"THESE THREE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 12

"THESE THREE."

EMBASSY THEATRE ATTRACTION. "It is certain that no more dramatically satisfying or more unusual film has 1 ever been produced than 'These Three/ " wrote a leading American critic about the Samuel Goldwyn production, which will start at the Embassy Theatre. This critic continues: "Indeed, the film is so unusual in plot structure that it can fittingly be termed sensational, though this is scarcely surprising, in view of the fact that it is taken from the play by Lillian Hellman, which during the past year has provoked more discussion and controversy than any other American theatrical venture." The starring parts in "These Three," it is said, are brilliantly taken by Merle Oberon, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea. Merle Oberon is described as being particularly outstanding, more than fulfilling the dramatic promise she gave 111 "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and more recently in "'The Dark Angel." But while these three adults are directly concerned as the objectives of the plot, it is created, carried on and brought to completion by two little children. In those roles, superb performances are contributed by two girls, Bonita Granville and Marcia Mae Jones. Nevertheless, this is not a "children's picture," .though its subject matter and the moral it draws are such that it is suitable for universal exhibition, and, indeed, carries a censorship certificate to ■that effect. The story tells how Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins, the closest of friends, start a school for girls. Joel McCrea, a young doctor, falls in love with Merle Oberon, and it is evident that Miriam Hopkins also has a silent affection for him. The innocent relationship of these three happy young people is the cause of a whispering campaign started by' an evil-minded little girl, which grows to the proportions of a public scandal that threatens to wreck all their lives. As the lying, vicious little girl, Bonita Granville is so convincing a "menace" that she has been likened by one reviewer to "a little Charles Laughton." There will be an excellent supporting programme, in which Walt Disney "is said to be at the peak ' ol his genius with "Three Orphan Kit- ' tens," a new coloured Silly Symphony.