MAYFAIR

Evening Star, Issue 22456, 29 September 1936, Page 11

MAYFAIR

Delightful entertainment is presented in ‘Ah, Wilderness!’ the film version of Eugent O’Neill’s famous play, which is now showing at the Mayfair. In this production O’Neill, author of ‘Anna Christie’ and ‘ Strange Interlude,’ tells a straightforward tale of the follies of the young and the tolerance of the middle-aged, depicted with insight and kindly humour. On the eve of his departure from high school, Richard Miller, chosen to make a farewell speech on behalf of the pupils, dreamed of delivering an address which would revolutionise society. But the film is not all burlesque, for there are many moments of real pathos, and the story is told with feeling and restraint. Much depends on the actors, who play their parts well. Lionel Barrymore makes a most sympathetic father of a family, Wallace Beery is exceedingly funny as a seldom-sober uncle, and Eric Linden gives a sensitive and moving portrayal Aline MacMahon again shows what an excellent character actress she is in her depiction of self-imposed sninsterhood. The second feature on the programme is a riotous Wheeler and Woolsey comedy, ‘ The Nitwits.’