AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S PICTURES. “SIN OF MADELON CLAUDET.” \ . The story of a woman who descends to the lowest depths iu order to insure the happiness of her son is told in “The Sin* of Madelon Claudet,” which will ' open to-night at the Princess Theatre. 44 The” picture was adapted from the Ed'waird'Knoblock stage success, “The Lullaby.” Helen Hayes, the distinguished adtress who scored on Broadway in '“Coquette,” makes her screen debut in the production, and the cast includes Lewis Stone, Neil Hamilton, Robert Young, Cliff Edwards, Jean Hersholt, Marie Prevost, Karen Morlev, Charles 'I Wittninger, Alan Hale, Halliwell Hob--1 bes,' Lennox Pawle, and Russ Rowed. Miss Hayes is called upon to effect a striking change of makeup during the course of the picture, in which she is first seen as an attractive young girl and;later as a haggard old woman. The plot concerns the melodramatic career of the girl from the time she elopes with an artist against the wishes of her family through the vicissitudes of her life, in' which she is thrown into prison and is subsequently forced to adopt the most shameful means of livelihood in order to support her child. High points of dramatic interest occur in the scenes in which the father of Madelon -attempts to coerce her into a marriage with a person whom she despises; her escape from home with Larry, the young artist; the forced departure of Larry for America.;, the. meeting of Madelon and Boretti, in which the- ugly duckling becomes a swan. The striking, ~ climax occurs in the episode in which Boretti, revealed as a thief, commits suicide and Madelon, unjustly indicated as his accomplice, is sent to prison. Following her release, the state refuses to return her son to' a “gaolbird.” The .remainder of. the istory concerns Madelon’s heroic efforts to prevent her past from marring her son’s career. Th e picture has been compared both to “Madame X” and “Stella Dallas” in its sweep and emotional appeal.