STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 19

STRAND

“THE LADY LIES” A story of modern life, of the supreme sophistication of this day and age, of lovers and of children, is to be presented at the Strand Theatre this evening in the powerful talking drama. ‘'The Lady Lies.” In the story, the star, Walter Huston, a successful, prominent lawyer, and a widower with two children. Bob, 15, and Jo, 14, goes into a celebrated New York shop to purchase a birthday gift for Jo. Claudette Colbert, saleswoman and fashion designer, waits on him. Meeting Claudette by chance later, Huston discovers that she is a girl of superior breeding and intelligence, even though not of his social position. In the same building where Claudette has an apartment, Betty Garde, a commercially-minded woman, is being wined and dined by Huston’s comedy “old soak” friend, Charles Buggies. Huston’s children come home for the Easter vacation. Their uncle and aunt visit the family. They are a prying and prude couple. They bawl out Huston about his love affair with Claudette in the presence of the children. Later when Huston goes out, Bob impulsively phones Claudette on a pretext and brings her to their home. There the children face her and tell her that she is ruining their family life. If anything, they say, they want their father to marry Jean Dixon, choice of the uncle and aunt. Later in the evening Huston goes to Claudette’s apartment and tells her that they must separate even though they are deeply in love. But the children, who have been thinking’ things over, also go to the apartment. They tell Claudette and their father that they are sorry for their intrusion, and that after all they would be happier with Claudette as a step-mother than with Jean Dixon. This complete reversal of attitude on the part of the children puts everything in a different light. Claudette and Huston make up, and Claudette, true | woman that she is, plans a home for the children that will maintain their I high social position. A special announcement is made by the management that children under 16 years of age will not be admitted to the screening of this picture. The programme will also include a. full list of entertaining talkie* items. THEATRICAL PICNIC TOMORROW The annual combined theatrical picnic will be held on Motutapu Island tomorrow, and boats leave the Ferry Tee at 9.30 a.m. Every arrangement is being made to ensure the success of the outing. There will be toys and lollies for the children, and hot water and milk is being provided free. An orchestra will be in attendance, and a big sports programme has been arranged. Tickets are on sale at all theatres this evening.