EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 22450, 22 September 1936, Page 13

EMPIRE

Another of her unmistakably inclidual characterisations is given by Mae West in ' Klondyko Annie,' which is the current attraction at the Empire. Tho name of the world-famous Mao is in itself sufficient attraction to draw audiences, but, coupled with a story of such outstanding inorit as ' Klondyke Annie,' it is little wonder that the film was viewed by excellent houses. No one other than a superb actress could make convincing the amazing characters in which Mae West specialises, and in which she exploits the manners and costumes of tho 'nineties for the entertainment of the present generation. In 'Klondyke Annie,' the scene changes to San Francisco and Alaska, but all tho spirit of that era is ipreserved intact. In this latest production from the West repertoire the famous star plays the part of an entertainer in a night club in Chinatown. Tho story begins witli Miss West playing a double "game with a Chinese, who decides to blind her and gets stabbed in tho back by the lady for his .pains. She escapes to a ship bound for the Klondyke—the period is the gold-rush days—and immediately enslaves the husky skipper. As this gentleman is flayed by Victor M'Laglen, it can be imagined that a romance rapidly develops. There is, however, a great deal more to the story after the ship reaches Alaska, and " 'Frisco Doll" becomes a missionary for her own purposes. 'WIFE VERSUS SECRETARY.' Tho conflict between a wife and a secretary for the affections of a millionaire publisher forms the theme of ' Wife Versus Secretary,' which will commence at the Empire on Friday. For those who search for real modern entertainment the picture can be recommended as something that should be seen. Gable in the polished role of Van Sanford, a millionaire publisher, is as brilliant ns ever, and shows his versatility to audiences which have been used to seeing him in such vigorous parts as Fletcher Christian and Captain Gaskell, the latter part being taken in ' China Seas,' when he was said to give the finest portrayal of his career. Clarence Brown, who directed ' Wife Versus Secrotary,' is the ' man who was responsible for the Greta Garbo attraction, ' Anna Karenina,' and the film version of Eugene O'Neill's ' Ah, Wilderness.' As for Jean Harlow and Myrna Loy, it is hard to decide which is the better actress of the two, but in view of the more sympathetic role she has been given, the honours seem to lie with Miss Loy.