MIRIAM HOPKINS STARRED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23202, 28 May 1937, Page 7

MIRIAM HOPKINS STARRED

"MEN ARE NOT GODS" Miriam Hopkins is the bright, particular reason why a visit should be paid to the Regent Theatre to see "Men Are Not Gods," which opens to-day. In a splendidly directed, sparkling picture of the standard filmgoers have come to expect from London Films, Miss Hopkins gives a most remarkably real-life performance as a secretary to a famous London dramatic critic. She fits so naturally into the role that the rest of the production, brilliant though it is, is always subservient to the star. Considerable demands are made upon her dramatic powers, particularly in the thrilling closing scenes, and it is pleasant to record that not once does she falter. Comedy and drama come all alike to her, and she handles the many humorous moments with her would-be sweetheart in a way which suggests that she was really a little secretary who found life a huge joke. Altogether it is a finely-contrasted nortrayal which will dazzle her hordes of admirers and gain her many new ones. Miss Hopkins, in her role of Ann, secretary to Skeates, the most-feared dramatic critic in London, is cast into a whole heap of trouble by altering one of her em-, ployer's reviews. A new production of " Othello " is presented at a London theatre. Skeates arrives back at the office late at night to dictate his criticism, in which he makes a scathing attack upon the principal actor, Edmond Davey. He leaves, and Ann gets on with her job of typing. A woman bursts into the office, declares she is the wife of Davey and his leading woman on the stage, and pleads with Ann to persuade Skeates to alter his notice. She explains that her husband's performance was spoil by an attack of nerves, that he is really a great actor. Ann cannot get in touch with Skeates, so she changes the criticism into a pasan of praise. This makes Davey famous, but Ann is sacked. She becomes friendly with the actor and his wife. Ann finds herself becoming part of a tragic triangle, and fights against such a situation. But she is desperately in love with Davey and sees his performance from the gallery every night. She receives a visit from the actor's wife, who pleads with her to break off the association. Ann writes a farewell letter, and a phrase in this leads to a thrilling climax such as is seldom seen on the screen. It would be unfair to disclose the denouement. Of the supporting cast Gertrude Lawrence, Sebastian Shaw and Rex Harrison, a promising newcomer, give excellent performances. Shaw and Miss Lawrence play the parts of Edmond Davey and his wife, and their performances in excerpts from Shakespeare's " Othello " form some of the film's most dramatic highlights.