CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 11

CRYSTAL PALACE.

"MANTRAP" AND "DON'T." A GOOD PROGRAMME Significance is attached to the title chosen for the leading picture, at the Crystal Talace Theatre this week. The eternal triangle, flirtations, a pursuit through the "great open spaces," and a reconciliation —these are some of the themes dealt with in this Victor Fleming production. It proves some popular beliefs to be all astray. That gentleman prefer 1 blondes is one of them, for V'lar:-, Bow, who is Alverna, the apex of the triangle, and the centre, of all the other incidents mentioned, is a decided brunette. The story really pours a little ridicule on (he "great open spaces" subject, and ends P'.ijsibiy more naturally than the majority expect. It concerns the exploits of a "big boy from away back," in the hectic wild of Minneapolis, end the appeal he has for a little manicurist, who uses her eyes outrageously. Then, of course, they wed, and repair to Mantrap, a trappers' post in the Hudson Bay Company's country. Enters the third element in the triangle, when two city men camping in the woods quarrel, and one of them, a divorce lawyer, accepts the hospitality of the log cabin of the backwoodsman. It is not so easy for the young barrister to withstand the girl's disconcerting glances, but theso are the mildest of the advances she makeH almost openly. When he sits on the doorstep, guarding the household with a revolver against the Unwelcome attentions of thieving Indians, sho creeps to hia side and almost makes him forget that to encourage her is not honourable. There are four weeks in which he has to steel himself, and at the end of it all, when he departs for New York, Alverna insists on joining him in the canoe. In the blistering portages, the hardships of the long journey, and the starvation which all but leave their bones to bleach on the river's edge, sho proves her worth. It would not bo. fair to give particulars of the pursuit and its outcome, or of the part played by a blonde who is concerned about alimony and the custody of a Cadillac. To the end the picture, holds tho interest, and the amazing success of Clara Bow, who has the principal feminine part, in an entirely new role, is one of its most pleasiug features. Ernest Torrance has tho part of the simple backwoodsman, and Percy Marmont that of the bored city lawyer, a. role in which he is quite effective.

"Don't" is an amusing comedy-drama of modern American life, with Sally O'Neil, John Patrick, and Bert Eoach in leading parts. It ie dedicated to the American flapper, who is, as everywhere clue, auch a groat influence in bringing life and cheer to thoß6 lacking the sparkle of youth. She is introduced in a cloud of confetti as the heroine of a terrific basket-ball match, and shocks the angular matron who has charge of the morals of tho school so thoroughly that she is told when the vacation begins, not to come back. When she rejoins her family and they visit tho "goofy house" at one of the amusement resorts, they have a series of breathless and hilarious adventures. Through the picture runs the irresistible optimism and certainty of youth. The supporting pictures include a, good graphic and something to amuse the children.

An excellent programme of selected items i» played by the Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr Alfred J. Bunz.