NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 792, 12 October 1929, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“MADAME X” One of the most famous plays of the stage is the latest in talking picture entertainment. It is the modernised version of “Madame N,” which is continuing its success at the New Regent Theatre as an all-talking drama. The play was adapted by mixing technique of both stage and screen into a vivid and swiftly moving piece of drama, the adaptation being by Willard Mack, famous playwright. Ruth Chatterton, celebrated stage star, Lewis Stone, Raymond Hackett and others of note are in the cast. Lionel Barrymore, erstwhile famous star of the stage and screen, directed. It is his second directorial work, for he made his debut with a short alltalking picture called “Confession.”

This marks the second time “Madame X” has been presented on the screen. Several years ago the old Goldwyn company made it as a silent film with Pauline Frederick in the title role.

Ruth Chatterton is playing herself as she looks today, and as a woman might look at five different periods in the future, in “Madame X.” The famous stage star, tragic heroine, makes up for five different stages of advancing age in the picture. Lewis Stone, Raymond Hackett, Holmes Herbert, Ullric Haupt, John P. Edington, Mitchell Lewis, Sidney Toler, Richard Carle, Chappell Dossett, Claud King and others of note on both stage and screen are in the cast.

The 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 Spitlaney’s Band; another revue by Gus Edwards in natural colours; and, finally, a Pathe Audio Review.