ANNA CHRISTIE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1037, 30 July 1930, Page 15

ANNA CHRISTIE

COMING TO THE REGENT A more mature Joan Crawford is seen at the New Regent Theatre In •Montana Moon,” Metro-Gold wynMayer’s musical Western romance. As an Eastern society girl who marries a cowpuncher employed on her father’s Montana ranch, and then discovers that h% does not mix with her own circle, Miss Crawford gives a performance which is superior to anything she has ever offered the screen in the way of a sincere and moving portrayal. Others who do splendid work include John Mack Brown, who plays opposite the star, Ricardo Cortez, as the "heavy,” Dorothy Sebastian, Kart Dane, Benny Rubin, Cliff Edwards and Lloyd Ingraham. Several most enjoyable talkie featurettes are also being shown. Metro-Gold wyn- Mayer’s screen adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s widelyknown drama, “Anna Christie,’’ starring Greta Garbo in her first talking role, will open on Friday at the New Regent Theatre. The picture is said to be the most distinguished of Clarence Brown’s directorial efforts. The production has been partially looked forward to because of general curiosity concerning Miss Garbo’s voice and her reputed Swedish accent. It is said that Miss Garbo began work on the picture without a preliminary voice test, but having once started, broke all existing records for length of dialogue sequences. From all reports her voice is perfectly suited to microphone requirements. Greta Garbo’s performance as Anna Is declared to be the finest thing she has ever done, the tragic sincerity of the role being of the type to which the distinguished actress is particularly well suited. The supporting cast contains Charles Bickford, George F. Marion. Marie Dressier in her first straight role. James T. Mack and Lee Phelps.

The management of the Regent Theatre confidently expects attendance records to be broken during the season of “Anna Christie,” therefore local patrons are asked fo book their seats or attend the theatre early every session.