"SOULS FOR SABLES."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 19

"SOULS FOR SABLES."

A FORCEFUL PLAY. CRYSTAL PALACE,. MONDAY. Soula (or sables sounds a lery one-sided bargain on the face of thing*, hut psychology has a lot to do with it, and whan everything i« taken into consideration at the and it is not so surprising as it might sound at firtt. "Souls for Sables" is the starring feature at the Crystal Palace Theatre on Monday, and with Eugene O'Brien and Claire Windsor in tho two leading roles, with Clairo Adams playing an important supporting part, the picture has many aspects to invite extensive patronage. It is a compelling and forceful drama of modern life in one of its moro pronounced phases, told with a wealth of discernment and vision, and yet never neglecting the light and humorous touches which make or mar a fihotoplay. The picture presents a faecinatng question which has often arisen, tho frequent query that ess *> woman, reared in the lap of luxury, live peacefully with her poorer husband, while all around her, friends and acquaintances, are flaunting tLeir wealth before her eyes. The picture is, »t bottom, psychological drama of the finest type, but its rare comedy and lyric romance, together with the lavish and maqniflccnt manner of its production, make it a gorgeous and brilliant spectacular film as well The acting in this picture ia of a particularly clever ard artistio order, that of Eugene O'Brien being outstanding for calm strength and dramatic restraint. Claire Windsor plays with charming grace, whilo Claire Adams is natural and effective in her part. The celebrated Gilda Grav, although not, perhaps, to well-known In theo parts as aha is in America, plays the title role in "Aloma of the South Seas," the second picture. Gilda Gray is a brilliant and daitling danesr, specialising in native and aesthetio danoing, and her art has won for her universal acclamation. This ia her finest picture, and she has proved that her talents are not solely confined to the terpaichorean art. "Aloma of the South Seas" ia a romanea of ths Southern Isles, a romance with a dlfferancs. There is no striving after impossible effect in this story; always the eminently life-like touch is apparent, and sentimental inai'ity is fearlessly sacrified at the expanse of realism; Percy Marmond plays a difficult part with his usual artistry and fine discretion, and William Powell is vivid and effective as a degenerate beachcomber. The production is notable for its scenic beauty and splendour. ~,_• The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bum, will play a special programme of orchestral music, including the Ww*™* numbers: —Overture, "Humore.«que' (Alford), "Adagio" (Beethoven), "Siegfried" (Wasrner), "Redemption" (Franek), "Werther" (Mas•enet), "Andantino" (Leroare). "Bolero (Billi), "Sad Hawaiian 6«a" (Roberta). "Love In Hawaii" (Berg), "Alwaye" (Berlin. Ihe box plans are. now open at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may bo reserved.