STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 679, 3 June 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“MOTHER KNOWS BEST” When scores of theatre patrons, hurrying to get to their homes with .the programme completed, voluntarily pause on their way out to compliment the manager of a theatre on the excellence of a feature picture, then one must conclude that the talkie in question is exceptional in entertainment value. “Mother Knows Best,” the talkie featuring Madgo Bellamy, Louise Dresser and Barry Norton, now at the Strand Theatre, was the recipient of these commendations on Saturday evening. The writer adds the printed word of commendation here, for “Mother Knows Best” in superb screen entertainment. The evolution of Edna Berber’s story on the screen shows the process of the development of a child prodigy appearing and failing on amateur night, through tho baptism of flro until she reaches Broadway, the goal of all thespians, wealth, fame and affluence, with her mother the guilidng spirit of the march to fame. Then one sees what the years have built up, over a path of suffering and sacrifice, go tumbling into the discard when tho first romance the girl lms ever known comes into her life and tho love that she feels every woman is entitled to- is stifled by the mother. Madge Bellamy, hitherto identified in Fox Films with ingenue and flapper roles, verging from light comedy to farce and interspersed with flaming youth, is a revelation, both with her speaking voice and in displaying rare emotional ability. Miss Bellamy also demonstrates b„£r versatility in imitations of Sir Harry Lauder. AI Jolson and Anna Held, a component part of the story. Louis© Dresser, for many years unapproaclied as a character actress, gives the most inspired portrayal of her career as “Ma Quail,” while commendable performances are given by the entire company, including Barry Norton, of “What Price Glory” fame, Albert Gran, Joy Auburn and Stuart Erwin. An excellent supporting programme has also been arranged. There is another Fox Movietone News. with events of the day in talk and sound, and also the first three-reel all-talkie comedy to be shown in Auckland, entitled “The Happy Birthday.” Lois Moran and Rex Bell have been cast for leading roles in “Ecstasy,” a new picture to be directed by Raymond Cannon for Fox Films.