ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “FOUR DAUGHTERS.” “Four Daughters,” picturisation of a famous story by Fannie Hurst, is a moving talo of four devoted sisters who fall in love with tho' same man, and has -one of tho most unique cast in motion picture history. It marks the only time in history when three sisters not only played important roles in tho same picture but were, in fact, cast as sisters. They are, of course, the Lane girls, Priscilla, Rosemary and Lola. Tho fourth sister, incidentally, is played by Galo Pago, who is said to fit boaulifully into tho Lane ensemble. It also introduces two most promising young actors. They aro Jeffrey Lynn and John Garfield. Lynn plays tho captivating youth with whom the sisters all fall in love. He, however, shows a clear preference for the youngest, played by Priscilla Lane. 'J ho announcement by Priscilla of her engagement to Jeffrey is a sad blow to the other three girls but one from which they manage to recover easily, especially since they ore all so devoted to Priscilla that no question of jealousy is involved. AH seems to he going smoothly until the day that Jeffrey and Priscilla aro to bo wed. It is then that a down-at-the-heel musician, played by Johr. Garfield, tells Priscilla that her oldest sister, portrayed by Gale Page, is deeply in love with Jeffrey and is broken-hearted over the impending wedding. The bond between the oldest and the youngest of tho girls is so deep that Priscilla cannot bear to be the instrument of her beloved sister’s unhappiness. Acting upon a sacrificial impulse, she runs away only a few momonts before her scheduled wedding to Jeffrey and marries Garfield. This starts tho chain of circumstances which make tho story of “Four Daughters” a rich and human experience. METEOR THEATRE. “SERGEANT MADDEN.” Grimly gripping story of the New. York police and of a father who must put a halt to the criminal activities of Ins own son, “Sergeant screening at tho Meteor Theatre to-night, presents Wallace Beery in his most masterful characterisation to date. As Sergeant Madden, thirtyyear veteran of - the force, soft-hearted, plodding and idealistic, Beery epitomises the finest traits of .“New York’s Finest. Pie is the cop on the beat to the minutest detail. And as the father who must track down the sou whom he has failed to impress with the traditions and ideals of the job, Beery is magnificent. But a trio of youngsters presses him hard for honours. Alan Curtii is the son who tries a short-cut to promotion and finally is forced to turn hank robber, plays a meaty role to the hilt, with a finely shaded progression cf character from tho time lie finds himself a victim of the prizefight racket to'the climacteric moments when he is the snarling, cornered criminal. In a difficult role as the Irish waif whom Beery adopts and who marries . Curtis, Laraine Johnson comes through with flying colours in, this, her firstk important featured part, auguring well for a memorable career to come. She is sensitive, clear-cut _ and convincing even to her Irish brogue. lom Brown as the adopted son whose loyalties are torn both ways, shows a fine conception of another colourful characterisation. Outstanding in supporting roles are Fay Holden as Beery's wife, Mare Lawrence, enacting the racketeer, David Gorcey as the voting thief. Marion Martin as his sister, Donald Haines, Ben Weldcn and Etta McDaniel.