STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“SPEAKEASY” "Speakeasy," Fox Movietone production adapted from a celebrated play, ; and coming to the Strand Theatre tins J evening, is a last-moving panorama of ! New York night lne, witn plenty uf - drama, comedy, realistic sound effects J and IUU per cent, dialogue. In selecting players tor the principal rotes for tins ail-talking photo-play, Benjamin Stoloff, director, literally combed the theatrical field. While preparations for the production of the story were in progress it was decided that only players with a fertile background of stage training be chosen. For this purpose the director journeyed to New York. where he "discovered, 1 lor the films, two of Gotham's most promising young stars, Lada Lane and Paul Page. These two players were cast at once in leading roles lor "Speakeasy,” and likewise placed under a long-term contract by Fox Movietone executives. Page portrays the character of Paul Martin, college bred fight champion, who is saved from the clutches of an unscrupulous band of gangsters through the eftort of a newspaper girl, Alice Woods, played by Lola Lane. „ , Henry B. Walthall, veteran ot both stage and screen, is cast in a role peculiarly adaptable to fine command of emotional expression. Be is cast as Fuzzy, speakeasy loafer, who gives his life that the youthful lovers may be reunited. In' the character of Big Min, speakeasy hostess, is Helen W are, star of many stage successes. Lier delineation of the difficult character is said to be amazing. Broadway knows her by reputation gained through long years of accomplishment with Belasco, Frohman, Brady and others. The character of Cannon Delmont, , crooked fight-manager and speakeasy operator, is done by Warren li>mex, scion of an old theatrical family and one of New York’s best known actors. Hvmer was playing the heavy role in "The Grey Fox” on Broadway when he was signed by Fox Movietone. Sharon Lynn, Fox contract player, is seen in the role of Maizie, uoubledealing gold-digger whose evil influence on Martin caused his rapid downfall. The supporting programme will include a number of short all-talkie features by world-famous artists, also an address by the Right Hon. llumsay MacDonald. Other attractions will be an all-talking comedy, entitled “Sound Your A,” introducing Marjorie Beebe and Arthur Stone; a Fox Movietone News, and another entertaining item by Gertrude Lawrence, the Knglisb comedienne, entitled “Early Mourning.”

Edwin Justus Mayer, famous playwright and author, has signed a new ong-term contract with Metro-Gold-wn-Mayer. Mayer recently adapted 'Tim Green Ghost,” Ben Hecht’s mystery story, to the screen, and also John Gilbert’s “Redemption,'’