EXCELLENT ACTING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 635, 13 December 1932, Page 3

EXCELLENT ACTING.

Modern Comedy-drama Now at Everybody’s.

A modern American society comedydrama, finished in both acting and technical detail, aptly describes ” Letty Lynton,” which opened at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday. Joan Crawford, who is featured, is provided with all the opportunities for great emotional and dramatic expression. She acquits herself successfully and scores a decided triumph. The story of the picture, adapted from the novel by Mrs Belloc Lowndes, is slightly melodramatic, but it is well written and well constructed melodrama. Letty Lynton (Joan Crawford), who is on a holiday somewhere in South America, has the bad luck to fall in love with a Latin-American of the lowest type, who insists on making himself obnoxious long after the girl has expressed a desire that the affair should end. He follows her to New York and threatens to bring her back to him by using the many letters she has written. On the boat, however, Letty lias fallen in love with a likeable young Bostonian polo player, and has decided to put her past behind her. Her Latin lover thinks that her affection for her new lover is only a passing whim. He renews his demands and finally threatens to expose the girl. In desperation Letty goes to his hotel at night in an endeavour to bluff him into giving her back her letters. under the threat of drinking poison. In the confusion of her emotional stress she allows her former lover to drink the poison. From that point the picture takes an unusual and dramatic twist and the climax is a surprise in Its departure from the conventional. Xils Asther. a favourite of the silent films, plays the fiery Latin lover to perfection. Robert Montgomery, as the polo player, saves the picture from becoming too heavily dramatic, with his delightfully impudent wit. Louise Closser Hale and Lewis Stone, two veteran character players, as usual, give perfect performances. There Is a good supporting programme.