GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 6

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Fast, clever, and humorous, there is much to attract in Gloria Swaasou's new comedy, "What a Widow," which began Its season at tho lirand Opera House last night; That pace in movement and sophistication which marks (lie American film comedy to-day Is hero | tshown at its best or near-beat, and thero Is Inn addition to tlio fun by the oddity of characters. A young widow, married only1 once and then to a sixty-year-old invalid, unds herself the possessor of five million dollars and sets out to sco life. Llfo mcaus Tails and Paris naturally means men. A Russian violinist,, n professional dancer, and a Spanish baritone are among Her conquests, and round tho fringe hovers a devoted American boy (Owcu Mooro) who suffers from the disadvantage of being the lady's lawyer. Thero are ultra-modern settings, smart dresses, and all the extravagance of a rich American in Paris, but midst these surroundings tho action moves to the old tune of love and jealousy. And of course, thero is singing by Gloria Swanson, too, and her voice is moro than ordinary. Naturally tlie film reaches a satisfactory conclusion, and tlio great Do X flying boat is commandeered by the producer to provide the wedding trip. So that after all the sophistication of modern lifo dissolves into conventional bliss.' Before this, however, there is such a string of entertaining situations that the spectator wonders what is coming next. Alan Dwan who produced the picture has mado full use of tlio cuniura to explain and. enlarge tho scene on which the comedy is played and there arc many interesting effects which help to heighten tho reaction to' tho film. Tho bustle of tho departure of the llnor, tho parties given in Parisian apartments, these are well done. In support tuero are some interesting 111 ms, a Grantland nice Sportlight whlcli shows Irvine Cobb, tho American humorist talking of fishing, a. Universal Nowsrool, aud British Instructional film of remarkable plant photography. Tlio programme will be repeated until Thursday evening next.