A GRIPPING PLOT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 301, 19 December 1931, Page 25 (Supplement)

A GRIPPING PLOT.

The story of “ Night Nurse,” at the Regent Theatre to-day, is intensely gripping, and many screen notables play its widely variant roles. Barbara Stanwyck proves herself as great an actress as she is a beautiful one in the leading role. Miss Stanwyck is said to surpass all her previous efforts in her portrayal of the character of Lora Hart, the night nurse of the story. Lora Hart meets temptations, tears, doubts and conflicts of loyalties that make her life a dynamic series of dramatic episodes. Through one of her assignments as a night nurse she becomes the central figure of a diabolical plot to do away with a pair of lovable children. Ben Lyon is seen opposite Miss Stanwyck, adding another star to the long list of lovely ladies of the screen he has supported recently. In addition to Miss Stanwyck and Lyon, the cast of “ Night Nurse ” includes Joan Blondell, pert comedienne; Clark Gable, the new star; Charles Winninger, Charlotte Merriam, Edward Nugent, Ralf Harolde, Walter M’Grail, Blanche Friderici, Vera Lewis, Betty May, and two astonishing seven-year-olds, Marcia Mae Jones and Betty Jane Graham. Box plans are at The Bristol. "THE BRAT” AT CRYSTAL. " The Brat,” which started to-day at the Crystal Palace, is a particularly interesting picture, the theme one of everlasting appeal—that which shows a fount of goodness in the heart of a waif. Sally O’Neil made several talkies, and then came a gap, now bridged by a star part in this picture in which she is an outstanding success. While the love interest is not stressed, it is yet of far greater depth and sincerity than in two-thirds of the screen offerings portraying musty romances. Here there is something sweet where almost always it is merely saccharine. Sally O’Neil is the little waif, picked up by Allan Dinehart, the novelist, from the police courts, and taken to his home to serve as material for his next book. For three months she lives with his family in their beautiful home, wearing beautiful clothes and enjoying life to the full. Mistaking gratitude for love, she confesses her feelings toward him; but actually she loves his younger brother (Frank Albertson), and this fact is brought home to her in the closing scenes. No bare outline of the story could convey the true entertainment quality of this picture, however. The comedy is a medley of road and subtle humour; the drama, not the deep, overpowering sort, but almost of a whimsical nature, and the more effective for it. .. r™. As much as for the players. Trie Brat” is bv no means a small triumph for the director. John Ford. “ The Brat ’ Is a delightful picture. Box plans are at The Bristol.