Absorbing Drama Acted To Boris Karloff Returns in Perfection by Cast “The Black Room”

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 250, 23 October 1935, Page 11

Absorbing Drama Acted To Boris Karloff Returns in Perfection by Cast “The Black Room”

THE FLAME WITHIN” rROVES UNUSUALLY INTERESTING

(Regent: Wednesday Next.)

At last Ann Harding comes to rhe screen in the type of role that won her fame on the legitimate stage. It was in a highly dramatic production that the New York critics hailed her as another Bernhardt, a yonng Duse ..... but as the result of an early screen success in a light comedy-drama role she almost invariably has been cast in such parts.

Ia “The Flame Within,” however, she portrays the highly emotional part of a noted woman psychiatrist. It is drama; vital, absorbing drama every step of the way. Sharing the star honours with the blonde cameo beauty is Herbert Marshall, who is seen with her for the first time. Marshall is the handsome, canable doctor who seemingly always had been in love with the youthful psychoanalyst. Maureen O’Sullivan, as a neurotic girl, proves that her litid dramatic performance in ‘‘Barretts of Wimpolo Street” was no accident. She actually surpasses that portrayal in this story, which was written and directed by Edmund Gouldiug, A newcomer of great promise, Louis Hayward, makes his motion picture debut in “The Flame Within,” as the likeable ne’er-do-well who becomes involved in two love affairs. After seeing him in this screen play it is »uot difficult to understand why he was awarded the Vanity Fair Medal for the best stage performance of the year in Xoel Coward’s ‘‘Point Valaine.”

Henry Stephenson, as the boisterous “Dr. Jock,” friend and confidant of Herbert Marshall, gives his usual flawless characterisation.

For those looking for sometliiug definitely new in story, treatment, ana stirring dialogue; for those who like romance as it really is and not as some writer imagines, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer’s “The Flame Within” will prove an engrossing piece of photoplay entertainment.

Bixby’s hotel and there they see Julie come in and go to Bixby’s room. . Arthur demands a divorce, insisting that Bixby marry Julie. Harvey consents and everyone is willing, except Bixby.

After a thrilling and hilarious climax, things arc eventually smoothed out,' and Bixby’s secretary, Anne, proves that she still loves him.

Sitting in his apartment, Kirby Smith, Hollywood insurance man, noticed a fire in the house next door. He rushed to the ifhone, called the Fire Department. Then, he broke through tho window of the burning home, grabbed old dresses from a closet and attempted to beat out the flames.

When tho Firo Department arrived, so did the occupants, movio extras Mary Dunning and Ruth, Edman. They ordered Insurance man Smith arrested for housebreaking and filed suit for the damaged dresses.

NOW PORTRAYS ROLE OF FIENDISH BLUEBEARD

(State: Screening Saturday Week.)

.Boris Karloff, who created the “horror-role” of “Frankenstein” in the picture of the same name, now appears in a dual role in “The Black Boom,” Columbia’s new horror-thriller. ‘ ‘Frankenstein” was an inhuman creation, not capable of knowing or realising its own crimes, but “Gregor,” of “The Black Room,” is a human, with a human brain, yet his heeds are more horrible, more fantastic, than anything “Frankenstein” ever indulged in.

Appearing without extensive makeup, Karloff does some fine acting as the murderous Baron do Berghinan. Ruling his castle with a tyrannical hand, tho Baron is hated by the peasants. The disappearance of loveley young peasant girls arouses their suspicions, and when they rise in righteous rebellion, tho disappearances and consequent murders aro traceable to the Baron’s grisly Black Room, which is an inspired chamber of horrors, if there ever was one! Ilis demise, however, is finally brought about (to audiences’ delight) by Robert Allen, who portrays excellently a dashing lieutenant;. When the Baron tries to win lovely Marion Marsh away from Alien, trouble starts and ends woefully for tho titled head. Miss Marsh’s performance is fine. Alluring Katherine DeMillo is cast importantly as a servant girl who loves the Baron woll ( but not wisely. Thurston