A FINE PICTURE

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 144, 19 June 1931, Page 3

A FINE PICTURE

One of the most famous melodramas of the end of the nineteenth century, “East Lynne,” has been reproduced as a talking picture, and is attracting large audiences to Crystal Palace. There is a fine cast, and the settings of the picture are on a lavish scale. The supporting pictures comprise an excellent news film, which includes views of the visit of the Prince of Wales to South America. "BODY AND SOUL.” A new star will make her appearance in Christchurch soon. She is Elissa Landi, blonde, sophisticated, sympathetic and finished to a degree. She Is the star of “Body and Soul,” a Fox Movietone story of the loves, the lives, the friendships and the enmities of members of the Air Force, which is coming to the Crystal Palace. Miss Landi is an Englishwoman whose dramatic acting, remarkable personality. and rich, clear voice have caused her to be acclaimed one of the greatest of present-day actresses. At times she is strangely like the famous Greta Garbo. In “Body and Soul” she plays the part of a woman who gives her heart to the pal of her dead lover —her lover who dies a hero’s death. Love does not have a smooth course, and she has many sad moments before reaching her seventh heaven. Never once does Miss Landi over-act. She lives the part of i lie heroine. The leading man is that handsome young actor, Charles Farrell, whose work completely surpasses anything previously done by him.- In this film he surprises everyone by displaying the most brilliant dramatic powers. Jn the cast is Myrna Loy, who, unfortunately, does not have anywhere near enough, to do. What she does do is excellent. Incidentally, every member of the cast Is a. star. It may truthfully b<? said that ‘ Body and Soul” is one of the most brilliantly and naturally acted pictures ever produced.