STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 305, 16 March 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“SORRELL AND SON” To-day at the Strand Theatre, the magnificent screen success of Warwick Deeping’s famous book, “Sorrell and Son,” commences on its third week of screening. Throughout this week, large audiences have attended the picturisation of the great English drama. This is not to be wondered at in view of the fact that it is one of the best of Herbert Brenon’s productions. English in spirit and English in its very atmosphere, “Sorrell and Son” must rank as one of the finest and most interesting films seen in Auckland for some time. Few better actors than H. B. Warner could be entrusted with the part of Stephen Sorrell. The role was difficult and demanded acting of a character which only a man with the finesse of Warner could portray. Nils Asther, Anna Q. Nilsson, Carmel Myers, Alice Joyce and Norman Trevor are in the supporting roles of the cast, and they portray their parts in excellent manneir. Truly, it is a magnificent production. “Sorrell and

Son” tells the story of the love a father bore for his son, a love which enabled him to bear insults and misery so that his son might benefit. The background of the theme is post-war England, and tells of the struggles of Captain Sorrell, whose wife has deserted both him and his son. Sorrell, brokenrhearted and out of work, finally accepts employment in a country inn, where the misery of his position is forced upon him. Florence Palfrey, the landlady, gloats over his downfall, and grudges him the hour he has with his son each evening. Sorrell openly despises the woman. For this he is dismissed. Sorrell’s high qualities are recognised by Thomas Roland, who engages the unlucky man as a porter in his inn. Years pass,, and finally happiness comes to Sorrell through his son, who becomes a successful surgeon, and not forgetting the sacrifices made by his father, does all he can to make his later life happy. The Strand Symphony Orchestra under the directorship of Eve Bentley plays a fine musical programme, specially featuring as their overture, “The Rose.” An effective stage prologue precedes the screening of the photoplay.