HERE’S SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 69, 15 December 1931, Page 32 (Supplement)

HERE’S SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Universal offers “Mother’s Millions” as typical of what public is looking for. There seems no doubt that the talkies are due for a change in style. Most everyone in the motion picture business is agr< that the talkies, merely, as talkies, have lost their novelty and that theatre-goers are to-day “shopping” for their entertainment. Pictures with novelty, attractions possessing new ideas, productions opening up a new avenue of interest . . . these are the big surprises of the now dying season, and they furnish an indication of what the new season is to bring. "Seed” and “Dracula” are instances in point. Caa Laemmle, of Universal Pictures, very boldly offers a solution of the what-to-see and where-to-go theatrical problem, in the new motion picture production, “Mother’s Millions,” which will be screened at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, commencing Christmas Day. It isn’t a crime picture, it isn’t a gangster picture, it isn’t a sophisticated picture in any way, and yet it is human to the 'nth degree and highly dramatic as well as tremendously funny and full of surprises. The skilful playing of May Robson, for whom it was originally written as a stage play, has almost placed it in the category of a comedy, and certainly it is comedy tt a certain type. It might even be classifed with such productions as “Caught Short” and “Reducing” in this respect. “Mother’s Millions” was produced by Universal Pictures. James Flood directed it, and the supporting cast includes James Hall, Lawrence Gray, Frances Dade and Edmund Breese. Carl Laemmle is justifiably proud of the privilege of presenting this latest screen Comedienne, May Robson.

The sinister menace of a ruthless gangster leader dominates the action of “Homicide Squad,” Universal’s exciting police drama. And it is the members of his own gang who stand in greatest fear of him. They are the ones who know best the extent of his pitiless cruelty, and who have seen certain of their companions in the “mob” shot down by their leader at the first sign of disloyalty. This role of Louie Grenado is played by Leo Carrillo, famous stage actor, who is said to have brought to the screen one of its most powerful characterisations.