"MANNEQUIN"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 December 1938, Page 6

"MANNEQUIN"

Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy Give Brilliant Performances

; It was a happy choice that teamed Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy for the first time in “Mannequin.” Given a smartly-modern story by Katharine Brush, who wrote "Young Man of Manhattan,” and able direction by Frank Morzage, the stars share honours with performances that must be numbered among their finest. As Jessie Cassidy, a shop girl who fights her way up from the New York tenement district to a multi-millionaire’s penthouse, Miss Crawford has a role that is reminiscent of her portrayals in "Dancing Lady” and "Possessed.” pictures that won her wide popularity. Never more beautifully gowned by Adrian, she sings charmingly a new popular hit, "Always and Always,” and rises spiritedly to every dramatic occasion, particularly in scenes with Tracy. The acting versatility of Tracy ceases to surprise. He seems to fit any part hapded him as though made for it.

I This is particularly true of his characterisation as John L. Hennessey, rugged , and two-fisted, who rose from the docks to own a line of ships. Full of unexpected twists, the story opens with Jessie’s marirage to Eddie Miller as an escape/ from her tenement surround- ■ ings. The part of Miller is played by Alan Curtis, Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer’s newest leading man discovery, who , displays exceptional promise in the difficult role of a weakling. When ; Miller proves to be a cheap crook, ■ Jessie leaves him, determined to live ; her own life. Hennessey, who also ■ loves Jessie, refuses to let her, and they , are married. Miller sees an opportun- • ity to blackmail Jessie, which fails ; when Hennessey goes broke. This gives , Jessie the chance to prove her love ■ for Hennessey in a gripping climax. » Capable in supporting roles are Ralph : Morgan, Mary Phillips, Oscar O’Shea, . Elizabeth Risdon and Leo. Gorcey.