'ANNE OF GREEN GABLES'

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 21

' ANNE OF GREEN GABLES'

IM SECOND WEEK AT STATE Whimsical, imaginative, sweet, but as fiery tempered as her hair denotes, Anne Shirley, in the character role of ‘ Anne of Green Gables,’ is the lovable orphan girl whom L. M. Montgomery wrote about in her novel which has been read by millions. And the many Dunedin people who have enjoyed this book have found its picturised version so charming that crowded audiences are still attending the State, where it commenced its second week yesterday. This picture is one that cannot fail to make an appeal to picture patrons. A deeply moving, sentimental comedy romance of unusual charm, the simplicity and wholesomeness of the story, together with the fine acting of the principals, make the picture one of real value. All the characters are pleasant ones, and Anne Shirley shows herself to be a remarkably clever actress of talents. At times she is delightfully amusing in her outspokenness, at others she is emotional to the limit, as the life of this ultra romantic, poetic mind of the fourteen-year-old girl is revealed. It is a simple story, set in the-simple rural background of Prince Edward Island, It depicts the struggle of an orphan girl who has been adopted by Matthew Cuthbert (0. P. Heggie), a bachelor, and his spinster sister, Manila Cuthbert (Helen Westley). They had decided to adopt a boy from an orphanage, but instead of a boy, a girl, Anne Shirley, big-eyed, red-headed, is sent them. Lively, literally bursting to he friends with everyone, and a child with vivid imagination, Anne is allowed to stay on trial. Manila is not keen on having the girl at all, but the child’s lovable disposition and winsome ways soon win Manila's objections over. Anne falls in love with Tom Brown (Gilbert Blythe), and then has her first taste of real unhappiness, because of a family feud which has existed for years. Not only is the performance of Anne .Shirley outstanding, but so also is that of Gilbert Blythe as Tom Brown. 0. P. Heggie and Helen Westley both give a delightful performance as two lonely souls desirous of having something in the home to cheer up their lives. The supporting programme is of the •State’s usual standard.