LOVE, THE WINNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 726, 27 July 1929, Page 16

LOVE, THE WINNER

“THREE PASSIONS” CLASH DRAMA AT THE MAJESTIC Power, Religion and Love—these are the three passions, compared, contrasted and analysed by Rex Ingram in his first European-made motion picture. “Three Passions,” one of the best productions Ingram has offered to an appreciative gallery of admirers, opened last evening at the Majestic. Accompanying it was a long and interesting programme, including a fea-ture-length comedy, a copy of the Majestic News, remarkable for its views of a parade of the famous Grenadier Guards, and Eve’s intriguing review. In giving Rex Ingram every credit

for the success of “Three Passion,” it would be quite unfair to delay overlong before inrroducing Mrs Ingram, alias beautiful Alice Terry, who returns to the screen after an appreciable absence. She is still the lovely blonde, with serene manner

but provocative smile, and her work as the heroine of the Cosmo Hamilton adaptation is completely satisfying. Then we have Shayle Gardner, the Aucklander, who delighted the many old friends and fellow citizens who gazed at his artistry on the silver sheet for the first time last evening. Mr Gardner plays a character part—the principal, vital role in the picture —and to say that “Three Passions” is a success is tantamount to an assertion that he has “made good” definitely in films. As the grasping and bigoted old shipbuilder who sees the folly of his ways only when the finger of the Reaper has touched his heart, Shayle Gardner gives a studied, genuine picture in which no false or overstressed note obtrudes. Moreover, he has captured just the right degree of sympathy; a difficult task, yet one which repays admirably by its audience reactions.

“Three Passions” is the story of a man who seeks happiness in the lap of power, but finds instead a hard, uncertain perch. He gains wealth, but his wife becomes an unhealthy patroness of young men, and his son, horrified by the hardships of the men in the shipyards, joins an Anglican Order. Claiming that the passion of love is greater than the lust for power and the call of the Church, the youth’s fiancee, a sophisticated girl of the aristocracy, undertakes to win him back. To do so, she becomes a mission worker herself. There are scenes of brilliant animation and vast industrial energy in this drama, built against the age-old problem structure of Capital v. Labour. Technically and artistically it is excellent, providing admirable entertainment from first to last. “You Know What Sailors Are” is a British comedy-drama of the sea, and the battle-loving boys of two tiny tramp steamers. The tale tells of a Sp? nish skipper who tries to race a British skipper to London, and what comes of the venture. There are fisticuffs innumerable, lots of humorous episodes, and an ocean rescue following a sensational fire on the Spanish vessel. Cyril McLaglan is the principal, and a good cast supports him. There is everything from fun to near-tragedy in this unusual picture. Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh’s orchestra is at its best in a suitable budget of musical numbers.