MAJESTIC THEATRE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 256, 21 June 1932, Page 3

MAJESTIC THEATRE

TO-DAY AND TO-NIGHT "Mother's Millions," which opened last night at the Majestic Theatre, is a remarkable example of a mighty | good play transfered almost bodily j and in toto to the sereen, and with I eaually good, if not better results. ' Howard McKent Barnes wrote the [ play originally for May Robson's use. Though this reviewer never saw it, it is understood to have been a financial and artistic success for Miss Robson. It was this success which inspired her to use it as a vehicle for her talking picture debut. It is remarkable, of course, because it lent itself so remarkably to transcription to the screen. Winnifred Dunn is credited with the adaptation. It is still more remarkable for the vital and gripping performance of May Robson. This is not to be wondered at. The play [ was written for her, and James Flood very wisely retained the splendid dramatic climaxes, the appropriate comedy relief episodes as well as the stage characterizations which made the original play such a success. The screen, by virtue of her performance, and its promise of many more to come, gains a new personality, a new figure of vigorous strength and sure toueh. The story briefly deals with the trials and tribulations of the afcn and daughter of the richest woman in the world. The girl is eagerly sought in marriage by ne'er do wells and fortune hunters. The boy is a marlc for his mother's greatest rival, for , the mother is a dominating figure in ■ Wall Street, a tyrant in her own home, seriously endeavouring to bring up her children to be self-re-liant, and to educate them in the school of life so that they can retain and enjoy the heritage of wealth which she will leave them. The unexpected twists of this story are numerous and highly effective. Last night's audience enjoyed it all thoroughly. Frances Dade is one of the most beautiful of the new crop of screen ingennes; James Hall and Lawrence Gray bear their roles with distinci tion. A word of praxse should be given Lillian Harmer for a remarkable piece of characterization. Edmund Breese of course, is always good, and is especially effective in the role of William Remington.