"THE LUCKY LADY."

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 19

"THE LUCKY LADY."

"GOOD AND NAUGHTY."

CRYSTAL- PALACE, MONDAY

Seven, eleven, black cats, rabbits feet, four-leaf clovers-all symbols of good luck and relics of a rather pleasant paganism, were, despite their magio properties, banned from the life of the Lucky Lady. The reason is eimple. "The Lucky Lady was that blonde end beautiful artist, Greta Nissen and appearing in a picture of the same name at the Crystal Palace Theatre next week, she proves conclusively that she 'requires none of these things to ensure her happiness. The Lucky Lady was a princess, she was a blonde, .'ho was a very modern girl with a sense of humour and a will of her own, and to crown all these gifts of the gods, one fine day sho found herself, willy-nilly, a devotee at Cupids shrine. Being betrothed to a royal and somewhat too-sophisticated prince, did not assist matters, but b'onde3 invariably get their own way. There may be some who will petulantly aver that; the plot is old, | and that tho princess who loved n commoner is moss-grown. That may be so, but with these familiar aspects the similarity to "The Lucky Lady" abruptly ends. Handled by a director who seems to possess an almost uncanny knowledge of human nature, and who, in conjunction with the star, can see some humour in nearly every situation, the picture assumes a distinctly original atmosphere, and although from tho moment its aims and motives, as it were are stated in the accepted manner, (Jt takes many a novel and unconventional twist, it is at all times eminently feasible and intelligent. Even in pictures it is necessary to be very tactful and discreet when making films treating of royalty, even mythological royalty, and even in eo airy and piquant a cornedv as this is, it is necessary to observe 'a dignified decorum and easy grace. "The Lucky Lady" i 9 distinguished by such a dignity, which is subtly and insidiously present even in moments of pure farce and riotous comedy. The story betrays an amazingly fertile imagination, one which, with a flair for the original and the daring, has been given carte blanche, which, however, is never abused, and with Greta Nissen to embellish this originality with her own inimitable wile 9 and her bright and vivacious ocmedy, the picture stands as a promisingly brilliant piece of screen entertainment. It is superbly mounted, and viewed by its histrionic aspect, is particularly interesting. Mare McDennott, Lionel

Barrymore, and William Collier, jun, support Miss Nissen, Barrymore especially adding to hie already illustrious name by hia portrayal of the, worldly prince. Many directors have been given control of Pola Negri pictures, but so far only one American has brought out anything like the Negri we saw in "Passions." He is Malcolm, St. Clair, and when he dirocted "Good and Naughty, the second attraction on the very excellent programme, he drew out the cream of the star's great dramatio talent, and the beat of her comedy, while the whole is pervaded with a light emotionalism which gives the finishing touch to the picture. Seen in & deoidodly modern setting, free from the ponderous trappings of other less entertaining films, Madame Negri has at last an opportunity 'to display her real talents, and her acting is consequently a revelation. "Good and Naughty" is a pleasantly sophisticated story, with a piquant snap to which the polished acting of the etar is admirably suited. It is an hilarious comedy of errors, in which Ford Sterling, that irresistible comedian, excells himself. Tom Moore is leading man, and is at all times disarming and amusing. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bunz, will "play a special musical programme, including the following numbers: —Overture, "Lutspiel" (Kela-Bela), Symphony, "Oxford" (Haydn), "Die Meister Singers" (Wagner), ''Japanese Suite" (Ho!st), "Ritter Pasmam" (Strauss), 'Prince Gioia" (Campbell), "Eoyal Rooters" (Morse), "Cannibal Chief" (Weidt), "No Fooling" (Hanley), "Tho Turkish Patrol" (Miehaelis). The box plans will be at the theatre during the holiday season.