NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 784, 3 October 1929, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“MADAME X” It is rather hard to tell for whom “Madame X” is the greatest triumph 1 —Rutli Chatterton or Lionel Barry- j more. i Certainly it is Miss Chattel-ton’s outstanding role since she became a lum-t * inary of the talking screen. And most J certainly Lionel Barrymore, who re- 1 cently forsook acting to become a ' director, can point to it as one of the outstanding directorial feats of the 1 season. The new all-talking drama is un- ‘ doubtedly one of the greatest produc- { tions of its kind since the film has t found its voice, and audiences at the ‘ New Regent Theatre, where it is now \ showing, are unanimous in a chorus J of approbation. J The famous stage play has been 4 translated to the screen in a manner J that keeps intact every bit of its original dramatic power, and to this 1 are added gorgeous scenes showing many parts of the world, and settings - of course impossible on a stage. The dialogue and the action are blended \ into a combination of screen and stage ' technique that makes it a much faster j moving drama than it was on the i stage, or even in a very early silent ! version of the picture. A series of/ staccato episodes, eacli a little masterpiece in concentrated drama. are utilised to keep tli© story moving at breakneck speed. Miss Chatterton, as the ill-fated heroine of the story, rises to superb dramatic heights, especially in the opening plea to the wronged husband to see her child, and in the great courtroom sequence that brings the dramatic climax of the play. Lewis Stone, as the husband, plays the role of the austere lawyer with a fine restraint, and Raymond Hackett reaps triumph as the son and defence attorney. Holmes Herbert, as *Noel,” the friend, Mitchell Lewis as the villainous Canby, Carroll Nye as the young naval officer, and Ullric Haupt. Sidney Toler and Richard Carle as the trio of blackmailers are all adequately cast. Eugenie Besserer is delightful as the j old nurse, “Rose.” She and Miss Chatterton botli perform a rather dilli- I cult trick—that of changing ay«s in \ several sequences by means of make- j ' up and acting—very adroitly. The Regent programme also includes .a. number of short talkie features,