"STORY OF THREE LOVES"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 759, 5 February 1954, Page 5

"STORY OF THREE LOVES"

Sir,-Unfortunately, like many other Wellington people, I had seen and enjoyed the film Story of Three Loves long before I read "Jno’s" criticism. Critics need a shaking up from time to time. "Jno" appears to have been almost unmoved on seeing this film. American films often make me fidget with exasperation. This film was a credit to M.G.M. It was on the Sunset Boulevard level. It was as good as the best English films in its way. Technically the film had several outstanding features. The Technicolor was really excellent, the sound was clear and beautiful, especially the piano in the first ‘part, which had that fidelity and attack often lost in recorded music. Sound effects were presented perfectly and added to drama which held one’s nerves tense with anticipation. The camera work and dramatic montage were also first-class. The show was divided into three stories, each having about three players -all top-line stars. It was hard to say which was best. The last was perhaps the most dramatic, the first the most beautiful, and the second had the most romantic appeal. Each part could be the subject of a half-hour discussion, — It is not’ a good thing for a critic to give away the gist of the film story merely because he lacks the imagination to write an article on the character of the film. This film was one which would be most appreciated by the "grown-up" section of the audience. There was nothing trite in the dialogue or the sequences, except that which was meant to be so. I am indebted to your film critic for certain details of the cast and for the name of the producer. There is no need for vague padding and irrelevant chatter in writing a film criticism; and it is a good thing if a critic keeps to the point and emphasises the good features with sincerity and direct comment.

ALEXANDER

LEE

(Wellineton).

(Abridged.- Ed. )