ROMANCE OF WEALTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 13

ROMANCE OF WEALTH

"SWEEPINGS" AT ST. JAMES' The romance of the growth of a great department store is told in "Sweepings," which will be shown for the first time at St. James' Theatre to-day. Lionel Barrymore, who gave such magnificent characterisations in "Rasputin and the Empress", and "Grand Hotel," scores an even greater triumph as Daniel Pardway, whose whole life is bound up in his business. The story opens when he and his wife, Abigail, played by Ninetta Sunderland, sell their possessions and go to Chicago after the great fire of 1871. Determined to carve out a fortune they establish a bargain store in an old livery stable and live in humble rooms behind the building. The business prospers and just as they are planning to move into a fashionable home Abigail dies. Daniel swears to do his best for his four children and spends the rest of his life building up a great fortune. He becomes a multi-millionaire, but his children turn out to be worthless, pampered and spoiled, ruined by the very luxury he worked so hard to get tor them. They fail to appreciate their father's groat love for his store and all shrink from the task of following in his footsteps. William Gargan, who appeared recently in "Rain anW "Luckv Devils," is cast as Gene, the eldest son, who disgraces the family by becoming involved in a sordid love affair. Phoebe, the daughter, lives only for scandal, while another son, Bert, is utterly devoid of stamina and ambition. Eric Linden, who made a promising screen debut, in "Are These Our Children?" gives a powerful portrayal as the youngest son, a sodden, cynical wanderer. The role of an employee who buys up the shares of the sons in an attempt to gain control of the store is taken by Geoffrey Ratoff. There is a strong supporting programme. ,