“I’M NO ANGEL.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20276, 10 April 1934, Page 3

“I’M NO ANGEL.”

Mae West at Her Best in New Film at Majestic. Mae West swaggers through “I’m No Angel,” which ojjened at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, and, in doing so, upholds her reputation as a star utterly unlike any other in Hollywood. Those who are already acquainted with this voluptuous person will doubly enjoy the production, and those who see her for the first time will be eager to see her again. Provocation is the keynote of Mae West’s style, and she plays her part without seeking aid from dramatic subtleties, confident in her own ability. The story, which deals with a girl’s progress from “ a tent to a pent-house,” was written by Mae West herself. She also wrote the dialogue * and adapted the story for the screen. Mae West is cast as Tira, a show-girl who has had an endless succession of gentlemen friends. When she manages to rise from the ordinary touring circus to a big show in New York, she realises that her chance for “ big money ” has come. Eventually, however, she finds that she has fallen in love with one of her “ suckers.” Her battle to hold the love of this man in the face of strong opposition from his friends gives her every opportunity to use her dynamic personality, and she gives a convincing presentation. Cary Grant has the part of Jack Clayton, who finally realises his love for the girl lion-tamer when she has brought him into the court on a charge of breach of promise. Although “ I’m No Angel ” is cast in the circus and in the court, nothing that has been used there before comes into the production. Throughout the sparkles with witty “ wisecracks,” there is an under-current of rippling humour, at times breaking out into the farcical. Four catchy numbers are introduced, sung in Mae West’s own appealing manner. The “ Midway,” a spectacular variation of the shimmy, said to have been invented by Mae West seme time ago, paves the way for Tira’s appearance in the spectacular scenes in the lions’ cage. Good “ shorts ” are also screened.