"MANTRAP."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18900, 15 January 1927, Page 8

"MANTRAP."

A GOOD-HUMOURED SATIRE. CRYSTAL TALACE, MONDAY. Clara Bow may not bo tv blonde, but, with dusky locks and a pair of sparkling eyes, she onslavo3 many a helpless nnd unsuspecting male. In "Mantrap," the Paramount comedy-drama which op;ns at the Crystal Palace Theatre on Monday, she lias a typically alluring role, but, with nor elovation to stardom, she haß disca.ded a number of hur trick mannerisms, and, ,ipt'lcciating the rcnjly solid story given nor, has played her part with excellent dramatic and humorous eifect. "Mantrap" i 9 a subtly clever and vastly amusing satire on the "great open epaces" subject, and u likewise brilliant satiro on tho themo of the eternal triangle, which, for all this sardonic hurnjur of treatment and satirical bandinage, arc refreshingly intelligent. The producers of tho pichlre have puf intelligence first in making it, and the happy result makes for something different in screen diversion. Ccming from the mature pen of Sinclair Lewis, the story bear 3 the imprint of drama, which element has been skilfully embellished by a clever director with boldly original heart, interest. Although the story holds one's attention throughout, it is amazing the alteration effected in her technique by Clara Bow, which is the most arresting feature in the picture. Although her brilliant personality loses none ot its piquant appeal, she is no longer the somewhat flamboyantly sophisticated young person of other films. She is an artist with an appreciation of the artistic. She is supported by Ernest Torrance and Percy Marmont, the fonncr humorous and wholly likeable as the rugged character from the Canadian backwoods, and the latter polished, bored, a weary divorce lawyer, playing a difficult role with uffectivo sint•plicity. Sally O'Neill, who has mado a meteoric rise in the film world, stars in "Don'i," the second picture, a whirling, breathless comedy-drama of ultra-modern life, with a snap and a sparkle imparted as much by this actress's personality as by tho brilliant littlo story itself. In a dramatic scene, Miss O'Neill is never at, .a, loss, and in tho comedy sequences sho takes the matter into her own capable modern, young hands, and the standard of tho picture is raised accordingly. "Don't" is a clover comedy, basically solid and thoughtful, hut which looks most optimistically upon this best of all possible of worlds, which belonga after all to the youth thereof. John Patrick plays tho chief supporting role, with nonchalant ease and effectiveness. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will play a selected orchestral programme, including tho following numbers: Overture, "Mignon" (Thomas); "Quite'' (Lalo): "In tho Steppes of Central Asia'' (Eorodine); "Don' 4 Wake Me Up" (Jolson); "Don't Wast© Your Tears" (Jolson); "Don't Crv, Swannee" (Jolson); "Don't Bring Lulu. Biit Do" (Cohen); "Don't Blame It All On Me" (Cohen): "Don't be Too Sure" ("Cohen); "Don't Mind th» Bain" 'Cohen). The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, whore seats may be reserved.