NEW GERMAN ACTRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 14

NEW GERMAN ACTRESS

"CRADLE SONG" FOR CIVIC A deeply emotional story based on the theme of_ mother-love, a potent force in all good literature and drama, i$ portrayed in "Cradle Song," the film which heads the attractive programme to commence a season at the Civic Theatre next Saturday. Dorothea Wieck, who attained international popularity by her outstanding performance in the German production "Maedchen in Uniform," takes the leading role. She is cast as Joanna, tho eldest of six motherless children living in n secluded village in' Spain. Her life's ambition has been to be a nun, and when only eighteen she enters the village convent. The love and affection for the children she has left mars her happiness for some considerable time, but she overcomes the contemplation of their jovs and sorrows and devotes herself entirely to the religious life. A baby is left at the convent with a note asking the nuns to take care of tho child and not to send it to an orphanage. The baby is christened Teresa, and is committed to the charge of Joanna. With the passing of years, Teresa grows up in the ancient convent recognising all the nuns, as her "mothers," but with a particular devotion to Joanna. When she reaches the age of 17 she meets a young engineer with whom sho falls in love. The realisation by Joanna that her love for the girl must not deter her from the determination to assure hor adopted daughter of happiness gives Dorothea Wieclc tho opportunity to display her artistry in handling such a dramatic situation. Sadly the nuns agree to Teresa's marriage, and the climax of the poignant story is shown in the scene where the young man is brought to the convent and meets the Sisters who have brought up his fiancee. The farewell of Joanna and Teresa is one of tho most sincere and emotional scenes ever enacted on the screen. Teresa departing for a life in tho world unknown to her, and Joanna remaining to a lifetime of devotion and memories. Evelyn Venable plays the role of Teresa with confidence and sympathy, and Sir Guy Standing ; Louise Dresser and Kent Taylor all give sound performances.