NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

"MADAME X” TVlien the screen takes a time-hon-oured novel, or a play that has achieved international success and adapts it to its own peculiar technique, theatregoers usually wait, curious, to see how the original will be altered in the translation. Hence, when the Regent announced “Madame X” as a new talking picture play, with Ruth Chatterton, stage star, as heroine. and Lionel Barrymore, famous stage actor, as director, picture fans sat up and took notice. “Would it follow the original?” The answer is being seen this week at the Theatre, where the new play is

being shown to astounded and delighted crowds. For not only does the picture version retain everything that the stage play had, but adds a great deal more—• and it is presented in a series of concentrated dramatic scenes that crowd three

n uin vxnai.iwri.wii times the drama into the same length of time that it took to present the play. Of course scenic effects impossible on the stage mark the play—the heroines’ wandering in the Orient, in South America, and other lands are all shown in vivid and colourful scenes. Lewis Stone is seen as “Floriot.” the stern husband, whose treatment of his erring wife drives her forth on her weary and anguished journey to the ends of the world. As the stern logician and clumsy lover he gives a splendidly restrained performance, while his talking voice, trained by long years on the stage, leaves nothing to be desired. Miss Chatterton makes her role one of the emotional triumphs of her career. The vivid scene in the court room, where she faces her husband and the son who never learns her identity, is one of the most gripping episodes ever seen on the screen. The brilliant talking, singing and dancing featurettes which make up the remainder of the programme include 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.