HIGH PRAISE FOR NEW DRAMA

Evening Star, Issue 21076, 13 April 1932, Page 8

HIGH PRAISE FOR NEW DRAMA

•MADELON CLAUDE!' FOR BT. JAMES When a paper of the calibre of the London ‘Times’ hails a, picture as marking “a milestone in filxn progress,” we may take it that that is no mere idle praise, but a sincere tribute to a great film by a great newspaper. That is what ‘ The Tunes said about ‘The Sin of Madelon Claudet, the drama coming to the St. James Theatre on Friday. This film is an outstanding one for many reasons. In the first place, it stars the renowned stage actress, Helen Hayes, and this provides an opportunity of seeing this wonderful woman in a role that has put her at the pinnacle of her fame. Again, there is an amazing cast, headed by that polished artist, Lewis Stone, and including such stellar, players as Neil Hamilton, Cliff Edwards, Jean Hersholt, and Marie Prevost, In her first talkie role, Miss Hayes is seen .as Madelon Claudet, a young French girl, who elopes to Paris with an American artist, only to be bitterly disillusioned in love. When her lover deserts her, Madelon works in a laundry to support her child. Her subsequent experiences in which she first tastes the delights of a life of wealth and luxury, and is subsequently thrown into prison because of her connections with a count who turns out to be a jewel thief, make for a narrative which keeps its audience on the alert every second. Underlying the plot is a stirring theme of mother love, for when Madelon comes out of prison she resorts to the most drastic measures to prevent her record as a gaol bird from ruining her boy’s career. The brilliant direction of Edgar Selwyn is apparent in every scene in this picture, which exemplifies a perfect handling or suspense, surprise climaxes, and a rare feeling for moving and poignant situations. . “The magnificent acting of Helen Hayes is something that no lover of the dramatic art can afford to miss. Nor must the powerful support of Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt be forgotten, nor the skilled assistance or Robert Voung, Cliff Edwards, and Marie Prevost. . . • There is nothing namby-pamby about The Sin of Madelon Claudet.’ Its story within a story is a tragedy worthy of the greatest novelists/’ Thus commented the ‘ New Zealand Herald.’ The ‘ Sun,’ Christchurch, . said: “Helen Hayes must take her place among the greatest stars of filmdom, for it is impossible to remember a.more artistic and convincing interpretation of a really difficult role than that of this actress. . . • From the opening scene till the final one we follow with an absorbing and sometimes almost painful interest this tragedy of a mother’s life enacted in a concentrated selfless devotion to the one cause, and watch her transition from a beautiful K ay young girl to a withered old hag. The spectator is touched by the spectacle, presented with true genius and marvellous versatility by Helen Hayes, of this example of all-powerful motherlove.”