NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

"THE COCOANUTS” Comedy is tlie predominating- element in “The Cocoanuts,” the colourful all-talking musical comedy which is now in its second successful week at the New Regent Theatre. The picture is an elaborate version of the play in which the Four Marx Brothers made an outstanding success on the Broadway stage. The brothers appear to advantage in their respective parts in the picture and the story has lost none of its appeal in its transference to the scredh. The setting of the film is in Florida, where a debutante is wintering in an exclusive hotel with her socially ambitious aunt. The girl falls in love with a poor hotel clerk, who indulges in “get rich quick” schemes with disastrous results. Many hilarious adventures befall the couple before a happy ending is reached. Supporting the four stars are Mary Eaton and Oscar Shaw, both wellknown figures on the New York stage. The music has been specially composed by Irving Berlin, and “When My Breams Come True,” sung in irresistible fashion by Miss Eaton, has proved popular. A wonderful ballet of 60 girls takes part, the dancing forming a most spectacular feature. A fine scene from “Rigoletto,” embracing “La Donna e Mobile” and the famous quartet, and a short comedy in which Mr. Raymond Griffiths appears, complete an enjoyable programme. On Saturday next the New Regent will present a new talkie, “The Dance 6f Life,” a finely executed drama of the show world. The stars are Nancy Carroll and Hal Skelly. a clever comedian, and they appear with a complete ballet, and other attractions of a Broadway stage show. “The New York Evening Graphic” said, “The Dance of Life,” Paramount’s film adaptation of the stage play ’Burlesque,’ arrived at the Rivoli Theatre last night, bringing a phenomenon to Broadway. It is the first picturisation of a legitimate production which improves on the original.”