REMARKABLE TALKIE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 188, 10 August 1931, Page 3

REMARKABLE TALKIE.

The Grand National Week programme at. the Regent Theatre is headed by a remarkable talkie. It is entitled “Doctors’ Wives.” and deals with the very interesting question of whether the wife of a successful doctor has a right to demand that her husband should consider her every whim as being of greater importance than his dutv to his patients. Warner Baxter and Joan Bennett are cast in the roles of the successful doctor with a fashionable clientele and his extremely jealous wife, who does not realise until she has imposed much suffering on herself and her husband, that a doctor’s work is confidential and that he cannot afford to ignore his duty to humanity in order to pay attention to his wife. There is a very capable supporting cast, all the members of which are particularly well suited to their respective roles. Among them are Victor Varconi, a Hungarian- actor, who does magnificent work as a research specialist. Helene Millard, who has the role of a wealthy society woman, who unsuccessfully attempts to win the doctor’s affections, Nancy Gardner, as the flighty mother of the doctor’s wife. Cecilia Boftus. as a very modern middle-aged aunt with an understanding mind, and' Paul Porcasi, as a homely family physician. Warner Baxter, as the doctor. who. while devoted to his wife and anxious to do everything he can to make her happy, places his work for humanity first, gives a remarkably fine characterisation, and Joan Bennett, who will be well remembered for her excellent acting in “Disraeli” and “Bulldog iirummond,” has one of the greatest roles of her career. A generous mensnro of humour relieves tho stirring drama of the production. Tho supporting programme is of a ouality in keeping with that of the featured film.