Lionel Barrymore At His Very Best In A Fine Film

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7278, 4 October 1933, Page 5

Lionel Barrymore At His Very Best In A Fine Film

FEATURE AT REGENT THEATRE THIS EVENING IS "SWEEPINGS”

Lionel Barrymore is seen at his best in "Sweepings,” the very human drama commencing a two nights’ season at the Regent this evening. According to the author of "Sweepings,” the best-seller from which the screen play is adapted, romance which lies in the development of any great industry or enterprise far exceeds the more commonly portrayed personal romances of man and woman.

Aptly termed a saga of industry, this film is rated one of the most ambitious of its kind ever undertaken, from both an artistic and production standpoint. The intrigues and adventures of a family who build up a great mercantile business in Chicago form the main theme of the story. Its plot is an unusual one, presenting the angle of the man whoso chief ambitiion in life is centred in his business. Starting to build a business on the ruins left by the great Chicago fire, Daniel Pardway, then in the prime of his life, and recently married, goes on to success with his whole energies centred on the business in the day and his family at night. His wife dies at a comparatively early age, and Daniel lavishes money on the upbringing of his four children, hoping that one or more of them will carry on the name and the business. Spoiled by over-indulgence, the children turn out to be ingrates, and Pardway in his old age has to battle with the problem of a prospering business and a futile family.

Apart altogether from the interest of the human side of both the business and family life, the action presents a number of unusual angles on the problems of life and leads up to a tremendously emotional climax. Capably acted throughout by a fine cast, it throws Lionel Barrymore as Pardway into high relief all the way, and he achieves a triumph of character acting which ranks with anything that George Arliss has done; in fact, he is the whole picture. In a notable cast of supporting players, Alan Dinehcart, Ninctta Sunderland, Gregory Pat off, William Gangan, Gloria Stuart and George Meeker carry out the important parts allotted to them with marked distinction.

Reports from Hollywood state that Mary Piiekford and her husband, Douglas Fairbanks, continue to provide many poor people with such necessities as potatoes, flour, bread, etc. Mary has earned the title of the “Hollywood Angel.”