“SARAH AND SON”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1003, 20 June 1930, Page 17

“SARAH AND SON”

RUTH CHATTERTON IS STAR IN MAJESTIC CHANGE WOMAN PRODUCER’S WORK In "Sarah and Son,” which opened its Auckland season at the Majestic Theatre last evening, the picturegoer is favoured with the skilful work of America’s only woman producer, Miss Dorothy Arzner. Assisted by a clever actress in Ruth Chaterton, the leading lady, and the author, Timothy Shea, she has succeeded in the production of a talkie, which can only be marked as first class. A ND the story has its thrills and intrigues, in which are intermingled all the sorrow of a mother in search of her long lost son. So cleverly has the entire production been put together that it runs on the border of a masterpiece in talkies. It is emotional but is not dulled by extremes. The story is of a German emigrant girl, who marries a variety artist in New York, only to find that he is the last thing in laziness and has a pronounced dislike for work. They do a turn together on the stage, and thus they keep going, but she has a child, and without her the turn falls down. They are short of money, and she attempts to care for her baby in the face of sheer poverty. He refuses to look for work, which results in a squabble between them. Quietly, he leaves her and takes the baby with him. Years pass, and in despair the mother makes frantic efforts to find her baby. She becomes a great opera singer and hears that her baby has been adopted by a family in New York. Once more she makes frenzied efforts to find her child, and then follows some of the intrigues of the story and some ~ —„ nant moments of the picture. Throughout, Ruth Chatterton acts with that charm which in much le«s than a year led her to a prominent position among the stars of the talkie screen. Her first all-talkie screen appearance was in “The Doctor’s Secret.” Then followed in quick succession, “The Dummy,” “Charming Singers,” “The Laughing Lady,” and now, perhaps one of the finest, “Sarah and Son.” Frederic- March supports her in the leading male role, while Phillipe de Lacy, a little war orphan, takes the part of the son. and his effort can only gain him still greater popularity on the screen. Others in the cast are Gilbert Emery (who will be remembered for his portrayal in “Behind that Curtain”), Doris Lloyd and William Stack. Then there is more than mere clever acting and talking for Ruth Chatterton provides several song numbers which make a pleasing break to a line picture. “Sarah and Son” is supported by a strong programme in “Dresden China.” a pleasing song and dance fantasy, and a cartoon. Helen Kane’s sister, Gertrude, makes her initial screen appearance in “Dangerous Nan McG-rew,” a newly completed Paramount talkie farce. However, she appears incognito, being on*=* of the dancers at a masked ball which occurs at the climax of the picture.