"MISTER CINDERS"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 7

"MISTER CINDERS"

ENTERTAINING ENGLISH COMEDY PREVIEW AT PLAZA THEATRE A most successful stage play, "Mister Cinders," now appears transformed into a film which provides a fine measure of bright and pleasing entertainment. Those who saw it at the preview at the Plaza Theatre last evening must have felt that this adaptation of the old and popular fairy tale of Cinderella has been done with skill and a sense of humorous situation meriting high praise. Clifford Mollison, as Jim Lancaster, is seen as the male counterpart of Cinderella, and Zelma O'Neal as the fairy godmother. Jim is the poor relation, living with his aunt and her two sons, who are snobs, and his uncle, who is not of much importance in the Lancaster household. Jim's lot is not a pleasant one, and the opening chorus of "Where's Jim?" indicates the manner in which he is at the beck and call of all. Mollison has been seen to better advantage, it may be, in some of his other films; but it is rarely that so many competent comedians have been assembled for the one picture, and Mollison in consequence carries less of the burden than he has been accustomed to carry. Zelma O'Neal, who is Jill Kemp, the daughter of the American multi-mil-lionaire, is rapidly winning foj; herself an outstanding name as an actress, with her characteristics of a girl who is a little irresponsible, always gay, and by nature most good-hearted. In "Mister Cinders" she becomes a maid to Mrs Lancaster, the social climber, who remains unaware that she is harbouring the girl whom she most desires her sons to meet, and unaware that her new maid is the daughter of her rich neighbour, for whose friendship and acquaintance she is so anxious. But that friendship and that acquaintance develop between the maid and the outcast Jim, and the complications of the situation increase. Jim is, of course, denied an invitation to the millionaire's party, given in honour bf his daughter, but she. still as the maid to Mrs Lancaster, procures an invitation for him and sends him off dressed

in a suit of armour and rejoicing in tlie name of the Earl of Ditcham. Jill's birthday presents disappear, the thief contriving to make it appear that the Earl of Ditcham, whose masquerade has been revealed, is responsible. Jim departs toward the police station in the company of Constable Merks, whose visions of rewards and promolion are cut short when he finds hifnself precipitated into a cucumber frame. Jim then flees, accompanied by Jill, through chance captures the real thief and his accomplice, and leaves them tied to the railings fronting the police station, addressed to Constable Merks. And Jim, of course, gets the large reward the millionaire has offered, and the millionaire's daughter. There is an abundance of humorous situations here, and there is sortje clever dialogue. Special mention must be made of the song numbers, particularly "Delightful People, Aren't We' All?" as sung by the Western brothers. "I Could Get Used to You," and "Spread a Little Happiness."' "Java Head," which formed the first part of the programme, is a film adapted from the novel by Joseph Hergesheimer, produced by Basil Dean, with Edmund Gwenn, Anna May Wong, Elizabeth Allan, and John Loder as the principal players. This combination of individual talents has resulted in a picture that is throughout deeply interesting, dramatic, and exceptionally well acted. Edmund Gwenn, as usual, gives an impression of strength and sincerity in his acting. He is an old sea captain, with one of his sons inheriting his love of the sea, the other inclined to life on land, and concerned only with profits. Into his Bristol home his first son one day brings a Chinese wife, clothed in the glory of her Manchu robes. Again, in Anna May Wong, there is seen an actress whose work rings true, and who, in this instance, gives the needed Oriental flavour to the film. The fine dramatic instinct of the novelist has providpd excellent material for an outstanding picture.