'COQUETTE'

Evening Star, Issue 20372, 2 January 1930, Page 11

'COQUETTE'

MARY PICKFORD'S FIRST TALKIE Considerable interest is being nianifested in,Mary Bickford’s first talkie, < Coquette,’ which will bo presented at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Miss Bickford occupies a pre-eminent position in tho film world, and to mark this auspicious event every child attending the matinees throughout the. season will be presented with an art photograph of Miss Bickford—a photogi aph worthy of being framed and kept as a memento. To hear Mary Bickford and to see her in this newest picture is said to be a revelation. The old Mary, with her curls and her little girl dresses, is gone for ever. The new Mary of ‘ Coquette ’ is the last word in smart young womanhood —■ close-cut bob, Baris frocks, high-heeled slippers, and everything. Bun now and then the little girl, who is gone but not forgotten, peeks out from behind the young woman who has taken her >uco. No transformation can eradicate the piquant sweetness and wistful smile which belong to “America’s sweetheart. ’ With the same decision with which she cut off her curls and tucked away her childish past Miss Bickford has selected the most dramatic and powerful of the current Broadway stage successes as the first screen expression of her new self. As Norma Besant, tho belle of a small town, Miss Bickford reveals great appeal and force. She portrays the emotional development of this little flirt from gay girlhood to tragic womanhood with remarkable understanding and fin esse. To complete the characterisation of tiio girl from the Southern States of America Miss Bickford has acquired tho peculiar drawl of tho South. ‘Co quettq ’ is the love story of a. modern girl, who dances, kisses, flirts, and plays in the moonlight, making a grand and glorious game of life. One day she meets a man from a different world, a serious young mountaineer. Michael Jeffrey loves,Norma as she hm nevet been loved before, and refuses to play her “come hither ” gam of insincerity. Suddenly Norma realises that she Inythis gallant stranger with an emot' which frightens her. Her father, a gentleman of-an old school, orders them to separate/ John Mack Brown, Alabama s ex-foothnll star, makes an excellent Michael. John gives a portrayal of tho father, vivid in the force of its quiet sincerity. William Janncrv is excellent as the younger hro ther of the little coquette, and Matt Moore gives n realistic piece of acting as tho quiet, faithful lover Stanley George Irving, Louise Beavers, Bhyllis Crane, and Joe Dopew are excellent in minor roles.