NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 779, 27 September 1929, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“MADAME X” TOMORROW Adolphe Menjou’s first talkie, a sophisticated romance, entitled “Fashions In 'Love,” will be presented at the New Regent Theatre for the last time this evening. Tomorrow the Regent will present the outstanding talkie “Madame X,” starring Ruth Chatterton, famous American stage player. The new picture was directed by Lionel Barrymore and is the first big feature that erstwhile famous stage and screen actor has handled. He made his i directorial debut in “Confession,” a i short subject, also an all-talking film, i Barrymore has developed a new j technique for the dialogue screen, a ; technique that combines the best of i ! the stage and the old silent movies. It ; allows for increased action and speed. A notable cast was selected to portray “Madame X” in its picture version. Lewis Stone and Raymond Hackett both have featured roles. Stone as the husband of the tragic and mysterious j "Madame X,” and Hackett as the son. Ullric Haupt plays La Rocque and i Eugenie Besserer, the kind-hearted i nurse of “Madame’s” little son; Sydney ; Toler, Richard Carle, former musical j comedy star on Broadway, both have great character parts; Mitchell Lewis plays Colonel Ilanby. the first rogue into whose power “Madame X” falls; Carroll Nye, Claude King, and others are in the elaborate list of supporting players. “Madame X” was first made famous on the stage by Sarah Bernhardt. It has since been a favourite of all the great | tragediennes of the theatre. Dorothy i Donnelly first presented it on the j American stage. Several years it was made into a motion picture by the I old Goldwyn company with Pauline, j Frederick in the title role. The play was adapted for its present filmisation by Willard Mack, who has ■ already established an important place I for himself on the talking screen. The Xew York “Times” said of this I picture:—• j “Lionel Barrymore's talking pictorial I transcription of Alexandre Bisson's i stage melodrama, “Madame X,” which ! was presented recently before an enthusiastic throng, is an extraordinarily j poignant production. It is Mr. Barry - ; more’s first attempt at the direction of a feature-length dialogue film, and his | masterful stage technique is revealed |in almost all the scenes. The voices | from the animated shadows held the ; audience to the last bitter glimpse of 1 the frowsy mother after she is de- : fended by her own son. . . . This is j another talking picture that shows that | this new type of entertainment is bounding ahead in the manner of tellI ing stories. Miss Chatterton lends to i her part acting rarely found on the i screen.”

The brilliant array of talking, singing and dancing featurettes which make up the remainder of the programme includes songs by Johnnie Marvin, gramophone recording artist; selections, songs and dances from Joe Spitlany's Band; another revue by Gus Edwards in natural colours, and, finally, a Rathe Audio Review.