THE NEW PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 13

THE NEW PROGRAMMES

DRAMA OF ESPIONAGE JEAN HARLOW SCORES IN 1 SUZY 1 War-time intrigue is the background, but the sacrificing love and courage of a woman is five theme of ‘ Suzy,’ which opened at the Empire last niglit. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have a generous habit of sprinkling famous stars freely through their important films, and the cast of ‘ Suzy ’ contains five players, any of whom could star in his or her own right. These players are Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Cary Grant, Lewis Stone, and- Benita Hmne. Opening in London prior to the outbreak of the Great War, the film depicts the adventures of a pretty American chorus girl who is stranded in the world’s greatest city. She is helped out of a difficult situation with her landlady by the young foreman of a factory, ■Terry Moore, and one night accompanies him when he returns to his work on a stabiliser for aircraft. Disturbed by the German owner of the factory, they discover her to bo a spy, and in spite of her apparent friendliness toward the young man an attempt is made to murder him. Eventually the chorus girl, Suzy, flics to Paris, leaving her young husband for dead. The enterprising young woman finds employment in a Paris cabaret, where shortly after war is declared she meets a young French aviator. The friendship between the two young people grows, and eventually they are married, Suzy being taken to her father-in-law’s home while her second husband leaves for the front. It is not long before the young airman’s interest in her begins to fade, however, and Suzy discovers that the woman who has captured his affections is none other than the person responsible for the attempted shooting of her first husband. Terry Moore arrives from England, and in company with Suzy he goes to tell the young French aviator of the true identity of his charmer. Faced with denunciation the woman gives herself away, but not before one of her followers lias shot the Frenchman. The story does not end there, however, but sweeps on to a thrilling climax and a spectacular display of heroism on the part of Moore. Miss Harlow has had many notable parts, but in few_has she given a more sympathetic performance. In every mood of the young woman torn between two men who she loves she is superb, while she also excels in some of the lighter opening scenes. Franchot Tone gives a snlendid portrayal as the cheery young Englishman who carries her off her feet, in spite of her determination to marry into the aristocracy, but his performance is slightly overshadowed by that of Cary Grant, as the volatile young Frenchman, whose changeable moods bring pain to both his father and his wife. This is the first film in which Grant has appeared with Miss Harlow, but he has acquitted himself so well that a further appearance would be_ welcome. Heading a notable supporting cast is Lewis. Stone, who gives his usual' polished characterisation as the old father of the French flier. There are also Benita Hume, as the spy who menaces both the men in the young actress’s life, Una O’Connor and Reginald Mason. An attractive suoporting,programme well up to the Empire’s usual high standard is also presented.