CRYSTAL PALACE TALKIES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19813, 28 December 1929, Page 6

CRYSTAL PALACE TALKIES.

t "CHARMING SINNERS.** GREAT TALKIE ON MONDAY. Although Crystal Palace Theatre ha?, since its elevation to the dignity of a "sound and taliing"_ house, presented many excellent films, it lias not yet screened anything like the brilliant "Charming Sinners." -which opens a season on Monday. The story is by Somerset Maugham, the leading roles are clayed by Ruth Chatterton. Clive Brook, William Powell, and Mary Nolan, and the whole thing leaves behind it an aroma of wit, wisdom, smartness, and sophistication. The story is simple enongh, as stories go. Two husbands and two wives get their affections entangled, and only one out of the quartet preserves her equilibrium, her sense of humour, and her vision. It is left to her competent hands to handle every situation that arise?, and not only that, bit to outramp the vamp and to win her husband back again. However, Clive Brook plays this errant spouse, so no doubt that had a lot to do with Rnth Chatterton's determination. It is the old domestic drama from a new angle, told with new rest, given new life. Ruth Chatterton and Clive Brook carry off the acting honours, though William Powell, in a rather more sentimental role than he usually plays, is most pleasing. The supporting pictures are equally good. A comedy, entitled "If Men Played Cards as Women Do" is a witty satire on female bridge fiend?. Among the shots in the News of the World is an interesting film of a pilgrimage to Lourdes, in France, with thousands of devout cripples at the shrine. The box plans for the season are at The Bristol Piano Company, but will be at the theatre during the closed holidays.