STORY OF ANY FAMILY

Evening Star, Issue 21100, 12 May 1932, Page 7

STORY OF ANY FAMILY

• OVER THE HILL' A REFRESHING CHANGE It is wonderful what a refreshing change one will find ‘ Over the Hill,’ the talkie coming to the St. James Theatre to-morrow. There is none of the taint of ultra-sophistication. Though it is evident that the producers have put their every effort and resource toward the perfecting of the film, there is none of that vulgar.display of enormous expense which characterises other films. ‘ Over the Hill ’ is the story of an ordinary American family. Yet so true is the story and so real its acting that one cannot help seeing mirrored one’s own family, or the family next door, so faithfully are depicted the happiness, pathos, disappointment, pride, parental and filial affection and devotion, and the occasional instances of baseness; that constitute any family the world over. After twelve years’ absence from the screen, Mae Marsh makes a remarkable return to play a role she makes really lovable—that of “Ma ” Shelby. Other actresses have shown how difficult it is to grow from comparative youth to white old age in a screen character, but there is not a flaw in Mae Marsh’s effort. As a young mother she is absorbed in her family, and as its members grow up She assumes the cares of each individual and ages visibly. Hers is a wonderful characterisation. James Kirkwood is the weak but rather likeable old 11 Pa ” Shelby. James Dunn, as Johnny, the apple of his mother’s eye, establishes himself firmly ,as an actor of the first class. His is a wonderful role of frank, honest devotion, and one can hardly restrain a persistent urge to cheer and applaud his every act of sacrifice for his family and tenderness for his mother. Sally Eilers would seem never to have been seen to real advantage before, for as the delightful sweetheart who waits devotedly for Johnny, she excels even the roles which have previously brought her prominence.