FINE ROMANTIC DRAMA

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 543, 27 August 1932, Page 21 (Supplement)

FINE ROMANTIC DRAMA

“ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ” for Majestic. ” The Sign of Four ”, the film version of the late Sir A. Conan Doyle's famous novel, will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the last time to-night. Recreating in all its charm and emotional appeal the famous romance of the twentieth century, Fox Films’ spectacular production, “ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ”, featuring Marion Nixon and Ralph Bellamy, will commence a season at the Majestic Theatre on Monday. The picture faithfully reproduces Kate Douglas Wiggin’s and Charlotte Thompson’s original stage play, and relates the amazing adventures and glamorous romance of a little girl who believed in happiness. This refreshing production not only gives Marian Nixon unbounded opportunity for dramatic expression, but also introduces Ralph Bellamy in an entirely sympathetic and romantic role, that of the kindly, understanding Dr Adam Dadd who befriends Rebecca. The plot deals with the experiences of an imaginative, impulsive girl who leaves her beloved Sunnybrook to live with her elderly maiden aunts, the very pillars of respectability in a Maine village. Her penchant for adopting everybody's troubles wins the immediate disapproval of the aunts, but strikes quickly at the heart and sympathy of Dr Adam Ladd, who befriends her from her first day in the village. Ralph Bellamy, leading man of many recent Fox successes, portrays the kindly, understanding character of Dr Ladd, while Mae Marsh, who recently renewed her screen career in ‘‘Over the Hill”, is seen as Aunt Jane, the younger and more sympathetic of the two aunts. Aunt Miranda, whose hard-shelled surface of New England reserve is the last to be won over by Rebecca’s irresistible personality, is faithfully enacted by Louise Closser Hale in what is said to be her best performance to date. Other characters of note in the picture are Alan Hale, as the eccentric radical; Sarah Padden, the kind-hearted woman who wants to adopt the child; Ronald Harris, lovable two-year-old who nearly steals the picture in his first screen role, and scores of others. Every child attending “ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ” matinees will receive a tablet of Nestle’s chocolate. Box plans at The Bristol.