Bette Davis Again

Freshness of scene and dialogue atones for a rather slight theme. "The Great Lie" is a picture to be seen only once—a second attendance would expose the pathetic obviousness of plot and characterisation, with the single exception of Bette Davis, who gives a convincing and thorough interpretation of that most unusual film constituent—a really human being. The others are usual types, at times well-acted, though both George Brent and Mary Astor barely escape contrast with Bette Davis polished performance. She escapes both the heavy tragedy of her former parts, and the awkwardness of "The Bride Came C.O.D." It is absorbing and very good entertainment.

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Leslie Howard, one of the regretably few English actors and producers who have given the public consistently first-class work in "Pygmalion," "49th Parallel" and "Pimpernel Smith," was on a plane travelling from Lisbon to London which is believed destroyed by enemy action. This is a great loss to his wide public.

"What frenzy hath of late possessed the brain,
Though few can write yet fewer can refrain.

—Samuel Garth Claremont.