PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 804, 26 October 1929, Page 14

PLAZA

“THE RAINBOW MAN’’ A picture in which some very fine singing and dancing effects have been interspersed in a story of unusual interest is “The Rainbow Man,” which has been so successful at the Plaza Theatre, that it will be continued there for an extended season. Eddie Dowling, the American stage comedian and actor, makes his screen debut in “The Rainbow Man,” and his work is of a particularly pleasing style. Opposite him in the feminine lead is Miss Marian Nixon, and the principals are supported by a large and capable cast, including the Rounders Quintet, a pleasing combination who liberally supply the film with delightful music. The story deals with the life of the Rainbow man, a member of a small vaudeville troupe, who adopts the young son of an injured acrobat. The adventures of the man and the boy form a plot of outstanding merit, and romantic charm. During the course of the itinerary of their show they come to a little town named Arcadia, and there fall in love with the daughter of the hotel-keeper. She follows them to New York and although their luck changes, everthing comes out all right in the end. One of the most interesting features is the reproduction of a genuine old-time minstrel show with its corner men and everything “bigger and brighter than ever.” During the course of the story Eddie’s genial personality is seen to the best advantage singing three new songs, “Sleepy Valley,” the theme song, and “Smile Little Pal” and “The Rainbow Man.”

Three entertaining short featurettes complete the programme. First, Warings Pennsylvanians are seen and heard in novelty concerted items, followed by a humourous sketch “Amateur Night” and the singing of the prologue to “I Pagliacci” by John Charles Thomas, the world renowned Ibinger.

British International has entered the field of “talkie” shorts, and its first one which was shown recently in London surpasses anything yet made. It is called “Chelsea and stars the well-known musical comedy star Carl Brisson. Cinema Art Films will distribute all short subjects from British International. “Blackmail” is the first British International all-talkie picture to be made in Great Britain. It is the first talking picture with perfect English voices. It Is the first talking picture in which dialogue and music are, in every foot, essential to the action and atmosphere of the drama. The sounds in “Blackmail,” which is to be released by Cinema Art Filins, are not accompaniments to the drama, but expressions of it.