MAJESTIC THEATRE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11383, 8 December 1930, Page 6

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THE MARRIAGE PLAYGROUND’’ AND “UNDERTOW” TONIGHT.

“The Marriage Playground, which made such a success at- the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, deals frankly with a problem that is exercising the mind of the world at the present time. Society life, of the "fast” type is the background of the story. Without troubling whether they were tempero.mentally suited or not, couples entered into contracts of marriage more or less, as an experiment. They did not stay to think what might be the result,' and in consequence prepared for themselves very difficult futures. When children came the parents continued to plav the game they had always done, with the inevitable ending—divorce! To somy of them this brought a happier life, but to the children it meant the loss of one or other of their parents The film is taken from the book ‘ The Children ” by Edith Wharton. Mar.ya Brian ’shares the lead with Frederic March, an actor of great ability. Others whose work 'contributes largs]v to the success are Lilyan Tashman, Huntley Gordon Kay Francis and Seena Owen, while a group of seven children who have to hear Hie brunt of a good deal of the drama if the picture is surprisingly good.. Onlv very rarely does one find, in talkies, a picture innocent of theme, song," chorus, and night-club bnckgronnd. Such n picture is “Undertow.” the second featured attraction. “TJndertow” was . specially written for the talking screen, and. Miss Mnrv Nolan was selected to. nlay the role of Sallv. tlm airl. in the r>lay who leaves the allurements of the world behind to ihe wife of a lighthouse keeper. The drama is intensified whon the husband goes temporarily blind- and is unable to see his wife’s perfidy. It is a storv that might easily become heav— 1 and colorless. hut as it happens the picture is preserved on a very high plane of wliat amounts almost to romance, certainly very concentrated action. \T n nraise is too for the work of ''farv Volan in the lead. An all.tn Urine Universal Gazette is the supporting featurette.