MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 241, 12 October 1931, Page 11

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

JOAN CRAWFORD STARRED. Joan Crawford is starred in ‘‘Laughing Sinners,” now showing at the Majestic Theatre. This is Miss Crawford’s second straight dramatic role, her first having been in “Within the Law,” in which she scored an emotional triumph. In the new picture the itar is directed for the fourth time by Harry Beaumont, one of filmdom’s foremost directors, who first brought ler to stardom in “Our Dancing Daugh:ers.” He also made *'Our. Blushing Brides,” and “Dance, Fools, Dance,” Joan’s last film. The dramatic feature is an adaptation of the stirring Kenyon Nicholson play, “The Torch Song,” which was an outstanding hit on Broadway last season. In the new production Miss Crawford sings a song number, “What Can I Do—l Love That Man.” and was written especially for the star by Martin Broones and Arthur Freed. The song is by no means a musical interpolation or “theme song,” but plays an important part in the motivation of the dramatic plot. Sharing leading honours in the picturisation of the stage success are Neil Hamilton and Clark Gable, the former playing the part of the salesman lover and the latter cast as the devoted’Salvation Army sweetheart of the capricious roadhouse singer, who turns to religion to obliterate a sinful past, only to yield to temptation when the old loves comes back in her life. The supporting cast is one of unusual prominence, headed by Marjorie Rambeau hs Ruby, and including Guy Kibbee (a member of the original stage cast) as Cass Wheeler, Cliff Edwards, Roscoe Karns, Gertrude Short, George Cooper .George F. Marion and Bert Woodruff. The production opens with a bizarre roadhouse sequence in which Joan reveals a new eccentric dance as well as singing the original song number. The plot has a swift tempo that carries it to the salesman’s room in the little mid-West hotel where the dramatic action takes place. Another Laurel and Hardy riot of laughter, “Below Zero,” and the latest international news reels, complete an excellent programme.