"HIS GLORIOUS NIGHT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 17

"HIS GLORIOUS NIGHT”

ROMANCE AND INTRIGUE IN VIENNA JOHN GILBERT IN ROXY’S TALKIE Daringly sophisticated, John Gilbert’s latest talking triumph, "His Glorious flight,.’ a film version of a famous stag© play, "Olympia," comes to the screen as the most delightful all-talking bit of romantic comedy, seen or heard in many a season. Gilbert, suavely reminiscent of "The Merry Widow," magnificently handles | his rote from the very first scene and I opening sentence in the crisp dialogue ,to the last, and completely dispels I whatever fears his fans may have held for liis future in the talkies. The picture, which opened last ; night at the Roxy Theatre, shows a j rare discernment on the part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in providing so scintillating a verdict lor Gilbert and in adapting it. Perhaps the outstanding charm and fascination of the picture is in the swift tempo that; brings out the sparkling dialog Lie like a mountain stream racing over the rocks. The motivation is distinctly spicy and is calculated to appeal to a large section. Catherine Dale Owen, lovely stage star, makes her talkie screen debut opposite Gilbert as the beautiful young

widowed princess of “many affairs." That she falls in lo\ e with the dashing young off cer Is, of course, indiscreet. When she spurns hira as a peasant of low birth, however, she invites herself tc» partake of a bitter i situation which | gives him an i upper hand, espe-

. dally when they meet on a moonlit ; balcony. ! Nance O’Xeil plays the part of Miss { Owen’s mother in the picture and Gusi tav von Seyffertitz is seen as the blun- ! dering police commissioner, who atj tempts to extricate them from their ‘ diificulties with the daring Captain j "Kovafs.” Hedda Hopper plays the part of a society matron and Doris llill is cast as her daughter. Gilbert, sufficiently romantic in his Continental uniforms, plays his role with a lightness that is distinctly appealing, adroitly avoiding any suggestion of philandering and clothing his portrayal with whimsical grace that stamps it with complete acceptance. He has negotiated a most difficult dialogue task in this part and has done so with exceptional grace. The Roxy’s new programme also included several new and enjoyable short talkie features.