MUNICIPAL THEATRE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 82, 3 April 1934, Page 5

MUNICIPAL THEATRE

NORMA SHEARER < ’ "SMILING THROUGH” ’ i "Smiling Through” the famous stage play with Norma Shearer in the leading role, comes to the Waipukurau Theatre on Friday and Saturday. Metro-'Goldwyn-Mayer, which produced this hauntingly beautiful drama, has boasted that it would reveal the finest array of acting talent the screen yet has seen. It is no idle boast. The combination of Norma Shearer with Frederic March, Leslie Howard, O. P. Heggie and Ralph Forbes represents as brilliant an assemblage of artists at could be wished for. Add to this the sparkle which Sidney Franklin brings as a director, and the effort to attain "perfectly acted” picture cbmes close to realisation. Reveals Fresh Talent Norma Shearer in this picture turns away from the sophistication of her past roles. In her dual characters of Moonyeen and Kathleen she attains an ethereal charm as the one and touches new dramatic heights as the other. ■ Frederic March also has two roles. In both ho is a suitor for Norma’s hand. His is a finely .sensitive characterisation and he proves again that he is one of the screen’s-most versatile actors.. Leslie Howard, too, carries a dramatic burden. He retains the same character throughout the story, and makes a transition from youth to old age. Everybody should see this film—and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer might rightly be • proud of this groat production, and once again must be thanked for giving it to the screen.

There will be a special matinee on Saturday at 2.30.