A GREAT PICTURE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 147, 24 June 1930, Page 11

A GREAT PICTURE.

“SEVEN DAY’S LEAVE.” A MAJESTIC ATTRACTION. The screen adaptation of Sir James Barrie’s famous play “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals,” “Seven Days’ Leave,” a story of the war time, occupies pride of place on the present programme at the Majestic Theatre. The story has its basis on the fact that Sarah Ann. Dowey, a middle-aged Scottish charwoman., who had lived for 20 years in London, wanted to “do her bit’’ in the Great War. A lovable and gentle soul, she is really an outstanding character. Her longing to do something in the great struggle in which everyone seems to be taking part eventually leads her to tell the women of Friday Street, where she goes to live, that she has a son at the war just as they have, and the conversations which take place between them are amusing in the extreme. The cast has obviously been-earefully chosen, the photography is excellent and the reproduction, of the voices as clear and distinct as could be desired. If one were to choose fhe best character sketch in the play (with perhaps, the exception of Beryl Mercer’s rendering of the heroine, Sarah Ann Dowey) one must inevitably choose that of Mrs Haggerty. Tempe Piggott, who plays the part, has invested it with a character all its own and her portrayal is a veritable cameo of quiet comedy which stands out clear and distinct from the plot proper. The story is too well known to recapitulate, it here but its principal charm lies in the fact that it is free from any complicated plot and one can follow the simple litle tale of Sarah Ann Dowey, who, ardent patriot that she is, is dy-1 ing to do something for her country in its time of need. Other women have their sons fighting at the front and their talk brings home to her more strongly every day the fact that she has no one. The indomitable little soul, however, eventually manages to adopt a renegade soldier and by the intense mother love she lavishes on him, completely reforms him, and incidental ly provides herself with a hero of her very own, whose memory she can cherish. Beryl Mercer in the role of Mrs Dowey, has the responsibility of carrying off an extremely difficult characterisation but she is equal to all the difficulties with which it bristles. She is the little Scottish charwoman to life—brave, determined and loving and just the requisite Caledonian “burr” without overdoing it. Gary Cooper, as the wild young soldier, gives a convincing rendering of his part and the gradual transition from the tolerant youth who who, under the loving care of his adopted mother, becomes a credit to her and to the army is particularly well done. No one should miss “Seven ■'Days’ Leave” for it can be recommended as one of the pictures which are well worth seeing-