THE REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 3, 25 March 1927, Page 11

THE REGENT

“THE MARRIAGE CLAUSE” An unalloyed treat is provided for patrons of the Regent in “The Marriage Clause,” a University-Jewel production, whic£ made its appearance at that theatre to-day. For sheer interest and story value this picture marks one of the high spots of the current cinema season. “The Marriage Clause” is a story of the mysterious life back-stage. It concerns the career of Sylvia Jordan, an inexperienced girl who is given an opportunity by Barry Townsend, a famous stage director. As he develops her career, he finds that he is falling in love with her. Unknown to him she reciprocates his affection, but he believes that her heart is given to Ravenal, the producer.

Gradually her star rises and with her rise Townsend descends lower and lower in the social scale. Pie begins to feel that she needs him no longer and he becomes full of despair. Sylvia’s big night arrives, when she is to make her premiere in a new play. She is unable to appear owing to the absence of her beloved Townsend, but Ravenal deceives her into thinking that the manager is present. Stimulated, she makes her appearance and achieves an outstanding triumph.

Unknown to both, Townsend is in the audience, and his heart becomes bitter to think that she is able to make her success without him. From then on the story takes a most original twist and the audience is kept in suspense until the final foot of the last reel.

A brilliant cast delineates the various roles, with Billie Dove and Francis X. Bushman in the leading parts. Warner Oland is the producer in the photo-play, and Grace Darmond is a jealous actress.

On the supporting programme is a notable J. C. Williamson celebrity vaudeville act, that of the Stavannays, Swedish equilibrists extraordinary. The Regent String Quartette, an innovation on the musical side of the theatre, makes its initial appearance, and Eddie Horton gives new numbers on the mighty Wurlitzer organ. The operatic orchestra, under the baton of Maurice Guttridge, plays the overture, “La Dame Blanche.”