"POPPIES OF FLANDERS" AND "SHOW GIRL" AT GAIETY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 78, 4 May 1929, Page 2

"POPPIES OF FLANDERS" AND "SHOW GIRL" AT GAIETY.

What is recognised in the cinema world as two of tlie linest productions produced during the 1929 season, "Poppies of Flandei-s" and "Show Girl" comes to the Gaiety JDe Luxe this evening with the management's personal guarantee as the most noteworthy combination presented for a very long while. If there are still some who a-efuse to believe that- Great Britain can produce films equal to, and in many cases better than, the best of foreign productions, "Poppies of Flanders" provides another and a very striking answer. Swiftly following the Ring, this screen story hy "Sapper"^ marks another success for the practically new British firm responsible for it. Despite its great length, ten reels, there is not a dull moment in tlie particularly sincere story of a bad lot's reclamation when duty called. The story opens in Rhodesia, where a remittance man (once a Guards officer) is slowly drinking liimself to death. Ilis case is hopeless until an English girl persuades him she loves him and appeals to his better self. He pulls up only to find that the girl has pretended affection to save him if possible. Then he appears to slip back. War breaks out, and he enlists to give his own life on "Flanders field" for that of the other man. Arthur Maude's production work is strikingly sincere and masterly. Among the fine incidents are the departure of a leave train, an advance "over the top," the destruction of an enemy macliine gun nest in a deserted farmliouse, and the final death of the unconventional hero. Thero is no "flag-wagging," 110 sob-stuff, 110 blatant heroics. The settings are generally good, and the actual military episodes true to life. There is suflicient comedy of a good type, but this is not allowed to intrude. In the leading role, Jameson Thomas gives a fine perfoi'mance as the man wlio "makes good." A new madcap, peppier than any flapper, liit-s the screen in First National's "Show Girl." Alice Wliite in her new vehicle has been instantaneously successful everywhere the picture shows, even if she does make spectatons gasp a bit! "Show Girl" is an adaptation of the sensational bestseller of that title by J. P. McEvoy, and was directed by Alfred SantellCharles Delaney plays opposite Miss Wliite, and Gwen Lee is importantly cast at the head of a choice group of film comedians, ineluding Lee Moran, Ivate Price and James Finlayson. "Show Girl" is a jazzy, bubbling and fascinating story of New York's show world and the night club region. It sparkles and breathes tlie very spirxt of the niglit clubs and the mysterious regions behind the scenes and rips the ribbon off the private love letters of Broadwav's most famous Follies queen. What with another sensational chapter of "Tarzan, the Miglity," a recordbreaking season can be looked forwnrd to. Seats may be reserved at Hyde's or by ringiug 'phone 2551 to 3809.