with incidents in the lives of the young people who are seeking fame before the footlights. All through the piece there is a glowing background of musical comedy—of song, dance, and smart dialogue. Among the musical successes introduced by various members of the cast are “Broadway Melody,” "You Were Meant for Me,” and “Love Boat.” In addition there is a full chorus and an excellent accompanying band. One or two of the gorgeous scenes are in technicolour..