REGENT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21445, 10 April 1935, Page 8

REGENT

"EVELYN PRENTICE"

"The Barretts of Wimpole Street," the screen version of Rudolf Besier's famous play, which stars Charles Laughton, Norma Shearer, and Fredric March, will be screened finally at the Regent Theatre to-morrow night. "Evelyn Prentice," the new Metre* Goldwyn-Mayer picture co-starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, which will be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday, brings this popular team back to the screen for the third time as husband and wife. The story was put into production following th~e universal demand of the motion picture public, which besieged the studios v/ith requests that the stars should be cast together in another picture. Following their astounding success in "Manhattan Melodrama," which marked their first appearance together, and soon after Dashiell Hammett's hilarious detective comedy, "The Thin Map," an energetic search was begun for another suitable vehicle for William Powell and Myrna Loy. The decision finally fell upon the sensational courtroom novel from the pen of W. E. Woodward, who previously had written several exceptionally fine books that promise to live for many years to come. The story of "Evelyn Pren- ! tice" deals with the domestic life of a brilliant criminal lawyer, whose business keeps him continually from his home and family. On the eve of a second honeymoon to Europe the lawyer's wife becomes deeply enmeshed in a scandalous murder case from which her husband alone can extricate her. William Powell plays the, finest role of his career as John Prentice. Myrna Loy, as his wife, Evelyn Prentice, unquestionably establishes herself among the top ranks oC the stars to which she was so recently elevated following her appearances in "Manhattan Melodrama," "The Thin Man," and "Stamboul Quest." Una Merkcl, one of the screen's best comedians, is seen as Amy D rex el, the vivacious widow, who is a friend of Evelyn Prentice. Box plans arc now open at the D.I.C.

THEATRE ROYAL

"HAVANA WIDOWS" AND

"VIENNESE NIGHTS"

"Havana Widows" is a brilliant little comedy that rushes headlong through a succession of irresistibly amusing events and situations. Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondcll, both excellent comedy actresses, and very pretty, too, are in Havana, trying to catch millionaire?. They arc doing very satisfactory work with Guy Kibbee, when a very tough gentleman arrives from New York with a peremptory demand for the 1500 dollars that he has lent the girls. It would be hard to !ind a comedy that crams so much humour into such a short time. As well as the players mentioned Ihc cast includes Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Lylc Talbot, and Ruth Donnelly. It is a sparkling collection of comedians, acting with perfect ease and finish.

After this appetising little hors d'oeuvre comes "Viennese Nights," the most popular talkie ever made. The music of Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein the second has certainly found a lasting place in public favour, and the beautiful filming of the story, all in technicolour, combines with it to make a picture which has, it seems, a never-waning appeal. It is amazing what a wealth of fine music has been provided here in one picture; and the manner in which the principals, Alexander Gray and Vivienne Segal, have combined fine singing and dramatic skill is indeed a triumph.

THE PLAZA

"BRITISH AGENT"

A particularly dramatic portion of recent history, the results of which have reached far, has been drawn on for the story of "British Agent," which is now being shown at the Plaza Theatre. It is fair to say of this picture that it has three great virtues. The first has been mentioned; the second is the fine acting and the very pleasant speaking voice of Leslie Howard in the main part, and the third is the very competent work of the subsidiary characters and of the producer. "We Live Again" showed the Russia of the days of the Tsars; "British Agent" is a logical sequel, showing the overthrow of the Tsarist, regime. Its basis in fact is well established, the major part of the material having been drawn, even down to individual remarks, from R. H. Bruce Lockhart's account of his diplomatic experiences in Russia at the time. The revolution has caused the removal of the British embassy from Petrograd, Stephen Locke (Leslie Howard) being left there alone, without power and without assistance. The necessity of some action, v/hen Russia was threatening to sign a separate peace with Germany and release the latter's troops for action on the Western front at a crucial stage, leads the British Government to accord Locke power to act, but unofficially. He meets and falls in love with Elena (Kay Francis), a young aristocrat converted to Bolshevism, and almost fanatic in her devotion to the cause and to Lenin. There is then a perpetual bitter conflict, between her love for Locke and the necessity of betraying him, in his work to overthrow the provisional Government and persuade Russia to re-enter the war, a conflict in which her patriotism holds the upper hand.

"THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP"

All the genius of the famous master is brought to the screen in "The Old Curiosity Shop," which will be shown at both the Plaza and Theatre Royal shortly. No more powerful example of the author's great understanding of his characters could possibly be found than this brilliant screen adaptation presents, and, it is said, if Dickens himself could have directed the film version he could scarcely have made a more faithful or entertaining reproduction ef the original. But mention must be made of the portrayals of the cast. Elaine Benson makes a superlative little Nell, and Ben Webster is almost perfect as Grandfather Trent. Others include Hey Petrie as Daniel Quilp, Gibb McLaughlin, and Lily Long.

GRAND

"PENTHOUSE"

Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy are the featured players in "Penthouse," the excellent dramatic production which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. It is a delightful talking picture adaptation of the novel by Arthur Somers Roche. As a scion of an aristocratic New York family, and a society lawyer who chooses to defend notorious "racketeers," Warner Baxter gives an outstandingly fine performance, one of the best of his long screen career. As Gertie Waxted, a beautiful night club girl, Myrna Loy surpasses many of her triumphs in previous productions. Mae Clarke, the Broadway stage favourite, lills a featured role as Mimi.