POWERFUL DRAMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1080, 18 September 1930, Page 15

POWERFUL DRAMA

“LADIES OF LEISURF” ROXY’S GREAT TALKIE Motion ricturo entertainment of tho highest order is now current at the Roxy Theatre. It is “Ladies of Leisure,” the Columbia all-talking drama of New York night life which opened at the Roxy Theatre last night \Vith Barbara Stanwyck, Lowell Sherman and Ralph Graves in the leading roles. Tho picture, adapted from a David Belasco stage play by Milton Herbert Gropper, tells the story of an artist who believed that a woman was a product of environment rather than of heredity. He becomes interested in a girl of the streets. He engages her to pose for him. Subconsciously, the girl falls in love with him and approaches his ideal of womanhood. He treated her like a lady and she had become a lady. Things are brought to a head when the artist’s father walks into the studio ono morning and finds the girl there. Believing the worst, he insults the girl and thus precipitates the artist into a declaration of love. Interference on the part of the artist’s parents eventually separates the two young people, but they are brought together again in a thrilling denouement. One scarcely knows "where to begin in distributing acting honours —practically every part was played by a consummate artist, who left nothing to be desired in the way of convincing portrayal. Every member of the cast Is a name that stands for excellent performance on the screen—the three stars, Marie Prevost, who contributes some really delightful comedy; George Fawcett, the grand old man of the screen; Nance O’Neil, capable, star of the stage; Johnnie Walker and Juliette Compton. Frank Capra, one of the screen’s outstanding directors who has a long string of outstanding films to his credit, handled the megaphone. Here is a picture you should see—it is among the best of the season. The Roxy’s new programme also includes several fine talkie items.