NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“BROADWAY MELODY” “The Broadway Melody” is a picture which points the way to the day when the mucli-talked-of perfection of the talking picture is complete. It lias been handled in a masterly way, both photography and sound being reproduced in almost life-like similitude in the theatre. In a short time the talking picture may become as vivid and lifelike as a stage production, still preserving the range, action and latitude of the screen. In brief, the story is about a sister act, which has forsaken small time vaudeville to endeavour to get its name in Broadway lights. One sister is pretty, but the other has the brains and pep. The latter, named Hank, a role in which Bessie Love gives a grand performance, is engaged to a song-and-dance man who is just getting a start in a big musical show. Through him the girls get a chance in the big show. The beautiful one, Queenie, makes the grade through her looks, replacing one of the show girls in the scene referred to above. Hank gets by as a chorus girl, having had her act cut out. The trouble is, Queenie falls in love with the song-and-dance man, and he with her. But he belongs to Hank, and Hank and Queenie are devoted. Queenie tries to console herself with the attentions olsome rich young stage door Johnny, a backer of the show. Hank and Eddie are worried sick because of this. However, the secret comes out in a terrific scene in the girls’ dressing room. “The Broadway Melody” is great entertainment and a swell show. It is made so by its expert handling, not the least of which is the back-stage views, which are amusing and not too much of the tiresome and idiotic details of-show business. Its talking has for the great part thrown atvay that awful precision that has made so many of the earlier attempts go so slowly. The dialogue provided is excellent. Consequently, the whole business rattles along at a good speed and there is a snap to it. The musical score is tuneful and adequate.