"THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19063, 27 July 1927, Page 6

"THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT."

BELLE BENNETT IN GREAT ROLE. i The-Fourth Commandment is: Honour thy Father!and thy Mother. That is the theme on which is based the fine film play, ''The Fourth. Commandment" which opens at the Liberty Theatre next week, with Belle Bennett, a splendid character actress with a leaning to the emotional, in the leading part. The Bcreen has seen many films dealing with love of all descriptions, even mother love in "Humoresque" and "Over the Hill,, but this Universal picture, built on the same plot, is yet a thousand times different in details and a thousand times more polished in effect than either of the other two productions, a story with a broad understanding of human nature, a drama, with all those very necessary touches of romance and pathos and humour to make it palatable to the public. Directed by a sympathetic and delicate hand, betraying the master at every tiirn, The Fourth Commandment" is not merely a particularly good interpretation of a superior if familiar theme. It is a highly dramatic offering, with a climax which is akin to those sombre efforts of Ibsen, but with human and comedy interests in it to preserve its natural and lifelike appearance. It is Belle Bennett mainly who makes the picture just what it is, just aa she made "Stella Dallas." She lends the story an air of tragic intensity which thows into relief the youthful zest and unconsciously cruel youth of June Marlowe and Robert Agnow, who play the juvenile leads. Miss Bennett interprets her onerous role with a nicety which places her work among the outstanding performances of the year, in a picture of rare power and subtle appeal. It is a role which might very easily have been overdone with, emotion and melodrama, but in her hands it becomes a delightfully realistic and finished piece of mother acting. The story features human frailties just as it does the finer aspects of human nature, and in portraying alike the former as well as the latter, the star shows herself a potential emotional player. In comedy and pathos, in romantic pleasure and the stern realities, all of which the story abounds in, all the cast are complete masters, a great aid to the success of this exceptional production. Mary Carr completes the four celebrated stars in the piece, who are supported by minor players of talent and charm. To-mor-row morning the box plans will open at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.