DISTINGUISHED FILM

Evening Star, Issue 21582, 30 November 1933, Page 11

DISTINGUISHED FILM

STARS LESLIE HOWARD AND ANN HARDING All the qualities of a high-grade play from London’s West End are brought to the screen in ‘ The Woman in His House,’ a production originally known ns ‘ The Animal Kingdom,’ and made from the great Philip Barry stage success of that name. This film will begin to-morrow at the Regent Theatre. The picture is an exquisite medium for the art of the popular Leslie Howard, whoso quiet charm, enviable poise, and deep understanding have surely never been better employed. He has the unusual and exacting role of Tom Collier, a sensitive, temperamental fellow, entirely absorbed in the beautiful things in life, and perpetually estranged from his materially-minded father. Tom fails in love with the physical attractions of Cecilia (Myrna Loy), but his one real friend is Daisy Sage, a young artist (Ann Harding), who understands him and can commune with him on terms of equality. Daisy, in his life, represents the intelligent woman and the perfect companion. Ho can never think of her in any other light, and the idea of marrying her does not occur to him until she finds out, in a wonderfully moving scene, that she loves him—and that he is going to marry Cecilia. The story from that point oil tells of the clash in Tom’s nature between the mercenary demands of Cecilia and the more spiritual claims of Daisy. At the end of the story, Cecilia winds up her campaign by brazenly using her phi’sical charms in an attempt to make Tom relinquish his last link with his old life, to sell his soul for mercenary profit; but she goes too far; and Tom gradually realises what lias happened to him. Leslie Howard’s acting is perfect. He could not have portrayed Tom’s slow awakening with greater subtlety or delicacy. ‘ The Woman in His House ’ undoubtedly contains some of the fines! acting, as well as one of the most controversial themes ever seen in a film.