"A LITTLE JOURNEY."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19151, 7 November 1927, Page 6

"A LITTLE JOURNEY."

"FOOTLOOSE WIDOWS." . EVERYBODY'S, TO-DAT. Hour youth wins the day from the older folks is the foundation of the Metro-Goldwyn picture "A Little Journey," the chief attraction at Everybody's Theatre this -neck, a charming comedy-romance that should have been given a far more pretentious name than it has received. So negative a title does not always augur well for the box office, but when so gracoful and pleasing a tale comes to town, it does not take verv long for the tidings to spread, and its title' will be no handicap. A clever cast of plavers appear' in "A Little Journey." Will'iam Haines, Claire Windsor, and Claire McDowell play the leading roles, with Harry Carey, who. first made screen history manv years ago in Wild Westerns, plaving his first''-'white-collar" role.' 'The,' story is written by Kachel Crothers, one of the most brilliant of living. American plavwrights arid -as.it is directed by .Robert Leonard, 'who knows- his megaphone surprisinglv well "A' Little Journey" can well afford to* lift'-up its head among its prouder follows. Most- of the action takes place in- a Pullman coach, and, it transpires, a Pullman coach is a fine place to get in on your enemy, lay siege to the heart of a fair lady, and pummel Fate for all you are worth. A five-day page from life, so real that one is prone to forget that this bit was meant for comedy, this for drama, the whole so perfectly constructed that one is never conscious of the mechanics of picture making. And as its attractive story is so skilfully executed, there can be no doubt as to its brilliant entertainment possibilities. Simplicity is the height of art, and simplicity of plot characterises "A Littlo Journey" throughout, the story of the girl who used to be rich, and of tho man who was not a prince or a millionaire in disguise, all very natural, but very refreshing after a surfeit of candid roinancc.The humour of tho picture is inimitable, an' insouciant'humour that throws into effective relief the really strong drama of the plot, and affords an admirable canvas nn which the players ply their emotions. Claire Windsor contributes a stately beauty and gentle manners to the part she so gracefullv plavs, while William Haines, as the young man who' finds himself so suddenly up against realities, gives quite the best performance of the piece. ...

Hilarity in husband-hunting might be ;m apt sub-caption for "Footloose 'Widows " the second feature on the bill, a bright, and breezy comedy in which Louise Fazcnda is widow- Extraordinary, and Jacf|ueline Logan is Widow iu excelsis, a sort of Hobsou's choice. The amazing activities of the two merry widows of the story provido excitement, humour, and light drama enough for anyone, and while all the cast are exceptionally good, Louise Fazcnda is quite the <best. The Select Orchestra, under Mr Albert Bidgood, will play- a programme of incidental music, specially arranged. The box plans are at. The Bristol Piano Co., whero scats may be reserved.