REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION. The packed house at the Regent Theatre on Saturday night voted the picture “Sweethearts” one of the most brilliant, beautiful and entrancing offerings they had ever seen on the screen. The magnificent beauty of the picture must be seen to be realised. The colouring was outstanding and is certainly the last word in coloured films. “Sweethearts” is a triumph, for all those associated with it. The story is a pretty one and makes an immediate appeal to the audience. There is plenty of scope in it for the glorious voice of Jeanette MacDonald and she eclipses all her past efforts as a singer. and actress. The audience were thrilled with her performance and had the play been enacted on the stage of the Regent Theatre there would doubtless have been witnessed the greatest reception ever given to an actress and singer in Masterton. She displayed acting of the highest standard in her role of Gwen Marlowe, a warm-hearted stage singer. Nelson Eddy as her husband has never acted or sung better, and their combined efforts charmed the audience, for rarely is such a treat provided for them. The story shows that the two are very much in love, but are tired of Del ng stars of this one play. They are bored with the monotony of success and its everlastingaccompaniment of broadcasts, public meetings, and Press interviews. They are toying with the idea of a Hollywood contract and a change of scene; but their stage producer (Frank Morgan) becomes desperate at the thought of losing the principal nuggets in his goldmine. Comic complications—and also some of a romantic nature —rise from the producer’s wily efforts to keep the play running. “Sweethearts” is not a two-artist picture, for several other roles are worthy of special mention, especially those of Frank Morgan (who gives an excellent interpretation of the stage producer), Florence Rice (who enacts a difficult part splendidly), Mischa Auer; Reginald Gardner, Ray Bolger, and Herman Bing. A strong supporting programme is also presented, among vzhich is “Boy’s Town,” a community founded twenty years ago by Father Flanagan, a well known American priest, for homeless boys.