"LILAC TIME." A DELIGHTFUL SHOW.— GAIETY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 35, 13 March 1930, Page 2

"LILAC TIME." A DELIGHTFUL SHOW.— GAIETY.

The Gaiety de Luxe Theatre was packed to capacity last night, when one of First Jlational's greatest productions ever made, entitled "Lilac Time," was presented for its initial performance. Colleen Moore was a uftiversal favourite on the silent picture screen, and on the talkies her ciharm and attractiveness are greatly enhanced. She was the heroine last night and gave an exliibition such as has seldom. been seen. Only an artiste of the greatest skill could liave played the p.art so hrilliantly, and all credit is due to Colleen Moore for the great success which she made jpf the role She was a little French girl fiving hehind the lines Within hearing of . the guns and hiding her tears as the youth of the world went forward ott the wings of the machines that fillied tlie air with their clamour, to their death. Playing opposite Colleen Moore was that great favourite of the scrpen Gary Cooper, whose performance was also of most outstanding merit. OJher well-known stars who completed the distinguis'hed cast were Burr Mclntosh, George' Cooper Clive Moore, Kathiyn McGuire, Eugenie Beserer, Emile Chautard, Jack Stone, Edward Dtllon, Dick Grace and Stuart Knox.. The story was all woven round the 'planes that _ in the time _ of the War leapt,- swooping.and zooming, through rocket-rd'ddened skies with the plavboys of death who don't come back to earth until they are shot down. What romance, what spectacle, what thrill and beautiful love moments as a sweet maiden of Normandy bids her he-mau flier good-hye for perliaps the last time. Words aren't big enough to describe it— -you must see it! The greatest air circus of the age — scoz*es of planes 111 Jeath girps — miles of villages destroyed — tender love moments revealed in all their beauty alid charrn — and all the while the ever-tightening grip of havoc ancl heroism as the most talked of spectacle in recent years unfolds. It was not all serious, however, and the sight of Colleen Moore in a plane bv herself ehasing the boys round the aerodrome with the machine-gun goinq accidentally full blast elicited roars of laughter, and was only one of the many very humorous, situations. One ef the most delightful features of the picture was the singing, while glorihus effects added considerably to its charm. What must be considered as one of _ the finest combinations of all-talking, all-dancing, all-singing "featurettes" yet to support any feature was presented on this ebange of programme. Giovanni.Martinelli, leading tenor of the Metropolitan Opei*a Company, was heard in a solo from Verdi's opera, "Aida," ^Celeste Aida, the setting a hall in Pharaoh's palace. A novelty numher Was seen in "The Serpentine" presenting "The Vitaphone Girls" and featuring Elmira Lane (soprano) offering a novel dance creation accompanied 'by n jazz orchestra. Songs and mnsic offered were (a) "Chinese Lullaby," (b) -"Tbe Doll Dance." Tbe Hearst Newspaper Radio Kids, famous for broadcasting over tbe New York station WJZ, were offered in a song recital of five numbers, and proved a decided hit. The box plans are on view at the theatre. Reservations can also he obtained hv ringing 'phone 3809.