NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“THE TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN” Any doubts that may have lingered in the minds of motion picture critics as to Norma Shearer’s greatness as a screen actress have been forever dispelled by her first appearance in an all-talking picture, “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” now playing at the New Regent Theatre. Miss Shearer’s voice is superb. It has a warm, vibrant quality that is in strange and yet pleasing contrast to her cool, aloof personality. The sound pictures have opened up a new and greater usefulness for Miss Shearer’s talents, as her voice is even more beautiful than her beauty. This news will have a grateful sound to the persons who consider Miss Shearer their favourite actress. The question whether or not some favoured star of the silent screen would be able to thrill the fan in talking pictures has been a perplexing one for many persons. In many cases the most beautiful of film players have not been able to project their voices and personalities on the talking screen. Miss Shearer seems to have succeeded admirably in this respect. Her delineation of the titular role in “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is sensational in its excellence. The unhappy heroine of Bayard Veiller's drama is made to live and suffer realistically before the eyes of the audience. Too much credit cannot be given to Miss Shearer for her superb restraint in handling the difficulties of this part. Where another and lesser actress would have raved and ranted, Miss Shearer has brought out every drop of pathos and sympathy from the part by the tlelfcate fineness of her work. Excellent supporting items are also being shown.