“BATTLE OF SEXES” COMING TO THE CIVIC THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18803, 4 July 1929, Page 7

“BATTLE OF SEXES” COMING TO THE CIVIC THEATRE.

NOTED PRODUCER DELVES INTO LIVES OF MODERN PEOPLE. T>. W. Griffith, the famous motionpicture director, believes that reality is the basis of the greatest drama, and in consequence has chosen for the theme of his latest picture a story that might have had its setting- in any town or city in America to-day. His new picture is entitled "The' Battle of the Sexes,” and tells a story as universal

in its appeal and application as a page from Dickens, Hardy or Shakespeare, according to all advance reports. .Jean Hersholt, Phyllis Haver, Belle Bennett, Don Alvarado and Sally O'Xeil play the leading characters.

33a riy in his career Griffith produced a similar picture, and the popularity it enjoyed was phenomenal. Griffith

was convinced that with the proper facilities and the appreciation of human beings that comes with matured reflection and experience, such a theme could be made a human document never-to-be-forgotten. Hours were devoted to research and reading till he fell upon the story of “The Battle of the Sexes.”

Audiences wherever the picture has been shown have been enthralled by this everyday tale of the domestic complications arising: out of a fate that was too kind, and a fond husband who was too weak. The United Artists cinema version of this story is coming to the Civic Theatre on Monday.

The plot, Griffith claims, deals with situations that might happen to anv* one and of which everyone has seen either a counterpart in his life or that

of some one he has met. Overnight, a happy benedict finds himself unbelievably rich. He and his family look forward to peace and plenty for the years to come, but they do not figure on what Chance may throw in their way. Lured by his gold, an adventuress contrives to burst in upon his tranquil life, and instantly there is chaos. Home, happiness, fortune, honour, all are risked for the love of this female fortunehunter. When father and daughter find one another in compromising situations in the home of the gold-seeker, things reach the breaking point. Right on up to the end of the picture the suspense is maintained, while through the entire film runs a human note that makes the story sink deep into the inner consciousness of the spectator, those who have seen it report. The cast which appears in this production is composed of players whose work during the past year has been of outstanding excellence. The actors are Jean Hersholt, considered by Mr Griffith and many other film authorities to be screendtim's finest character actor, and remembered for his work in "Don Q,” “Stella Dallas” and “Abie’s Irish Rose”; Phyllis Haver, the come-on girl in “Chicago” and Shanghai Mabel in

"What Price Glory”; Belle Bennett, the immortal mother of ‘‘Stella Dallas” and ‘‘Mother Machree”; Don Alvarado, the dashing- hero of “Drums of Dove”; and Sally O’Neil, the famous Marshall Neilnn find who became a star with her first picture, “Mike.” Other players are William Bakewell and John Batten.

"The Battle of the Sexes” ig taken from the story by Daniel Carson Goodman, and is a Joseph M. Schenck presentation, adapted by Gerrit J. Lloyd.