AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18901, 17 January 1927, Page X

AMUSEMENTS.

" MANTRAP."

A GOOD-HUMOURED SATIRE,

CEYSTAL TALACK, TO-PAY. Clara Bow may not bo a blonde, but, with dusky locks and a pair 01 sparkling eyes, she enslaves many a helpless and unsuspecting male. In "Mantrap," 'be Paramount comedy-drama which opens at tho Crystal Palaco Theatre to-day, she lias a typically alluring role, but, with hcr< elevation to stardom, she has discarded a number of her trick mannerisms, and, *iprieciating tho really solid story given |icr, has played her part with excellent dramatic and humorous effect. "Mantrap" is a subtly clever and vastly amusing satire on the , "great open spaces" subject, and ft likewise brilliant satire on tho theme of the eternal triangle, which, for all this sardonic humour of treatment and eatirical bandinage, arc refreshingly intelligent. Tho producers of I tho picture have put intelligence firit in | making it, and the happy result makes for something different in screen diversion. Ccming from the mature pen of Sinclair Lewis, the story boars the imprint o! drama, which element has been skilfully embellished by a clever director with boldly original heart, interest. Although the story holds one's attention throughout, it is amazing the alteration effeoted in her technique by Clara Bow, which is the most arresting feature in the picture. Although her brilliant personality loses none of its piquant appeal, she is no longer the somewhat flamboyantly sophisticated young person of other films. She is an artist with an appreciation of the artistic. She is supported by Ernest Torranco and Percy Marmont, the former humorous and wholly likeable as the rugged character from tho Canadian backwoods, and the latter polished, bored, a weary divorco lawyeri playing a difficult role with effective simplicity. Sally O'Neill, who has made a meteoric rise in the film world, stars in "Don't," the second picture, a whirling, breathless comedy-drama of ultra-modern life, with a snap and ft sparklo imparted as much by this actress's personality as by the brilliant little story itßelf. In a dramatic scene, Miss O'Neill is never at a loss, and in the comedy sequences she takes tho matter into her own capable, modern, young hands, and the standard of the pkturo. is raised accordingly. "Don't" is a clover comedy, basically solid and thoughtful, but which looks most optimistically upon this best of all possible of worlds, which after all to the youth thereof. John Patrick plays the chief supporting volo, with nonchalant ease and effectiveness. Tho Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will play a selected orchestral programme, including tho following numbers: Overture, "Mignon" (Thomas); "Quite" (Lalo): "In tho Steppes of Central Asia'' (Borodinc); "Don't Wako Mo Up" (Jolson); "Don't Waste Your Tears" (Jolson); "Don't Cry, Swanncc" (Jolson); "Don't Bring Lulu, But Do" (Cohen); "Don't Blame It All On Me" (Cohen): "Don't be Too Sure" (Cohen); "Don't Mind lru> Rain" (Cohen). The box plans are at Tho Bristol Piano Company, where seals may be reserved.