PLAZA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 15

PLAZA THEATRE

Film audiences have become accustomed by now to Hollywood sometimes laughing at itself. Many excellent film satires on the customs and foibles of Hollywood as a whole have been presented on the screen, but "The Great Profile,” now at the Plaza Theatre, is the first instance of an actor deliberately satirizing himself. John Barrymore, hero of many exciting romances in the days of his youth, and of many perfect characterizations in later days, now turns almost buffoon in his current film, when he takes the part of Evans Garrick, once leading actor and now down and out because of his weakness for drink. Garrick’s film contract is cancelled. Sylvia, his yottng’wife, leaves him and Mefoofsky, his manager, washes his hands of him. Mary Maxwell, a youthful playwright, has written a worthless play which her fiance is willing to back. She submits it to Garrick, who agrees to appear in it, because by offering his wife the lead, he hopes she will return to him. The play is, of course, a “flop,” and after a deadly first act, Garrick once more drowns his sorrows in a bottle. Going on in the second act he promptly turns the play into a burlesque, and concerts it into a howling success. Mary is disgusted. and Sylvia once more goes to Reno for the divorce. Mary then tries to reform Garrick, who for a time responds to her treatment, with the dire result that the show is once more a failure. Garrick pretends to love Mary, which make_s her fiance extremely jealous. Sylvia, hearing the latest news, hurries back from Rcuo, crashes the theatre during the show, and takes her errant husband in hand, with hilarious results. John Barrymore is in his element in the leading role. He is perfectly cast and carries the film on his shoulders. Gregory Ratoff is immensely amusing as the excitable manager, and rivals the star himself in the number of laughs for which he is responsible. Mary Beth Hughes is glamorous and capable as Sylvia the young wife, while supporting roles are well carried out by Ann Baxter, John Payne. Ed. Brophy. Willie Fung and Joan Valerie.

The film contains many laughs and the characterization throughout is excellent. The settings are on a lavish scale and are, naturally, mostly taken up with back-stage themes. Amon- many good supports, special mention should be made of “Temple Tactics,” a drama of old Japan told in humorous vein.