HELEN TWELVETREES

Evening Star, Issue 21279, 7 December 1932, Page 7

HELEN TWELVETREES

STAR OF ‘ UNASHAMED : FOR REGENT Foibles of modern youth, infatuation versus reality, and suspense figure in 4 Unashamed/ in which Bayard Veiller, famous author of ‘ The Trial of Mary Dugan’ and ‘The Thirteenth Chair,’ has created another thriller for the screen. . The new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which opens at the Regent on Friday, is remarkable not only for an outstanding characterisation by Helen Twelvetrees and excellent work by a splendid cast, but for the daring originality of the story. The heroine is a millionaire’s daughter, imbued with the modern youth’s idea of “ freedom.” She is infatuated with a fortune hunter. When their marriage is forbidden the two court disgrace, trying to force consent. The brother, learning that his sister has been ruined, kills the lover and faces trial with sealed lips to protect her reputation. The girl must choose — her reputation or her brother’s life. Out of this is woven an amazing bit of dramatic writing, with suspense, mystery, comedy, heart interest, all worked into a remarkable piece of entertainment.

Miss Twelvetrees, in her characterisation, runs the gamut of emotions from a thoughtless flapper to a woman who has tasted the bitter dregs of life. Robert Young is vigorously convincing as the brother, while the fortune-hunt-ing lover is adeptly played by Monroe Owsley. Amazing character work is done by Jean Hersholt as the old Gorman grocer, and Lewis Stone and John Miljan battle as opposing attorneys in the trial scene. Robert Warwick plays the father and Gertrude Michael the brother’s sweetheart.

The supporting programme will include Laurel and Hardy in ‘The County Asylum,’ a long comedy, which is said to be easily the funniest film these priceless fools have yet made..