ST. JAMES

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 14

ST. JAMES

The vivacious young actress, Jean Harlow, who scored an outstanding success iu ‘ China Seas ’ with Clark Gable, has the leading feminine role in ‘ Biff-Raff,’ which heads the programme at the St. James. In the part of a working girl employed in a fish coaming factory, she reveals dramatic talent of a very high order, and although the part is one which calls for considerable ability, her portrayal is most satisfying. In love with a burly fisherman, who refuses to recognise her devotion for him until she has gone to prison for stealing money to help him out of his difficulties, the independent Hattie is at length reconciled to her somewhat boastful lover, and the film ends on a distinctly cheerful note. Spencer Tracy gives a virile performance in the part of Dutch Miller, the young fisherman who causes Hattie so much anxiety, while other roles are capably portrayed by Una Merkel, Joseph Caiieia, Mickey Rooney, and J. Farrell _ MacDonald. An entertaining selection of shorter films also is shown. ‘PAGE MISS GLORY.’ 1 Charming Marion Davies, one of 'America’s outstanding stars, will appear at the St. James next week in '‘Page Miss Glory,’ her first Cosmopolitan picture to be released by Warner Bros. Supporting Miss Davies is a remarkable all-star _ cast of famous “name players,” including Dick Powell. Pat O’Brien, Mary Astor, - Frank M‘Hugh, Lyle Talbot, Patsy Kelly, Barton Mac Lane, Allen Jenkins, Hobart Cavanaugh, and a score o# others. ‘ Page Miss Glory ’ was a big hit on the Broadway stage. A new song, also bearing the title * Page Miss Glory,’ written by Hollywood’s leading team of “ hit ” writers, Warren and Dubin, is sung as a duet by Miss Davies and Dick Powell. The story of 1 Page Miss Glory * is as funny as it is unique. Miss Davies, in the role of a country girl, neither pretty nor bright, gets a job as chambermaid in a big New York hotel in which re- . side a promoter, portrayed by Pat • O’Brien, who has nothing to promote, and Frank M‘Hugh, a jobless newspaper photographer. The action from this point is fast and furious. Miss Davies, one of the screen’s most beautiful women, wears some gorgeous gowns, especially designed for her by Orry-Kelly. ‘Pag© Miss Glory,’ with its unusual cast, magnifient settings, and fascinating plot, is said to be the greatest of Miss Davies’s score of film hits.