HIGHLY UNUSUAL

Evening Star, Issue 23687, 21 September 1940, Page 7

HIGHLY UNUSUAL

RAFT-BfIENNETT “ GAOL " DRAMA I featuring a highly unusual and exciting gaol picture, ‘ The House Across the Bay,’ in company with a very strong supporting programme, the bill initiated at the State last night made a decided hit with the large house, and sh'ould have a profitable run. It is one of tho outstanding entertainments _ of tho week, with Joan Bennett starring in what has been talked of as the best performance of her career, and George Haft adding a dash of humour to emphasise his general toughness. Different from tho crime angle which usually accompanies this type of story, in that it is an net of renunciation by the wife of a get-rich-qnick racketeer, who has incurred the animosity of gangster clients that scuds the husband to prison for his safety, ‘ The House Across the Bay’ adds the appeal of romance and humour to that of thrilling melodrama in the famous place of incarceration, Alcatraz Rock. In the role of the wife, who betrays her husband because she loves him, Joan Bennett rises to great heights. Incidentally. she alsb sings two songs. George Haft is oven tougher than ever after he has raised a smile or two, while Llnvd Nolan. Walter Pidgeon. and Gladys George are also included in a very select cast. Archie Mayo, director of many notable hits, was at the megaphone for ‘The House Across the Bay,’ and helms infused the picture with rich drama, with stirring emotion, with swift action, and arresting tempo. Never once does the action lag for the dialogue, for Ma yo has combined the two into an exciting whole. _ ■ ‘ The House Across tho Bay ’ is tho story of Brenda Bentley (Joan Bennett). a beautiful and alluring woman; who is left in a hostile world when her husband is convicted for income tax

evasion and sent to a Federal prison in San Francisco Bay. It is Brenda’s problem to battle this hostile world and to work for the faith and loyalty expected of her by the man behind bars 1 . Brenda is exposed to temptations and to difficulties, but her love for her husband remains a blinding emotion to which she clings against all odds. However, when Walter Pidgeon, the second romantic lead, comes into her life the picture moves swiftly and dynamically to a climax that is as dramatic as it is unexpected. For the first time in her career the lovely Miss Bennett does an exhibition rhumba on the screen. She proves again that she is not only a fine dramatic actress, a clever, comedienne, but also a past master at handling the light fantastic toes. George Raft, who is noted for his brilliant screen portrayals, is excellent as the latter-day gentleman who is extremely ambitious and finally comes to grips with tho law.

There is a strong supporting programme.