EXCELLENT DRAMA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 935, 4 December 1933, Page 3

EXCELLENT DRAMA.

Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy in “ Penthouse.” There is a particular fascination about “ Penthouse,” the drama which opened at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. It is a vivid portrayal of night life in the great metropolis of New York, with its " racketeers ” and “ speakeasies,” its political plotting and whirlwind of gaiety against a background of tragedy, and it throws an interesting light on the character of the “gangster” element. Such a theme requires a strong cast, and the players for this film have been chosen with a view to their adaptability to the various roles. Warner Baxter is starred as Durant, a society lawyer, who elects to give up his fashionable practice for the more exciting experience, of defending notorious “racketeers” accused of murder. IT© scores a remarkable success in securing the acquittal of the leader of the “ gangsters,” who is so thankful that he swears to do anything his attorney asks for, and even asks him if he has any particular enemies he would like to have “ bumped off.” The play takes an interesting turn when a night-club hostess is mysteriously murdered, and suspicion falls on the lawyer’s greatest friend. Baxter sees in the murder the work of a rival gang of " racketeers ” and sets to work to sheet the crime home to them. This leads him into great dangers, but he carries on and in the end solves the mystery. There is a sensational climax. Warner Baxter has given many fine performances in films, but he has probably never done better work than in the exacting role which he takes in this production. Myrna Loy, the exotic star, who lately has been seen more in romantic roles, takes the part of Gertie Waxted, a glamorous night-club girl, who wins the love of the lawyer. Other featured players are Mae Clarke. Phillips Holmes, C. Henri' Gordon, Charles Butterworth, George E- Stone, Robert Emmett O'Connor and Raymond Hatton. The settings are on a lavish scale and the intimate glimpses of the lives of the “ racketeers ” in their luxurious apartments are especially interesting. The supporting programme is of the usual high standard set by the Regent.