Amusements

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 9

Amusements

Comedy Drama |For Plaza Dramatic situations interspersed with hilarious comedy moments march grandly across the screen of |“A Letter of Introduction,” which opened on Saturday at the Plaza Theatre. Adolphe Menjou, Andrea Leeds and George Murphy provide the drama. The comedy is excellently taken care of by that remarkable pair, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Stahl, the producer-director, is known for his intensely powerful and tragic creations, such as “Back Street,” “Imitation of Life,” and “Only Yesterday.” Yet, “Letter of Introduction” shows he is also master of the art-of creating high comedy rapidly and effectively. Andrea Leeds and Adolphe Menjou carry the story of an ageing actor who discovers, through a letter of introduction, that he is the father of a grown daughter, the role played by Miss Leeds. The actor’s ego, coupled with the fear of losing his screen-idol popularity, prompts him to conceal their true relationship from the world, and to extract from his daughter a promise of secrecy.

Through this deception comes a succession of events, some tragic, some dramatic, some hilarious. Enhanced by the extraordinary acting abilities of Miss Leeds‘and Mr Menjou, they merge to form a truly great screen offering.

McCarthy, however, emerges as tops in the comedy line, although he has an unexpected rival in Mortimer SnerQ, a rural dummy, who makes his screen debut in ‘Letter of Introduction.” Mortimer nearly steals the show from Charlie in spots.

This fine comedy drama is supported by good supports.