"THE PRIMROSE PATH."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 8

"THE PRIMROSE PATH."

| » WITH CLARA BOW. EVERYBODY'S. MONDAY It takes a good story to make a good picture, eo "The Primrose Path" has that in its favour. Also in its favour ia Miss Clara Bow, who surely is the most likely exponent of the art of the Primrose Path ihat could bo found. Miss Bow invests her picture with a, vast amount of that pert charm and airy indifference that makes a, good drama as £ood a comedy, and as the cabaret dancer in this film, she wriggles a shoulder t'i the immense piquancy of the story. For all this lighter aspect, howavej. "The Primrose Path." as a picture, is cast in a more melodramatic mould, with the conventional villain, the mysterious crime, the sinister influence that even the unselfish heroine, withal a cabaret dancer, cannot break. Thus the plot embodies a Great deal of everything, and embodies it in clever manner. It has something of the realities of life in it, as well as the romanticism that often finds its way down from the clouds of fancy, and when it iB not treading the heavy tiaok of drama, it is whistling gaily to the pipes of Pan, dangerous music, as Sir Philip Gibbs indulgently remarks, for young minds vo abeshingled hair-and jade earrings. The picture is a fair representation of the pre-sent-day attitude towards conventions and traditions, and thereby is exhilarating, independent and not without its attendant humours. Appearing willi Clara Bow in the cast are Arlino Pretty, Lydia Knott, Tom Santschi, and Stuart' Holmes. Kenneth Harlan plays the title role in "Tho Sap," the supporting feature on the programme. This picture ia a little gem, a miniature masterpiece in its wonderful presentation of human nature, telling the story of the mother's boy who was decorated as one of the little heroes of the Great War. and who was really a hopeless coward. On his return from France, his endeavours to live up to hi* new reputation are fraught with pathos and comedy, but when he finds that he really can abide by cats (the great Napoleon was also tremblingly terrified of cats), he polishes off *he town bully, silences everybody, and marries the girl. It is a picture without a hero, and a particularly good one at that. Eulalie Jensen and Mary McAlister play opposite Harlan. The Select Orchestra, under the direction of Mr Albert Bidgood, will play the following musical programme: Overture, "Euryanthe" (Weber), "Military Symphony" (Haydn). "Thias and j Talmaar" (Campbell), "Con d'Avril" (Widor), | "Milenia" (Blocke); selections, "Bal Masque" (Verdi), "Werther" (Massenet). "Liberty" (Langey), "Libesgarten" (Schumann), "Tragedie AntriqueP' (Massenet), entr'acte,. "Collette" (Ask). The box plans, are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.