REGENT PROGRAMME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

REGENT PROGRAMME

I ‘.‘THE BROKEN LULLABY” 1 DKAMA AND ROMANCE The fact that it is a Paramount production and was directed by Ernest Lubitsch gives “The Broken Lullaby,” the current attraction at the Regent Theatre, a good initial recommendation, which is enhanced upon inspection of the picture. “The Broken Lullaby,” which combines drama and lomance, is but another example of the skill and versatility of Lubitsch as a director. He has good material to work upon in a fine cast, headed by Lionel Barrymore (as Dr. Holderlin, a German Nationalist), Phillips Holmes (a French soldier), and Nancy Carroll.

The story has a war-time background, but it is not actually a story of war; rather a story of the effects of war, full of human interest. With his wife and Elsa, the bereaved sweetheart of his son, Walter, Dr. Holderlin lives in a small German town. The son has been bayoneted to death by Paul, a young French soldier, overcome with horror and remorse at his deed, decides to go to Germany after the war to seek out the dead man’s parents. He meets Elt-i, who in turn introduces him to Holderlin. At first, on learning that Paul is a Frenchman, Holderlin’s hatred of the French race asserts itself, but eventually the staunch old German patriot changes his views and becomes friendly toward the young Frenchman. But Paul cannot obliterate from his mind the killing of Holderlin’s son. He tells Elsa that he killed Walter Holderlin and insists that Holderlin and his wife should also know, but in the events which follow he is convinced that he must forget his secret forever. “The Broken Lullaby” presents a story of a tragedy, which blossoms into a romance. As Dr. Holderlin, Lionel Barrymore gives a powerful character delineation.

The comical antics of Sydney Howard as the Yorkshireman who journeys up to London with his lady-love to view th© celebrated Cup Final is positively uproarious and his is a characterisation that will be much appreciated in “Up For the Cup,” opening at the Regent Theatre next Wednesday. Cast in an altogether different role from those in which we have been accustomed to seeing him, this production certainly gives Howard plenty of scope to add more laurels to his crown of fame.

Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald, who head the cast of Chevalier’s latest starring Paramount picture, “One Hour With You,” became set in their dramatic careers much earlier than the average artist of present day screen prominence. Chevalier was in his late ’teens, while Jeanette made her first public appearance at the age of three in a charity play and was also professionally engaged at the age of eight and definitely set in a dramatic career at fourteen. “One Hour With You” will be shown at the Regent Theatre, beginning next Saturday. This is the second time these prominent screen stars have headed the cast of a major screen production. Their first appearance together was in “The Love Parade,” one of the screen hits of two years ago.