THE PICTURE OF THE YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 21569, 15 November 1933, Page 11

THE PICTURE OF THE YEAR

‘THE GOOD COMPANIONS’ FOR GRAND Something very much out of the ordinary for the entertainment of its patrons is promised Grand Theatre patrons when the film version of J. B. Priestley’s ‘ The Good Companions ’ is presented on November 24. In grading the film “ A.A.A.” and awarding ic the gold cup , for excellence, ‘ Smith’s Weekly’ says: “‘The Good Companions ’ is incomparably the finest talking picture that has so far come out of England; more than this, and regardless of its origin, it is the best film in its own field that we have so far seen. Perhaps the most significant of its many distinctions is the fact that it has been so perfectly directed, so exquisitely acted, that it is impossible to pick out any dominating star. “ All through the picture the simple and joyous humour trembles on the verge of deeper emotion, laughter that almost brings tears, not of sadness, but of the plain happiness, snatched between plain sorrows of fellow-beings. The smallest episode has .been carefully drawn, the smallest character faithfully given a life of its own. Tor instance, a man opening a street door becomes invested with a rich and separate personality; even the salesman of a nnisia firm is so distinct in his manner that he lingers in the mind long after the dozeu words or so that he speaks have been forgotten. “It is impossible to convey the flavour of the picture by a mere enumeration of the merits of the players. All are splendid, from Jessie Matthews and John Gielgud to the lady who makes Big Annie, of the thieves ‘ pub,’ such a richly Hogarthian figure. Mary G!vnne,”as Miss Trant; has been so imbued with the director’s hatred of theatricality that; in her desire fop truth, she makes her role too subdued, “It would bo idle to" attempt to heap further praise on / The Good Compafiions.’ Perhaps, if it is due to anything, the secret of its amazingly convincing illusion of life is due to tha perfect casting of its -characters; tha roles are not merely acted by accomplished players—they have become pro. jeclions of • those actors’ • own lives, ‘ The Good Companions ’ shows an Eng* lish studio definitely on top of tha world 'in picture production._ To miss seeing it Mill be to miss seeing a film that will be talked of as eagerly in 1940 as in 1933.”