“BROADWAY” IS FINE DRAMA AT LIBERTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 7

“BROADWAY” IS FINE DRAMA AT LIBERTY.

“ Broadway,” the principal attraction at Liberty .Theatre Talkies this week, is the first of the talking pictures to go “ spectacle.” Since the introduction of sound films, producers have naturally been chary of letting themselves go in the way of show, a display of mammoth sets, gorgeous scenes and the like; but “Broadway” combines all the spectacular attractions of the biggest and best of the old silents with the “ pep ” and snap that go into genuine singing, dancing and talking shows. Glenn Tryon, who was such a success as a comedian in the old medium, is ever so much more amusing in talkies, and he and Merria Kennedy, as a speciality dancing-cum-comedy team in an amazing night club in “ Broadway,” have splendid parts. Strictly speaking, it is not a musical talkie, for it never once puts the drama second. Still, the brilliant ballets and ensembles are worthy of noticing. Also, “ Broadway ” is not a story of back stage life. It is a peep into the real Broadway, at the drama that seethes behind the tinsel lure of the Great White Way. Of the talking supports at Liberty, the comedy, “Cohen at the Telephone” is perhaps the drollest, and in the News of the World the most interesting feature is the visit to America of Count Felix von Luckner (the Sea Devil). Also a “visit in sound and speech ” to Samoa, once more in the cables, is of interest at the moment. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.