FINE NEW PROGRAMME ARRANGED FOR CRYSTAL PALACE TALKIE PATRONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18938, 7 December 1929, Page 33 (Supplement)

FINE NEW PROGRAMME ARRANGED FOR CRYSTAL PALACE TALKIE PATRONS.

One of the finest talking programmes ever to be presented by the management of Crystal Palace Talkies will be submitted next week, when the “ Thunderbolt ” season opens. This picture, “Thunderbolt,” was directed‘by Joseph von Sternberg, who is one who gets effects without any apparent straining after effects, and with a theme, 1n his hands like ‘“Thunderbolt” he is at his best. George Bancroft has the title role, that of Thunderbolt Jim Lang, a gentleman killer, a polite blackguard of New York’s negro district, that seething underworld that ultimately leads to Sing Sing. Fay Wray and Richard Arlen have the romantic leads, and Bancroft makes the third figure of the triangle. The story, indeed, treats of Bancroft’s vicious laying of a conspiracy that will bring young Arlen to prison, as a punishment for annexing the affections of “ Thunderbolt’s" girl. His insane jealousy, his furious rage at being defied for the first time in his life, and his unbelievable ingenuity in bringing his rival to a condemned cell, form some of the heavy stuff of which this picture is made. It is very strong drama, not of the pretty drawing-room type that lends itself to idyllic romance, coy comedy and the like. It is a delineation of a certain type of existence, and to be at all successful has to be both directed and acted with force, sincerity and a correct appreciation of the people and their viewpoint. That von Sternberg and Bancroft have succeeded is apparent in every scene that is played, every line that is spoken. A very amusing all-talking comedy is “ Meet the Missus,” one of the supporting subjects, starring James and Lucille Gleason. This is a bright sketch with excessively witty lines and humorous situations, admirably played by these experienced vaudevillians. An animated song cartoon, “Ye Old Melodies,” presents favourite airs in a novel manner, and the “ News of the World ” includes Edison and Henry Ford at a recent function, an experiment in mental telepathy by means of movietone by an expert and some interesting aviation shots. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.