GRETA GARBO TALKS—"ANNE CHRISTIE" AT GAIETY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 256, 1 December 1930, Page 2

GRETA GARBO TALKS—"ANNE CHRISTIE" AT GAIETY.

Audiences bave waited to hear Ihe voices of evevy screen artist with thc keenest interest, but it is doubtfuJ wlietber tbat interest has been greatei as rcgards any star tbaji it lias beei: in the case of Greta Garbo. In siienf fiinis Miss Garbo has made the world realise ber sterling qualities as .an actress of exceptional ability, witb outstanding peri'ormances in sucli productiolis as "Flesb and tbe Devil," and "The Otber Woman." Noav, in ber first talking role, she reinforces tbat conviction witb a performance iluit shadows all ^ ber previous cbaracterisations. Tbo role com.es to ber in _ tbe title part . of "Anna Cbristie," , Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer's ailtalking screen veision of Eugone O'Neill's fainous drama, wbicb ppened for an extended season as tlie- beadiine attraction of tbe programme presented for the .first time on. Saturday nigbt nt the Gaiety de Luxe Tbeatre. Tbe squalid iVaterfront of Neiv Y'ork ' provicles th'e backgvound for the story, wbicb coneerns ihe regeneration of a young city girl. Miss Garbo has tbe role of a girl wlio, neglected iil ber youth by ber eareless fatheiy becomes exceedingly bardened to tbo bitterness of tbe world long before s.be is matured. Hor fatlier, _ a wastrel old Swedisb barge captain, is informed tbat sbe is return mg from school to live witb hiin, and accordingly sets about to prepar© tbe barge as a borne for ber. Jjis hatred of the sea, wbicb has robbed bim of his wife and bis two sons, makes bim detennined tbat sbe sball never marry a sailor. His decision is upset, bowcver. by tbe appe.irance of a likeable Irisbman. Tbe stoiw unfplds, witb exceptional dramatje force, ihe tiue facts of tbe girl's earjv life, before a bappy ending is reached% Miss Garbo, wfio ' gives an outstanding perfOrni.anee, and wbo will. win countless y.ew ndmirers witb ber unusually pleaslng voice, is supported by a strong cast, the role of tbe fatber being played by George F. Marion. Marie Dregsler, as a waterfront tramp witb 'a ready-made philosophy, acbieves a triumpli. m a subsidiary • role,. and Charles "Bickford bandles tbe parfc of a gruff Irish sailor witb skill. . He will be remejnbered i or bis work • in tlie leading jnale role of "Dynamite," Cecil B. de Mille's "first talking production. Tbere is some remarkable pbotograpby and production work in "Anna Cbristie,5' which was clirected by Clarence Brown. Tlfe 1dm is acc'ojfipanied at the Gaiety j>y excellent featurette(s, among wbicb is "Brats," the Laurel-Hardy combination's latest side-splitting comedy, heralded as oue of tbe best and iunniegt mirth-makers. Otber supports, togetber witb the three' latest Fox, Paramounfe. and JMetro Sound Gazettes", complete a splendidly balanced ■ entertainment.