CARROLL’S “VANITIES.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 2 October 1934, Page 3

CARROLL’S “VANITIES.”

Famous Show Booked for Majestic. The drama, “ Sadie M’Kee ” (Joan Crawford), heads the -current programme at the Majestic Theatre. Double murder, backstage, on the first night of a big Broadway show, while the gorgeous scenes go through on the stage. The leading man is one of those involved, and the producer makes one long frantic effort to keep the police off the stage until the finish of the performance—this is the plot and fun of Earl Carroll's famous “ Vanities,” which will open at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. Of this great show a northern critic writes: One finds it hard to decide which is the most absorbing part of the film, for what with trying to unravel the mystery, appreciate the plentiful humour, listen to the bright music and look at the beautiful girls, there is a division of appeal which make? the picture outstanding. Ingenious settings carry the whole show along, too. It is not merely a “ leg show,” nor it a series of songs which pall in overdoses. Jack Oakie, as the producer, is as full as ever of wisecracks, directed unmercifully at Victor M’LagJen, plays the slightly dumb detective lieutenant, susceptible to a pretty face and a beautiful figure. Carl Brisson, a famous European star, makes his first American screen appearance as the leading man of the stage show, with a fine voice and pleasing personality. Kitty Carlisle is st newcomer to the screen, but she takes the leading feminine hole like a veteran, having the advantage of a splendid singing voice and an unusuallv charming personality. Music and song, dancing j and beautiful settings are not a background. They are essentially part of a lavish show. The most novel and striking scene is a sea of feathers, from which mermaids rise; and the spectacular “ Ebony Rhapsody ” is a most enjoyable exposition of clever orchestration by the famous Duke Ellington s Band. Altogether, a completely satisfying picture. Box plans at the D.I.C.