STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 609, 11 March 1929, Page 14

STRAND

“THE WOMAN DISPUTED” Unexcelled acting, a sweeping story of love, intrigue and sacrifice, climactic production and perfect direction, combine to make “The Woman Disputed,” Norma Talmadge’s newest screen vehicle, entertainment-plus. The big picture—for it is big in every sense of the word—attracted a crowded house to the Strand Theatre on Saturday, and spectators were unanimous in proclaiming it the best in Miss Talmadge’s career. Directed by Henry King and Sam Taylor “The Woman Disputed,” a continental story laid in the early days of the world war, presents a notable cast in support of the star.

The story opens in a gay Austrian town before the war. Two young men, officers in the Austrian and Russian armies, form a real affection for a girl whose life up until the time she meets them is a sordid one. She has been a woman of the streets, but under lier mask of sophistication there burns the light of reformation. The trio is happy together until both men realise that they love the girl, then with the outbreak of war comes separation, the girl’s acceptance of one of the men, the shattering of friendships, hatreds and the defeated lover’s opportunity for revenge. Mary Ann Wagner, a woman with a soul, is played sublimely with all the acting genius that is Miss Talmadge’s. A lesser craftswoman would make her trashy; in Norma’s hands she is a living, breathing Magdalen whom true love finally lifts from the ruck.

Sharing honours with the star in this daring and spectacularly filmed story are many fine actors. Thousands of people appear in some of the bigger scenes. Gilbert Roland, the young Spaniard who within a year has risen to world fame as a portrayer of romantic roles, again is Norma’s leading man, and his performance in “The Woman Disputed” exceeds even the fire of his “Armand” in “Camille.” Arnold Kent, as the second lover, runs Roland a close second. Others who score in “The Woman Disputed” are Michael Vavitch, Gustav Von Seyffertitz, Boris de Fas, and i Gladys Brockwell. Henry King deserves credit for his faultless direction. No picture he ever made —“Tol’ble David,” “The White Sister,” “Stella Dallas,” “The Magic Flame,” and other successes—has the charm, the sincerity, the dramatic intensity of “The Woman Disputed.” Sam Taylor, director of Harold Lloyd’s | biggest feature comedies, including ! “Girl Shy” and “Safety Last,” as codirector with Mr. King, has done much to give the picture the light and shade so necessary to a popular success.

A delightful feature of the supporting programme is the appearance of little Baby June, aged five, who introduces the “Varsity Stomp” and gives impressions of local celebrities.

Eve Bentley’s Strand Sypiphony Orchestra plays a special musical accompaniment.