DRAMA AT CRVSTAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20329, 12 June 1934, Page 3

DRAMA AT CRVSTAL.

John Barrymore Has Lead in “ Counsellor-at-law.”

“ Counsellor at Law,” the featured attraction at the Grystal Palace Theatre this week, is a picture worth seeing. It deserves that recommendation not onb' for the fine acting of John Barrymore in the title-role, but also for the character of the story and the splendid cast which portrays it. Essentially it is Barrymore’s film, but the host of minor roles calls forth an aggregate of acting talent that gives unusual strength to the production. Barrymore is cast as a famous barrister in New ork, whose whole life is bound up in his work and his beautiful wife. She is “ socially ” above him, but of weak character, and eventually leaves him when he is most in need of assistance. A good supporting programme includes one of the popular “ Vaudeville on Parade ” novelties, a magic carpet scenic of the Canary Islands, and a Strange as it Seems ” novelty. “ I am' Suzanne! ” What has been described overseas as remarkably good entertainment comes to the Crystal Palace Theatre on Saturday. It is the extremely ambitious and elaborate film. “ I am Suzanne ! ” Comedy, drama, bright singing, intriguing dancing, all on a lavish scale, make the picture one that should be remembered. At the same time, with all the variety of interests which are contained in this one show, the story never falters on its enthralling way. Lilian Harvey is the central figure. Her pictures have been all too infrequent in New Zealand, but she has . never been seen in a bad one here, and “ I am Suzanne! ” promises to give her full opportunities for the type of alluring, vivid acting at which she is adept. Supporting her are Gene Raymond and Leslie Banks.