Edna Best In Films

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19700, 4 August 1938, Page 4

Edna Best In Films

THE latest production at Denham, England, “Prison Without Bars,” has an interesting cast. Edna Best, whose performance in “South Riding” wash so memorable, plays an important part. Miss Best has -been for many years one of the leading actresses of the London stage, but it is only lately that she has turned her attention to films. She is not a glamorous type, either on the stage or off, hut she has a quality of straightforward sincerity which in the long run counts for more than glamour. Her part in- “Prison Without Bars” is somewhat similar to the one she played in “South Riding.’ The story deals with a girl’s reformatory. Miss Best appears as the new superintendent whose vision extends beyond the mere maintenance of discipline. She sees her charges as human beings, she wants to help them and send them out as useful members of society—not, as is so often the case, as embittered embryo criminals. Her idealistic aspirations give the story its title, "Prison Without Bars.” But, of course, as this is a film, there

y are complications—amorous ones—and 1 they centre round the vist'ing doctor, 2 played by Barry K. Barnes. The docs tor is engaged to the superintendent, - but, of course, he asks for trouble j every 'time he walks into this hotbed of rebellious young femininity.