AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20647, 9 September 1932, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "THE MIRACLE MAN." Impressive in its dramatic qualities, and treated with an extraordinarily deft and delicate touch by its distinguished cast of actors, "The Miracle Man," which opens a season at the Theatre Royal to-morrow, will make a great appeal to all theatregoers. As a' Bilent picture Prank Packard's powerful story gained world-wide recognition, but those who have had the privilege of seeing this film as a "talkie" agree that only by the use of sound and voice can full justice be done to the dramatic situations which it holds in full measure. Norman McLeod, the director, adds to an already considerable reputation by his handling of this production. The theme of "The Miracle Man" is generally well known. The story commences with the operations of a gang of criminals in an American city ttnemeut quarter. The leader is John Madison, played by Chester Morris, who has lately come into prominence in several important 61ms. In his power is Helen Smith, played by Sylvia Sidney, a young actress who has also won considerable recognition in recent films, but Madison is compelled to flee from the city when he seriously injures an admirer of the girl, Boris Karloff. Madison arrives in the small town of Meadville with the intention of escaping the police. When he is there, he learns that "The Patriarch," a faith healer, played by Hobart Bosworth, has had remarkable success in healing the ailing, and he immediately sees an opportunity for his gang to defraud sufferers by exploiting the powers of the faith healer. The consequence is that Helen Smith and the confidence trickster of the city, "The Frog," a pseudo cripple and Harry Evans, a pickpocket, descend upon Mcadville. From the outset, the criminals are given every opportunity to gain their ends, and they are in a position to decamp with a considerable sum of money won from unsuspecting invalids.when they witness the cure of a crippled boy by the hcnlcr All but the leader of the gang, Madison are impressed by the significance of the' event, and remain in Mettdville to assist in the work of the small community. The film reaches a conclusion when Madison attempts to influence his .former followers against the power of the faith healer, but he yields to the spiritual aid when the hpaler, immediately before his death announces that he know the intentions of the criminals when they first attempted to exploit him. ~ ... The characterisations of the principals. Tlobart Bosworth, Miss Sidney, and Chester Morris, are impressive, the more so as they have exceedingly difficult parts, from a technical point of view, to play. Miss Sidney s redemption is portrayed charmingly, and with a restraint that is r.dmiinble in every way. A sinister and domineering figure Chester Morris could not be better. Hobart Bosworth gives a memorable exposition or the part of the faith healer. Others in the cast are Irving Pichel, John Wray, Ned Sparks, and Lloyd Hughes.