ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

DRAMA AT OPERA HOUSE. . “SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE.” The anger of an old English gentleman of the nineties when his son marries an American actress is the cause of all the trouble in “The Secret of Madame Blanche,” which opened at the New Plymouth Opera House yesterday. Lionel Arwill, in the role of AubreySt. John, plays the stem father in inimitable fashion and casts his son Leonard, played by Phillips Holmes, out into the world to earn his own living when he marries Sally (Irene Dunne). Leonard’s education has not fitted him to come out on top and he returns to his father, who makes him leave Sally. How Sally fends for her son and herself by dancing in music halls of doubtful reputation is admirably portrayed, but she returns one day to find that her son has been taken by his grandfather. The story moves on to the war year of 1918, when Sally is brought face to face with her son under dramatic circumstances. How she has become Madame Blanche, the proprietress of a cafe, is not revealed, but in that role she is willing to make the supreme sacrifice to save the boy Leonard junior, played by Douglas Walton, from the gallows. She knows he is her son. Tire final portion of the film is devoted to a French trial and the happy reunion of Sally and her son in the unhappy atmosphere of a prison. Hopeful plans for the future conclude the story, which is a strong one from start to finish. As Sally Irene Dunne gives a wonderful portrayal of a difficult role, her acting being of the highest order.