MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 923, 17 March 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“HER PRIVATE LIFE* The talking picture which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre, entitled “Her Private Life,” presents Billie Dove in a highly dramatic plot. Its atmosphere of refined, aristocratic life is a relief, especi-

ally in a talking picture, from the “show-girl” type of film, with its “dese, dem and dose’ slanguage. If you didn’t see Billie in “Careers,” her initial talking picture for First National, you’ll be glad to learn that lier voice in the new medum is as

beautiful as her screen presence. It fits her, too. And in “Her Private Life” either the reproduction is even better than before, or she has improved with talkie practice. Walter Pidgeon, her leading man, charms as much by his voice as by his handsome and striking screen personalty. Ideally fitted for the part of a gentlemanly, sporting young American who visits in England and wins the heart of the English girl, then loses her for his sister’s honour, Pidgeon Wins new laurels in the film. Holmes Herbert turns in a masterly talkie performance as usual. Montague Love. Thelma Todd. Mary Forbes, Brandon Ilurst, Zasu Pitts and Roland Young, principals of the supporting cast, are also uniformly excellent. It is a pleasure just to listen, for a change, to English not as “she is usually spoke.” Based on the stage play by Zoe Akins, “Her Private Life” deals with an English girl who, having married a British ne’er-do-well, falls in love with a young American.. There’s an accusation of cheating at cards; jealousy; threatened blackmail; revenge that sends the girl, penniless and friendless, to America. There a rather dramatic climax of events brings Thayer, the American, again into her life, and happiness is evolved. e Two very entertainfiig comedies, “Jed’s Vacation” and “Weak, But Willing,” completed a very enjoyable programme. Incidental music is provided by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra, and there is anothet interesting budget of English views.