CHARMING ROMANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 12

CHARMING ROMANCE

ATTRACTION AT ST. JAMES' It has been a long time since such tender, dclightfyl and stimulating romance as is contained in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," has been seen on an Auckland screen. This poignant drama of unforgettable charm will open a season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The principal roles are taken by Marion Nixon, who scored great successes in "After Tomorrow" and "Amateur Daddy," iu which sho appeared opposito Warner Baxter, and Ralph Bellamy, who has many recent triumph's to his credit, including "Disorderly Conduct" and "ifoung America " Miss Nixon vivifies tho character of Rebecca with all the charm of her art. Sho makes of her a tense, eager, vital and imaginative young girl who sees beauty in everything. Under tho skilful handling of Mr. Bellamy, the role of Dr. Adam Ladd, who first meets Rebecca after a bus breakdown, takes a new importance and significance in the appealing romance. Deftly he wins Rebecca's confidenco and faith with his heart-warming smile. Sternly he rebukes all who try to take advantage of her. Finally ]io saves the lifo of her aunt and proves to all that ho is sincere in bis devotion to bet 1 . The story.concerns the adventures which I befall Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, who | accepts tho invitation of her great aunts j i Miranda (Louise Closser Hale) and .Tann (Mae Marsh) to come and live with them at Riverboro. After being given a lift in the car of Dr. Adam Ladd, she arrives at the home of her aunts with a baby waif which she has accepted from a friend. Her aunts are furious and so Rebecca runs away and arrives at Dr. Ladd's home and he succeeds in getting her to return to her aunts. The film then deals with tlio complications which follow when Rebecca tries to induce Zioh Simpson, an atheist. , to lawfully marry Mrs. Simpson. Every point in tho intriguing story has been carefully handled by the director, Alfred ■ Santell, and tho sottings could not have been better chosen. . Mao Marsh, the mother of "Over tho Hill," once again brings her art to the 1 creation of a sympathetic character in her portrayal of Aunt Jane. It is a role of suppressed tenderness, tho poignancy of which is made real by ono of tho greatest actresses the screen has ever known. A performance requiring a nicety of judgment comes from Louise Closser Hale and Alan Hale handles the part of Zion Simpson very creditably.