STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1942, Page 6

STATE THEATRE

“LYDIA.” “Lydia,” with Merle Oberon in the leading role, will be shown tonight. With beautiful Merle Oberon supported by a quartet of suitois, this film story of the loves of a Boston debutante examines the heart of a woman in a manner never before attempted on the screen. In the most modern film technique, the roles that the four men played in the life of Lydia are brought to light. The story is told with dignity, clarity, and with an understanding that places it in the ranks of the year's great films. Miss Oberon in the title role is, as usual, vivacious and charming. But more than that, “Lydia” gives her the opportunity to show her abilities as an actress. She handles the transition from youth to old age with the deftness that denotes real understanding of the character. When the real lover walked out of her life at the height of a love affair the young and careless Lydia died and made way for _ the Lydia whose good works had brightened the lives of the blind. All through the years she had cherished the thought of him, but when he looked at her in bewilderment and asked, “Who is this lady?” her last illusion lay shattered.