PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 May 1927, Page 15

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

“THE POPULAR SIN” When a beautiful, dignified gentlewoman is married to a roystering rounder, marital difficulties are likely —divorce probable. When a beautiful, temperamental, sirenesque actress is married to a serious-minded, pedantic author, difficulties are more than likely—divorce almost inevitable. But when into both marriages a posing, egotistical stage director intrudes, linking both couples in impending scandal, the tragedy of mis-mated lives is turned into comedy. Such is the complicated situation arrived at in Florence Vidor’s new Paramount starring picture, “The Popular Sin,” which Malcolm St. Clair directed from Monta Bell’s original screen story. Clive Brook, Greta Nissen, and Philip Strange are the featured players in this comedy of marriage and divorce, laid against a background of Parisian stage and society life, coming to the Princess and Tivoli Theatres to-morrow. Many “triangle” stories have found their way to the screen, but Miss Vidor’s vehicle is the first that has ever been described as a “triple triangle” story. In “The Popular Sin,” with only six principals, there are three distinct situations in which two men love one woman, or two women love one man. There is, to be sure, one man whom Miss Vidor really loves, but when she meets him she is really married to another. Divorce results, and she is happily remarried. But another woman enters her husband’s life, and a second divorce ensues. How she finally re-wins the man, after his second divorce, provides the climax of one of the most engaging sophisticated comedies that has yet reached the screen.