NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1024, 15 July 1930, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“HER PRIVATE AFFAIR” A masterpiece of mental analysis and psychology is ‘'Her Private Affair,” a Rathe all-dialogue drama starring Ann Harding, which is at the New Regent Theatre. Unique in the annals of film history is the menace to tho happiness of the leading characters, in that it is not provided by another man or woman, but through the lash of the heroine's own guilty conseienpe. Suspense, that primary factor in drama, runs to a high pitch in almost every sequence, but particularly in the courtroom scenes, where the husband of the guilty woman, a judge, tries an innocent man for the murder. William Haines has found a worthy successor to the picture, “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” which first brought him into the talkies in “The Girl Said No.” Tho story depicts Haines as a young man who loses his father and faces the world for himself and family-—and the girl who will not love him. A comedy-drama with far more laughs than tears. Tho new Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer alltallang production is the second talkie attraction at the Regent. The supporting cast includes Delia Uyams, Marie Dressier, Polly Moran Francis N. Bushman, jun., Clara Blau-’ dick, William Janney. Junior Coghlan, Phyllis Crane, and William V. Mong. _ NATIONAL TWO BIG TALKIES The comedy-drama, “This Thing Called Love,” is amusing audiences at the National Theatre. This is the story:—• After observing how affairs are going in the home of her sister Clara, who is the wife of Harry Bertrand, Ann Marvin comes to the conclusion that marriages are not “made in heaven.” Robert Collings, a young millionaire who has been digging gold in Peru for 15 years, arrives at Bertrand’s offices to discuss the details of a mine merger. Reading a magazine in the reception room as he enters, is Ann Marvin. When he is told that Bertrand will see him later he leans back contentedly and watches Ann, who is not unconscious of his admiring stares. Later when Bertrand introduces Ann to him, ho voices his admiration. He envies Bertrand for his happy married life, quite unaware that the Bertrands are continually battling. Bertrand invites Codings to dinner at his home. Codings proposes marriage to Ann, who finally compromises by offering to work as his wife at a salary of £5,000 a year. He accepts and it is agreed that each shall have free reign to invite their men and women friends to the house, and that there shall be no interference. They are wedded and their home life is ideal. Yet Codings is sore because Ann does not give him the love he thought was part of their marital bargain. Ann remains indifferent and Codings decides to make her jealous. A second big talkie comedy is shown in “Sailors’ Holiday,” an uproarious tale of the misadventures of two American sailors. PRINCE EDWARD “The Great Gabbo,” listed as one of the 10 best pictures of the past 12 months in America, is to be presented from this evening, at the Prince Edward Theatre. It has a wonderful director and a wonderful story. Erich von Stroheim plays the lead in the title role. It is his first talkie. Betty Conipson is the girl and James Cruze is the director. Other principals in the cast are Donald Douglas and Babe Kane. The supporting programme includes views of the Rugby Test match at Christchurch.