ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20273, 26 June 1931, Page 3

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

"MIN AND BILL.»» MARIS DEESSLER'B TEIUMPH. By her acting in "Mm and Bill," which is now at St. James', Maria Dressier deserves to bo called the "female Charlie Chaplin," for she blsnds comedy and pathos with perfect artistry. Thanks to her acting and that of Wallace Beery, who plays opposite her and is almost as great; an artist, the film is saved from ever becoming sordid. It is impossible in-writing to do justice to the superb acting of Marie Dressier; to describe the way in which the "old sea cow" achieves really laughable comedy without ever descending to the ludicrous or unnatural, or reaches the height of pathos with, a look or an inflection of the voice. She of course makes the picture, but Wallace Beery is a perfect rough diamond as Bill, too "dumb to be anything but honest," and living in very gr ea t f ear of the awe-inspiring Mm. Marjorie Rambeau takes the part of Bella, and instils into this unpleasant role ao much natwal unpleasantness that she falls .not far short of Marie Dressier in merit. ■ - ... Tha box plajj at The Bristol Piano Company.