CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 982, 27 May 1930, Page 14

CIVIC

“LET’S GO PLACES” Good entertainment is the order of the day at the Civic Theatre, where the newest Fox Movietone musical extravaganza, “Det’s Go Places,” is being presented. Amusing in its swift-moving story, and containing many glittering scenes of Hollywoodites at work and at play, the production is of a different type from anything yet appearing on the vocal screen, and is as diverting as it is funny and tuneful. Joseph ’WagstafC and Lola Lane share tlie leading honours with Frank Richardson, Dixie Dee, Charles Judels, Walter Catlett, Sharon Lynn, and Ilka Chase, all of whom render outstanding performances. Both the song numbers and tlie ballet sequences are distinctive and delightful, while Frank Strayer’s direction and William Iv. Wells’s story and dialogue also contribute to the film’s effectiveness. “Det’s Go Places” is a riotous, tuneful, diverting story of life and nightlife in the screen capital. Authentic and intimate views of the real Hollywood—behind the scenes of a talkie studio, filmland’s showiest cafes, the blaze and glitter of a Hollywood “premiere,” a genuine movie party, a wealth of catchy songs, spectacular ballet numbers, and a thousand laughs —all are woven into this merry, whirling musical romance. On the musical side there are splendid selections from both the orchestra and organ. Ted Henkel’s Civic Concert Orchestra plays “Hungarian Dustspiel.” as well as the enjoyable music session from 7.30 p.m. to eight o’clock. At the grand organ Fred Scholl will play the intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Entertaining short talkie items complete the programme.

PLAZA

TWO TALKIE COMEDIES Girls, what would you do if — You were waiting at the church, dressed in beautiful bridal robes; your guests were assembled; your attendants were ready? the organ was playing: the minister was becoming impatient—and the bridegroom was missing? That is the problem faced by Mary Pickford in “Taming of tlie Shrew,” which is now at the Plaza Theatre. A beach dance hall contest for a prize of £IOO and a bungalow is one of the most amusing scenes in “Dames Ahoy,” sparkling Universal comedy now at the* Plaza. Glenn Tryon, as the winner, discovers there is a catch to it the winner has to get married to get the prizes. “Dames Ahoy” is one of the funniest comedies on Tryon’s long list of successes. The notable cast includes Helen Wright. Otis Harlan, Eddie Gribbon, and Gertrude Astor.

BRITANNIA, THREE LAMPS “Close Harmony,” which, is now at the Britannia Theatre, Three Lamps is a charming tale of the lives and loves of a group of vaudeville players. Charles Rogers and Nancy Carroll arc the lovers. second attraction is being shown ln “Nix on Dames,” a comedy of two women-haters, starring Mae Clark and Robert Ames. Both these pictures are talkies.

ALEXANDRA, GREEN LANE “Tlie Docked Door,” which heads the talkie programme at tlie Alexandra Theatre, Green Lane, is an unusual drama centreing around a murder in a locked flat. Barbara Stanwyck Letty Branson, William Boyd and Bod La Kocque are the. stars. The second feature is “Jazz Heaven,” a bright singing and dancing story starring Sally O’Xeill and John Mack Brown.

VICTORIA, DEVONPORT “The Gentlemen of the Press” is tlie title of the fine talkie which heads the current programme at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. Waiter Huston, the star, appears as a special reporter tor a big New York daily, whose work always seem to take him away from home at moments of domestic importance. A second attraction is shown in Taxi 13, • an amusing and thrilling comedy-drama starring Chester Conk-