SCREEN DEBUT DF STAGE ACTRESS

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 11

SCREEN DEBUT DF STAGE ACTRESS

IRENE VANBRUGH IN 1 HEAD OF THE FAMILY’ Lovers of British acting at its best may look forward to a special treat in. 1 Tne Head of the Family,’ the Warner Bros.-First National _ production which commences to-morrow at the St. James, for this picture marks the talkie debus of one or Britain’s leading stage stars, Irene Vanbrugh. Certainly this-is an important event in the annals of _ the British screen, and as can be imagined from the reputation of this great artist, no stone has been left unturned to ensure her vehicle being in keeping with her performances. The drama concerns the rivalry of two great steel magnates—Powis. Porter, whose conservative ideas precipitate his ruin, and Staumore, of the newer school of business, up to date in his methods and ruthless in his determination for success. Even after staumore has accomplished Porter’s downfall he cannot complete his victory of buying him out.' Porter refuses to sell the valuable process that once brought his success, despite his straitening circumstances. Guided by his wife, he successfully weathers the storm, but nob before incidents of the most dramatio kind have brought the ’ story to its thrilling and exciting climax. Throughout the uufoldment a powerful romantic note is struck by the love of Powis Porter’s daughter for Stanmore, which she can neither admit nor cherish because of the feud between him and her father. Arthur Maude supports Irene Vanbrugh as Powis Porter, acting with his usual fine restraint, and John Stuart is completely at home as Stanmore. In the role of the daughter Pat Paterson easily demonstrates why Hollywood has taken such an interest in her. and Roland Culver plays the erring son whose disgrace finally briugt the two rivals together. -