MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 157, 5 July 1934, Page 7

MAJESTIC THEATRE

• LADY FOR A DAY.” The difficult feat of telling a fairy story in which the principal characters are New York gangsters and beggars, is accomplished with delightful artistry and humour in “Lady for a Day,” which opened a season at the Alajestic Theatre yesterday. The film, in effect, sets out to show that even in the heart of New York romance and ohivairy are not dead, and that tne miraculous is as likely to happen to-day as in the past. The story concerns an old apple • seller, “Apple Annie,” who has seen i better days, but whose fondness for , gin keeps her jmong the city’s out- I casts. She has a daughter, whom she I sent as a child to a convent in Spain. 1 Greatly to her alarm, the daughter writes to say she is coming to New York, bringing with her her fiance and [ and his father, a Spanish count, who ; refuses to consent to a marriage until I he has seen the girl’s parents. A gangster, who has always experienced good luck through buying one of Annie’s apples before engaging in his nefarious projects, conics to the aid of the old 1 woman. Through his good offices she is I provided with beautiful clothes and■ transformed into t'he handsome and gracious lady her daughter imagines | her to be. Having determined to I satisfy the count in every particular, I the gangster leaves no stone umturned to make the ruse a success, and his ingenuity provides Annie successively with a luxurious suite of rooms, a husband and even, when occasion demands, a ballroom full of distinguished visitors. The film has been ■ admirably directed by Frank Capra and drama, pathos and humour are blended with excellent judgment. Alay Robson plays the part of Annie with great sympathy and understanding, and her acting both as the old apple woman and as the lady of society is of a high standard. Warren Williams is well cast as the gangster, who becomes the equivalent of a fairy godmother, while a strong supporting cast includes Guy Kibbee as “Judge Blake,” the professional billiards player, who is called on to play the role of Annie’s husband, Jean Parker, who gives a charming performance as the daughter. New Sparks as the gangster’s laconic assistant, and Glenda Farrell.