AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18889, 3 January 1927, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE LUCKY LADY."

"GOOD AND NAUGHTY." CRYSTAL PALACE, TO DAY. Seven, eleven, black catv rabbits' feet, four-leaf clovers— all symbols of good luck and relics of a rather pleasant paganism, were, despite their magic properties, banned from tho life of the Lucky Lady. The reason is eimple. "The Lucky Lad) "was that blonde und beautiful artist, Greta Nissen, and appearing in a picture of the sain© name at the Crystal Palace Theatre this week, she proves conclusively that she requires none of these things t-o ensure her happiness. The Lucky Lady was a princess, she was a blonde, ?hc was a very modern girl with a sense of humour and :i will of her own, and 1o crown all these sifts of the gods, one .fine day buc found herself, willy-nilly, ft devotee at Cupid's shrine. Being betrothed to ft royal and somewhat too-sophisticated prince, _ did not I assist matters, but blondes invariably get their own way. There may be eome who will petulantly aver that the plot is old, and that the princess who loved a commoner 13 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 Ecrmc humour in nearly every situation, the picture assumes a distinctly original atmosphere, and although from the moment its aims and motives, as it were, aie stated in the accepted manner, it takes many a novel and unconventional twist, it is at all times eminently feasible and intelligent. Even in pictures it is necessary to bo very tactful and discreet when making films treating of royalty, even mythological royalty, and even in so airy and piquant a comedy as this is, it is necessary to observe "a dignified decorum and easy grace "The Litcky Lady" is 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 {or the original and tho daring, has been given carte blanche, which, however, is never abused, and with Greta Nissen to embellish thiß originality with ber own inimitable wile 3 and her bright and vivacious comedy, the picture stands as a promisingly brilliant piece of screen entortainment. It is superbly mounted, and viewed by its histrionic aspect, is particularly interesting. Marc McDermott, Lionel Barrymore, and William Collier, jun, support Miss Nissen, Barrymore especially adding to his already illustrious name by his 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 directed "Good and Naughty, the second attraction on the very excellent programme, he drew out the cream of the star's great dramatic talent, and the best of her comedy, while the whole is pervaded with a light emotionalism which give 3 the finishing touch to the picture. Seen in a decidedly modern setting, free from the ponderous -trappings of other leas entertaining films, Madame Negri has at last ap opportunity to display her real talents, and her acting is consequently a rtftelation. "Good and Naughty" is a pleasantly sophisticated story, with a piquant snap to which the polished acting of tho star is admirably suited. It iB an hilarious comedy of errors, in which Ford Sterling, that irresistible comedian, excella 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" (Hoist), "Kitter Pasmam" (Strauss), "Prince Gioia" (Campbell), "Royal Booters" (Morse), "Cannibal Chief" (AVeidt), "No Pooling"' (Hanlcy), "The Turkish Patrol" (Michaelis). The box plans will be at the theatre during the holiday seuoa.