‘THE MAN IN POSSESSION'

Evening Star, Issue 20986, 28 December 1931, Page 8

‘THE MAN IN POSSESSION'

BRILLIANT COMEDY FOR EMPIRE Robert Montgomery is starred in ‘ The Man in Possession,’ the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature which will open at the Empire Theatre on New Year’s Day. The iplay from which the picture was adapted is one of the most recent _ works from the pen of the distinguished British author who wrote such successes as ‘ The Mask,’ ‘The Hotel Mouse,’ and ‘The Whiteheaded Boy.’ Heading the supporting cast is the elongated Charlotte Greenwood, stage comedienne, who recently added to her laurels with outstanding screen roles in ‘ Parlour, Bedroom, and Bath,’ and ‘ Stepping Out.’ In the new film she plays the part of an English maid with an especial dislike and mistrust for the new butler, the part played by Montgomery. Irene Purcell, New York stage actress, plays the romantic lead opposite Montgomery in the new film. Miss Purcell, who won overwhelming success in the New York production of ‘Dancing Partner,’ recently _ repeated this role with William Haines in the screen version titled ‘ Just a Gigolo.’ Others in the imposing cast are C. Aubrey Smith, of ‘ Impersonating _ a Lady ’ fame; Beryl Mercer, distinguished character actress who last played l in 1 The Public Enemy ’; Reginald Owen, who recently starred on the stage in ‘Candlelight’; Alan Mowbray, who last played in ‘Topaz’ on the stage; Maude Eburne Forrester Harvey, and Yorke Sherwood, noted British players. The locale of the story is in England and Montgomery plays the part of the young ne’er-do-well, who becomes a sheriff’s deputy, serving _ attachment writs. His duty takes him into the home of a ravishing widow, and l he is persuaded to impersonate a butler to spare her the humiliation of having an attachment guard in her house during an important dinner party. There are many hilarious highlights, climaxed in the ousting of the widow’s suitors and admirers. Of course the butler wins the lady fair, amid gay circumstances. The dialogue is sprightly and effervescent ' and the _ story moves smartly with a sophisticated motivation. It is charmingly set in an English cottage and the costumes and backgrounds are especially worthy of comment.

SINGING ORGANIST ENGAGED. The Empire Theatre has engaged Paul Cullen, the singing organist, to play at the theatre for a season, and lie will make his first appearance on Friday next. Mr Cullen has had engagements at the Do Luxe Theatre, Wellington, and the Regent Theatre, Auckland, and has proved a strong attraction to the public. He possesses a beautiful tenor voice, and sings his numbers .while playing; the organ*