RECENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1939, Page 2

RECENT THEATRE

“THE SHINING HOUR.” Excellent entertainment is provided at the Regent Theatre, where “The Shining Hour” is to be shown again tonight. The return to the screen of Joan Crawford in the role of a talented dancer gives picture patrons further evidence of the great dramatic heights which this popular actress is capable of attaining. In the adaptation of Keith Winter’s great stage success, Miss Crawford heads a cast which includes almost equally well-known stars in Margaret Sullavan, Fay Bainter, Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas. The story is that of a young dancer who, weary of the garish whirl of city life, marries a wealthy young landowner for the sake of peace and security rather than love. Introduced into the difficult and hostile atmosphere of her husband’s aristocratic home, she becomes involved in an affair with David, her husband’s brother, whose self-effacing and devoted wife Judy (Margaret Sullavan) is heartbroken. /Adding to the dancer’s difficulties is the unrelenting bitterness of a spinster sister-in-law, Hannah (Fay Bainter). As Olivia Riley, the dancer, Miss Crawford, gives a wonderful rendering of her part, especially in the scenes during and following the burning of the newly-wed couple’s home, which is deliberately set on fire by the enraged Hannah. The shock of near tragedy brings the participants to their senses, and the story ends on a happy note with the reunion of the two couples and the bitterness of Hannah dissolved in the light of a newlyawakened understanding. SATURDAY’S ATTRACTION. “Gold Is Where You Find It” is announced as the attraction to be shown at the Regent Theatre on Saturday.