“MAN PROOF”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23734, 15 February 1939, Page 7

“MAN PROOF”

WITTY SOCIAL DRAMA A light social drama in which witty conversation and the ultramodern “streamlined” type of acting play important parts is “ ManProof,” the outstanding production from the studios of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, which will be the next attraction at the Empire Theatre. Brilliant portrayals in the main roles of “ Man-Proof ” are given by Myma Loy, Franchot Tone, Walter Pidgeon and Rosalind Russell. Miss Loy is seen as Mimi Swift, a newspaper artist, who is madly in love with a man-about-town of the typical American type (Walter Pidgeon). The American, however, marries a wealthy young society girl, a part taken by Rosalind Russell, and Mimi finds herself in the unenviable position of being a bridesmaid at the wedding of the man she had hoped would marry her. When the couple return from their honeymoon, Mimi makes desperate efforts to capture the affections of the husband, but is prevented from doing so by the shrewd generalship of the wife. The story ends happily when Mimi finds that she really does not love the husband, but is really in love with her faithful friend, Jimmy Kilmartin (Franchot Tone). As Mimi, Miss Lo -7 gives a oerformance that ranks with the finest of her career, which is saying a great deal, as she has given a number of remarkable portrayals. As a normal type of gracious, sympathetic and understanding society girl, Rosalind Russell gives a performance which again shows her to be an actress of high calibre. Franchot Tone and Walter Pidgeon act with brilliance and carry a great deal of the success of the film on their shoulders.