ST. JAMES

Evening Star, Issue 22414, 11 August 1936, Page 6

ST. JAMES

The outstanding performance of Bette Davis, a performance which won for her the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the best portrayal of the year, is the feature of ‘ Dangerous,’ which is the current attraction at the St, James. Ably produced and presented by an exceptionally fine cast, the film is one which offers entertainment of the best type. In every mood of a varied role Miss Davis is brilliant. Hers is the story of a beautiful and fascinating actress who is overwhelmed by her egotism and selfishness, in the difficult opening scenes being shown as a frowsy drunkard, who is in the gutter after a meteoric rise to fame and an oven more spectacular fall. Miss Davis has captured all the moments of joy and bitterness of this tormented woman with real artistry. She does not merely portray the character; she seems to live it. Opposite her is Franchot Tone, whose performance is of almost equal merit. He is cast as a conventional young society man who is torn between the fatal fascination _ of this woman and love for the charming girl to whom he is engaged. Another good performance comes from Margaret Sullavan, who is admirably cast as the young society woman who tries to hold Tone, while prominent in the supporting east is Alison Skipworth as Tone’s motherly housekeeper. * CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.’ A novel that achieved real greatness because it portrayed living people comes

to the screen in ‘ Crime and Punishment/ which will commence at the St. James oil Friday next. Based on Fyodor Dostoievsky’s book of the same title, the picture has been hailed by overseas reviewers as something in the nature of a triumph. Exceptionally lino judgment has been shown in the casting. Those familiar with the novel will regard Edward Arnold as a perfect choice for the role of the canny and subtle, although domineering, police inspector, and Peter Lorre is similarly ideally suited for the part of the murderer, Raskolnikov. The plot deals with the story of a brilliant young man, a student of the criminal mind, who, out of pure desperation, attempts to commit the perfect crime. Possessed of a rather extraordinary mentality, he believes he can outwit the blundering police. The tale of his fight against the law makes stirring drama. Marian Marsh and Tala Birrel also are in the cast.