NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 905, 24 February 1930, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“MARIANNE” Marion Davies marches right into fresh triumphs in “Marianne,” her new starring vehicle, which is now at the Regent Theatre. Incidentally, it is Miss Davies’s first all-talking picture. With her usual vivaciousness and gay drollery, the comedienne enacts one of the most difficult roles of her career, and emerges with new honours for an incomparable performance. And her voice is very pleasing. As the courageoLis French pea,sant girl, who mothers a brood of war orphans as well as the regiment of Allied soldiers who billet in the barnyard, the dainty star brings a sparkling characterisation that at once charms and captivates. She is right at home in the hilarious comedy moments, which afford her an opportunity for another screaming male impersonation when she dons a French officer’s uniform to save her sweetheart from gaol. “Marianne” is an ideal vehicle for Miss Davies, and it is apparent that she gave her characterisation the benefit of studied skill and thoughtful deliberation. Indeed, it is by far the most exacting part she has yet essayed, moving with a breath-taking swiftness from the heights of comedy to a sudden tragic climax. “Marianne,” it develops, believes her French lover dead in the war, and is willing to accept her Allied soldier sweetheart when he urges her to return home with him. Just as she is about to admit her love fo,r him. her French lover, blinded in the conflict, returns. Remorseful and moved deeply by pi.ty, she resolves to send her American sweetheart away, giving her life to caring for the blind man. He, how- • ever, senses her real love for the other man. and, realising what a burden he woKLd be to her, finally sends her back to the arms of her new sweetheart. Several songs have been composed for the picture, and these, together with many musical interludes, smart > dialogue, and the soldiers’ jokes, keep * the audience in a constant state of laughter and appreciation. A full programme of talkie supporting items is also shown.