AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19806, 23 May 1934, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

“TOO MUCH HARMONY.” BRIGHT FILM FOR MAJESTIC. Bright music, hilarious comedy, and clever dancing as a background to a tangled romance make “Too Much Harmony.” which will begin to-day at the Majestic, a delightful film. The picture is a story of the lives of the members of a musical comedy cast between the closing of one show and the opening of another. Bing Crosby, principal of the company, is engaged to a fascinating “gold-digger,” played by the late Lilyan Tashman. While at a small Ohio town, he visits the local vaudeville theatre and sees a performance. After deciding that Ruth Brown, played by Judith Allen, has ability, he takes her back to New York, to engage her in his own company. Later they fall in love. Complications ensue when Crosby finds that it is difficult to drop his first fiancee and also that Ruth is virtually engaged to Jack Oakie. However, after much scheming and plotting, the novel story moves smoothly along to a highly satisfactory ending. Bing Crosby plays his part well, while Judith Allen makes a charming and dainty heroine. As the vivacious vampire Lilyan Tashman is splendid. Reunited Oakie and Skeets Gallagher provide most of the comedy relief.

I COVER THE WATERFRONT.

NEWSPAPER STORY FOR REGENT. There is an unusual and attractive tang to “I Cover the Waterfront,” the film which will form the main feature of the programme opening at the Regent to-day. It tells in most graphic fashion of the adventures of a newspaper reporter whose special demesne comprises the docks and wharves of a great American seaport. The cast includes the names of three star performers who always give a very good account of themselves. Dark, personable and vivid. Claudette Colbert furnishes the main feminine interest for the story, and the role of the young newspaper reporter is very effectively handled by Ben Lyon. The third i f the trio is Ernest Torrence, a veteran who brings long years of experience t o the strangely impressive character studies which are his specialty on the screen of to-day. There is no lack of excitement and action in the film, and the story has been excellently adapted to the screen. Excellent use has been made of the outstanding dramatic values of the tale, and the players all exhibit a keen understanding of the requirements of the parts.