DRAMATIC SOCIETY FILM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 14

DRAMATIC SOCIETY FILM

ATTRACTION AT ST. JAMES' Tho wild oats sowed by youth form the structure of one of the year's most amazing screon plays, "Letty Lynton," which will commence a season at tho St. James' Theatre to-day. Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery are tho principals. Based on the famous novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes and directed by Clarence Brown, tho picture moves through colourful revels in South America and romance beneath tropic skies, then catapults tho hero and heroine into the midst of the grim reality of New York in a lightning-like shift of dramatic trend. Tho plot deals with an hoiress, whoso indiscretions crop up in the form of a jealous and jilted lover when she is about to find life happiness. There is a poisoning ; suspicion falls on her, and to save her from prison, her mother and lover provide the only alibi they can find, though it threatens tho worst of scandal. An astounding battle of wits between the district attorney and the girl and her mother forms one of the big dramatic situations in tho film. Miss Crawford, as the heiress, spoiled and petted by society, wrecking men's hearts with every whim, is a glamorous figure. In tho climax when, gripped in the trap of her own indiscretions, she faces tho choice of prison or a wrecked reputation, she gives what is probably the most effective performance of her entire career. Mr. Montgomery, as the flippant young American, who proves his worth when tho happiness of the girl he loves is menaced, mnkes the most of an sxcellont role, and adds another to his long list of triumphs. It is a role perfectly suited to his personality. Nils Asthor, the Swedish screen hero, returns with his newly-mastered English and is a fascinating villain as Renaul, the South American. Lewis Stono is compellingly forceful as the district attorney, and May Robson, tho famous stage celebrity, contributes a masterly performance as the stern old mother. Louise Closser Halo provides comedy in the role of tho maid. Emma Dunn, Walter Walker and William Fawley conclude the excellent cast. The film was directed by Clarence Brown, who repeats the success that was his when ho directed Miss Crawford in "Possessed," in which sho appeared with Clark Gablo some timo ago. He also directed "A Free Soul," in which Norma Shearer and Lionel Barrymore were the two outstanding, artists.