ST. JAMES THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 15

ST. JAMES THEATRE

“Stablemates” Wallace Berry, recalling somewhat his role in “The Champ,” where he was a broken-down pugilist, appears in “Stablemates,” which is in its second week at the St. James Theatre, as a broken-down veterinary surgeon. His ultimate regeneration is still brought about by his affection for a youth who “adopts” him. Mickey Rooney has the role, originally created by Jackie Coopex, of the boy for whose sake Beery becomes a better man,' and he handles it with his usual great skill, except that it would seem a mistake for his director not to have exercised more restraint over his emotional moments. There are occasions when Mickey Rooney, who is essentially a “tough” little actor, is embarrassingly tearful. Apart from this, there is a very elose and enthusiastic contest between Beery and Rooney for the acting honours, and this helps, perhaps more than the actual plot, to sustain interest in the film. Their partnership begins when Beery, as the alcoholic loafer round the race-tracks, Is persuaded by Rooney, a stable boy, to perform a brilliant operation on a horse which Rooney has saved from being destroyed. The scene in which Beery, fortified with gin, removes a tumour from the horse’s hoof by the light of a torch, is full of tense drama. The success of the operation cements their friendship; they decide to tram the horse together; and it is not long before the dilapidated veterinary surgeon’s regeneration is so far achieved that he and the boy “adopt” each other as father and son. There follows an idyllic interlude on a farm, which is shattered by the news that the police are on the trial of Berry for an old crime. There are the usual misunderstandings before Mickey Rooney rides his horse to victory in an important race. This race is photographed with more than enough exciting realism. The final scene would seem somewhat spoiled by another display of emotional over-acting by the old star and the young one. In general, their roles are expertly handled, and they are backed .up by resourceful direction and some interesting supporting players.