TWO GOOD FILMS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 302, 21 December 1931, Page 3

TWO GOOD FILMS.

“ The Brat ” and “ Midnight ” form the two heads of the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. They make a combination that will appeal to picturegoers. "The Brat,” with Sally O’Neill and Allan Dinehart in the stellar roles, is given pride of place. It is a story of deep human interest telling how a little waif rose above adversity to find happiness for herself and bring pleasure into the hearts of many people who, living in an environment of selfish luxury, had missed the real joy of life and happiness. Running through the film there is 3. rich strain’ of subtle crisp humour, that, besides being entertaining scoffs at the false creed of selfishness and pierces the cloak of convention, showing what social wrongs and sins are hidden behind it. Sally O’Neill plays the part of the v’aif who is picked up by an author CAllan Dinehart) and taken to his home to provide him with material for his next novel. For three months she lives with the author’s family at their beautiful home in the country. After the slums to which she has been accustomed the w;aif finds her new surroundings a beautiful paradise of contentment, but she quickly learns that there are hearts around her that are aching despite the luxury that is on all sides. Gradually her winsome innocence and whimsical charms alter all that is wrong. Meantime the waif has mistaken gratitude for love and confesses what she believes to be her affection to the author, but actually she loves his younger brother, and it is not until near the close of a touching story that she realises her error. There is much heartburning for a. short time, but finally a happy ending Is reached. “ Midnight ” is a clevely constructed mystery film of the English secret seryice John Stuart and Eve Gray are the leading players.