PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 15

PLAZA

“THE MIDNIGHT TAXI” Antonio Moreno, known as one of the “great lovers” of the screen, not only lives up to his record in “The Midnight Taxi,” the part talking picture now at the Plaza Theatre, but adds to it. He plays the part of a millionaire, who, to get a new kick out of life, joins the king of rum-runners in a hair-raising flight by taxi, boat, train and airplane, during which he; Moreno, is called upon to do some pugilistic stunts not unworthy of the champion—aerial gyrations of which no aviator need be ashamed. Helene Costello plays the part of an amateur sleuth, who joins the “hijacking” gentry, to run down the men who have stolen bonds from the bank which employs her, and is extremely successful in interpreting the part. Myrna Lo-y, famous as character actress in many films, plays an alluring deceiver with her customary verve, while Bill Russell, who shared honours with Miss Loy in previous pictures, outdoes himself. The lineup of thugs, thieves, sharpers and detectives which fill in the scenes of “The Midnight Taxi” is perfectly cast. John Adolfi’s direction makes use of every possibility for dramatic action, suspense and thrill, the photography is especially effective, and “The Midnight Taxi" is another picture which emphasises the fact that the crook cannot win. It packs the excitement of twenty detective thrillers. The Plaza's programme also includes several new Vitagraph all-talkie features. Chief among these are songs and items by Daphne Pollard, one of England’s famous comediennes: comedy by O’Njell and .Vermont; songs by the Harrington Sisters; songs by Allan Prior, the celebrated Australian tenor; and jazz by Roger Kahn’s Orchestra. Finally, there are some amazing scenes of an airplane refuelling in midair during a 150 hours’ record endurance flight. SUBURBAN THEATRES At the Prince Edward Theatre this evening the films are “The Far Call” (Leila Hyams and Charles Morton), also “The Veiled Woman” (Lia Tore and Paul Vincenti). The Grey Lynn Cinema is showing “The Wedding March” (Erich von Stroll and Fay Wray).