ANOTHER “ TALKIE ” SEASON OPENS AT LIBERTY THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 7

ANOTHER “ TALKIE ” SEASON OPENS AT LIBERTY THEATRE.

Ones goes to the “ Talkies ” in an openly sceptical frame of mind, much the same as, twenty years ago, one went to the “ movies.” And it may be said that one walks out of the theatre searching for words that might fitly explain this latest wonder of the scientist's laboratory. The equipment in Liberty Theatre assist Fox Movietone in presenting a talkie programme that is of the highest artistic worth. The programme which has been holding huge audiences enthralled will be presented again this week. The feature-length picture is * “ Mother Knows Best,” from the Edna Ferber novel. Madge Bellamy, Louise Dresser and Barry Norton have the leads ” Mother Knows Best ” would be a remarkable picture merely as a “ movie,” but as a talking film it is doubly so. The Roxy Theatre Orchestra, a combination of one hundred and ten performers, supplies the music throughout, and comes through with rich tone. The first part of the programme is devoted to several short talking subjects, those of most interest to people in these parts being the speech of his Majesty the King at the opening of the Tyne bridge, and the delightful monologue delivered by George Bernard Shaw. A classic American turf event, with the horses thundering round and the roar of the excited crowd, is, perhaps, the most realistic. Miss Gertrude Lawrence, a popular West End artiste, sings a humorous song, “ 1 Don’t Know,” arid Bransby Williams is seen and heard as Grandfather Smallweed from “ Bleak House.” The Chicago Wheat Pit is heard in full action. the excited shoutings of hundreds of buvers simply filling the auditorium. The ftoyal Hawaiians are seen and heard in some faultlessly rendered native airs and songs. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Com-