PRACTICAL DON JUAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 15

PRACTICAL DON JUAN

“HE KNEW WOMEN”

STRAND’S DOUBLE BILL

When two women fall in love with one man and the man, with most engaging candour, admits that he is marrying one of them merely to ensure living in comfort for the remainder of his life, one may expect interesting developments. In “He Knew Women.” screened at the Strand Theatre last evening, they happen. In this interesting story there are two women and a man. There is also another man—a jealous lover—but. like most jealous lovers, he plays a small part in the story until the traditional happy ending requires his presence. It seemed that women could not help loving Geoffrey Clarke, self-styled thirdrate novelist. One cannot help wondering why, unless it is because they never knew when to take him seriously. One woman. Mrs. Frayne. has money and a convenient habit of leaving a cheque when she calls. She is the favoured one—according to the other woman. Monica Grey, who has youth but not money, “the highest bidder.” Austin Lowe, brilliant scientist, has brains for chemistry, but a dismal ignorance of woman. From the outset his methods are hopelessly wrong. His silent, loyal affection is not appreciated by the young woman infatuted by the blase novelist, who admits in an unguarded moment that he loves her dearly, but not enough to get up in the mornings and work for her. Determined to have him, Monica seizes an opportuity when the four are together to announce that the novelist has compromised her and must marry her. An enraged loved armed with a revolver but, fortunately, a poor shot, nearly ends the picture there and then, but the novelist is allowed to live in order that the young lover might remain free to marry the young woman and live happily ever after. The blase novelist naturally marries the wealthy woman and, if not happy, lives comfortably ever afterward. A delightfully suave person is Lowell Sherman, who plays the part of the novelist, and Alice Joyce is the wealthy widow. Frances Dade, an attractive young blonde, and David Manners complete a good cast. BRIGHT COMEDY A sparkling musical comedy, “Tanned Legs,” is also shown. Bright, and containing several very tuneful numbers, the play revolves round the story of a wealthy family, the members of which spend their holiday at a country club engaged in promiscuous flirting. The father and mother both become entangled, the father with an adventuress who relieves him of a cheque for a substantial amount. It remains for the young daughter to put matters right, a very humorous picture ending with her admonition to her parents to “be their age.” Juno Clyde is the very attractive heroine and Ann Pennington, remem- j bored for her fine work in “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” has a good dancing part. Other prominent members of the east are Albert Gran, who has the prinicpal comedy role, Arthur Lake, Sally Blane. Allen Kearns, Nella Walker, .Albert Burns and Dorothy Revier. In addition to a number of new song hits there is also some excellent dancing by an accomplished ballet. The latest issue of the Universal news reel completes a very entertaining and varied programme.