STATE

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

STATE

At the State Lawrence Tibbett is starred in Twentieth Century’s ‘ Metropolitan/ the bright and charging romance of a young singer. Pictured with sympathy, vigour, and an abundance of sparkling comedy, ‘ Metropolitan ’ traces Tibbett’s career as an unhedged songster who can brook no delay, launches out on the world on his own, meets discouragement, disappointment, romance, and, at last—recognition. His trail crosses that of Virginia Bruce, and there develops affection between them immediately. But because Alice Brady, who controls the money in their operatic company, is jealously fond of him, they must conceal their affection. Virginia Bruce and Alice Bradv are splendid in this dramatic comedy. Between placating Alice Brady 'and attending to the wild vagaries of George Marion, sen., the orchestral conductor, Tibbett has his work cut out for him. When at last Miss Brady deserts the company all seems to have gone for nothing. But ingenuity and courage solve the problem, and the climax presents Tibbett as the hero of the evening, wildly applauded after his sensational debut. « COUNTRY DOCTOR/ A film which has an appeal for young and old alike, the Twentieth Century Films’ production, ‘ The Country Doctor/ will commence a season at the State next Friday. Prominence is given to five of the most famous little girls in the world, the Dionne quintuplets, who are to be seen playing and behaving just like babies the whole world over. Apart from the appearance of these charming children, however, the film is an exceptionally interesting one. The story concerns a courageous doctor carrying out a humanitarian work in the Canadian backwoods and an absorbing tale of his successes and disappointments is unfolded. An _ intensely dramatic incident is the valiant fight he makes against the ravages of a diphtheria epidemic, which is eventually overcome with the aid of a serum brought by aeroplane. How he is later shorn of his position, but retrieves his good reputation when he ushers the quintuplets into the world makes a powerful climax. Deft comedy touches are introduced by the master comedian, Slim Summerville, while the romantic angle is in the hands of pretty June Lang and Michael Whalen.