BIG PERSONALITIES

Rotorua Morning Post, 29 August 1931, Page 4

BIG PERSONALITIES

TRAGIC STORY OF RICH GIRL'S FALL. In "Manslaughter," the Majestic Theatre feature which opens on September 7, Paramount has brought together three of the biggest personalities the stage has given to talking pictures. They are George Abbott, the director, Claudette Colbert and Fredric March. Each of them has contributed an excellent piece of "Work to the Alice Duer Miller story, which since its first appearance in 1922, has become a best-seller novel of all time. "Manslaughter" is the story of a wealthy girl, carefree, careless and thoughtlessly selfish. When she falls in love with the serious-minded and ambitious young district attorney, she resents his critciism of her mode of life. Then tragedy overtakes her madcap career, and she faces a term m prisun, with the district . attorney fighting against her. Her love turn 3 to hate when she finds all Her wealth and influence, her beauty and her wiles are unable to save her from justice. In prison she frnds a ruthless system among people who recognise no social distinctions. Sullen at first, she learns the true bitterness of isolation. Then she becomes more friendly and finds live easier. Freed from prison, her one thought is revenge against the district attorney, but, when she meets him, her petty vengeance lacks flavour, and she realises she loves him. "Manslaughter" is a tensely gripping story. Exciting aqua-plane racing; palatial homes of the wealthy; a thrilling, shocking automohile accident; a dramatic court trial; a riot in the women's prison — such are the scenes that make up its swiftly moving drama. And Claudette Colhsrt, as the wilful, capricious heroine, is magnificent all the way through.