NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“THE DANCE OF LIFE” It is a new world in the movies—a new show world. Broadway and the stage have come to the screen, and the screen is no longer silent. We have our favourite stars talking, new songs captivate, and new dances enchant. Colour, too, has come with this new era to the screen. Paramount, ever a leader in motion pictures, has long presented talking pictures and new screen fare. But nothing so great as “The Dance of Life,” the film now at the Regent, has come to the screen. Brilliant stage and screen stars, magnificent Broadway re\ue scenes in their natural colours and wonderful dancing and singing are features of this great story. It tells of the romance of a stage comedian and of a girl he left behind him, and of her sacrifice of love so that he might make good. The human heart throbs that come in this picture make it a a success alone. Hal Skelly, of the Broadway stage production, and Nancy Carroll, Paramount’s screen sensation, are the principal players.^ The numbers include “King of Jazzmania,” “True Blue Lou,” “Cuddlesome Baby,” “Flippity Flop,” “Ladies of the Dance” and “The Mightiest Matador.” Richard Whiting, Leo Robin and Sam Coslow, well lenown for scores of popular hits, wrote the music and lyrics. In addition to these catchy popular tunes, many old-time favourites are heard throughout the picture. “In the Gloaming” is sung by Nancy Carroll. “Sam, the Accordion Man,” written by Walter Donaldson, is sung by Hal Skelly, and a group, and “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” furnishes a song and dance number for Hal Skelly and Nancy Carroll. The Regent’s short subject programme includes an excellent sound gazette, a talking comedy and a clever and amusing song cartoon. In addition, Mr. J. Whiteford- Waugh and his orchestra play, with Ray Jury, an accomplished xylophonist, contributing a solo. Two big pictorial features head the new programme to be screened at the New Regent Theatre next Saturday. Each is an outstanding example of the best that filmdom can offer in talkies and silent productions. The “Dummy,” the all-talking feature, stars Ruth Chatterton, of “Madame X” fame, and “The Single Standard” stars the great Swedish emotional actress, Greta Garbo, in her best picture. These two films will make up a unique entertainment. Charles Ruggles, Paramount featured player, who gave a notable characterisation in “Gentlemen of the Press,” is to have the leading role in a new Paramount talkie. The production, which is, as yet, untitled, has been adapted from a story by Ben Hecht, author of “Underworld.”