STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“MY SON, MY SON.” An unforgettable story, brilliant performances, outstanding direction and a beautiful production make Edward Small’s film version of Howard Spring’s “My Son, My Son” one of the finest pictures of the year. This new film drama will be shown tonight at the State Theatre. “My Son, My Son” has a brilliant array of stars in Madeleine Carroll, Brian Aherne, and Louis Hayward, a trio who enhance the picture by down-to-earth, unforgettable acting. The story is rich in emotional implications and everyday drama. It concerns a father and son, and the high hopes that fail to materialise. William Essex’s dreams z for his son fade into thin air when he realises that Oliver is a vain and selfish young man, over-sophisticated, insincere, and cynical . Oliver realises almost too late that he has brought misery to the people who have surrounded him with love and understanding. The typical English atmosphere engendered by Howard Spring’s best selling novel, “My Son, My Son!” was preserved for the screen through the expert camera techniquqe of Harry Stradling. Goldenhaired Madeleine Carroll, portraying the role of Livia Vaynol, has never turned in a screen characterisation to equal her present one in this picture; Brian Aherne and Louis Hayward, as William and Oliver respectively, play their parts with understanding and humanity which point up the story brilliantly; and the other members of the cast in the supporting roles make many notable contributions. “My Son, My Son,” definitely belongs among the great pictures that from time to time come out of Hollywood to surprise the millions of moviegoers all over the world. It is a memorable screen accomplishment because for sheer entertainment, it hasn’t been—and is unlikely to be —surpassed in a long time to come.