AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 155, 2 July 1937, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"DREAMING LIPS." I EMBASSY. Guby Elisabeth Bergner Miguel lie Vuvu .... Raymond Massey IVter Kurnirr Brent Christine Joyce Bland Mrs. Stan way .. . Sydney Fairbrother Sir Kobert Blaker .... Kelix Aylmor The Philosopher .... Donald Calthrop Director : Paul dinner. Producer : Max Sehach. Trafalgar. Rarely has one character so dominated a play or story bo completely as Elisabeth Bergner dominates "Dreaming Lip«s," the picture that made her famous in the Old world, and in which ehe appeared for the first time in Auckland at the Embassy Theatre last night. Whimsical, loveabl'e and tragic to suit her role, ehe has in her own right a strangely magnetic appeal ! which its as much her perfect art as her natural self. "Dreaming Lips'' for the i next week or more is likely to be the Mecca of a great portion of the women of the community, and of those who get a thrill from perfect acting. The etory ie one that women will revel in, be:ng really a study of that not unusual but frequently tragic blend in a woman of mother-love and hero love which is rarclv understood by the mere male, who ie apt to diemiee it as "just another triangle." Elisabeth Bergner as Gaby makes it more than that, and with her great art.istry eliminates all trace of sordinese from the ability to romp with and manage her likeable husband in momenta of intimate matrimonial irresponsibility, and yet in the privacy of her thoughts to hug a great passion for another man who came later into her life. Deep emotion is the keynote of the story's appeal, human interest invested with no meretricious glamour beyond the wonderful effect of the richt word spoken at the right moment, with here and there a speaking eilence filled in with a glorious study of facial expression. Some of the most beautiful moments of the story show Gaby in times of reverie when her secret thoughts are revealed by the play of thoughts and emotions appearing in her face, and then one understands the aptness o r the title "'Dreaming Lips.' , In Romney Brent as the husband, and Raymond M.i-=sey as the other man. Elisabeth Bergner has notable support, but she remains the haunting memory of a picture which is outstanding for the beauty of its camera, sound and general effects, as well as for the great acting in the central roles. Comedy and Unlit musical entertainment in a "quiet night" in a house of horrors, a most amusing Mickey Mouse J item, and numbers from British music I hall and radio bills, contribute to the I general attraction of the Embassy pro- ! gramme. CITY SHOWS. Picture programmes showing at <ity theatres are as follow:—St. Janice': "The j Last of Mi*. Cheyney." starring .Joan Crawford, Kobert Montgomery and Wil- ! Ham Powell. Regent: Second week of 1"A Star Is Born." with Janet (Jaynor I and Frcdric March. Embassy: Elisabeth , Beigner, Raymond Massey and Romney ; Brent in the tragedy "Dreaming Lips" ' Civic: Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurrar in "Swing High, Swing Low." ; Majestic: Gracie Fields in her latest 'comedy. "The Show Goes On." Plaza: , Rav Milland and Heather Angel in "Bulldeg Drummond Escapes." Strand: '"Head Over Heels." National: Charles Rujrgles in "Mind Your Own Business" and "O'Rilcy'rf Luck." Str.r. Karangahape : Road: "Our Relations." Rox.v and Tivoli: "We Have Our Moments" and "Time Out ■ fur Romance." State. Syinonde Street: Eleanor Powell in "Born to Dance."