ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 December 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE When “Sapper” writes a story there is usually some kick in it, and certainly "The Impassive Footman,” the new picture at the Majestic Theatre, works up into a very pretty plot. The crux of it is that a'.spinal surgeon (Owen Nares) is caught embracing Mrs Mar wood (Betty Sloeklield) on the eve of an operation on Mr Manvood (Allan Jeaves). The operation is a life-and-death venture performablo only by this surgeon, who is the inventor of the technique; and Marwootl must therefore trust his life (his only chance of living) lo the man who (as lie says .himself) lias everything to gain (or at any rate a woman to gain) by his death. The cunning, blackmailing way in which Harwood insures his life against any intentional slip of the surgeon’s hand is an important part of the plot. In Hie end lie is checkmated by “the impassive footman” (Georgo Curzon). Betty Stock field, a, fine actress and a good dresser, is brilliant,, and Allan .leaves, as the husband, makes himself so thoroughly disliked that it is easy for Owen Naves to win the' audience's sympathy in his attack upon Miss Sloeklie'ld’s. matrimonial fidelity. 'I'!") footman, who is a silent avenger, walks through Hie story like a potent shadow, Curzon makes a stately march of it, with ail impressive finishing touch. There is far more cleverness in this picture than in most of them.