Melvyn Douglas recently joined the very small group of Hollywood actors ever to play more than one role opposite Garbo, when he went into the male lead in "Ninotchka," the film which will come soon to the Roxy Theatre. ' Douglas also appeared p-
Me." posite the star in "As You Desire Only three others have played more than one lead opposite the M-G-M star, Nils Asther was her lover in "Wild Orchids" and "The Single Standard" Conrad Nagel was her lead in "The Kiss" and "Mysterious Lady." The late John Gilbert played in four pictures with her; "Flesh and the Devil" "Love," "A Woman of Affairs" and "Queen Christina."
"Ninotchka" is a sophisticated continental drama presenting Garbo in a type of role she has never essayed before. Ernst Lubitsch is directing, Sidney Franklin producing. The locale is Paris, Moscow and Constantinople. Ina Claire, Felix Bressart, Sig Rumann, Alex Grenach, Gregory Gave, Rolfe Sedan, are among the principal players, Leon's love continue to haunt The one letter she is permitted to receive from him is so censored that she gets nothing out of it but the signature.
Then, on the. strength of their Paris mission, the three Committee members are sent to Constantinople three scoundrels meet her at the Golden Horn They never to return to Rus-"have opened a Russian there, instigator of xeluses to stay with him he threatens to alienate every the Soviet sends out, if he the world with Rus-urents, In the face of this her Government Ninotchka A ces ea to by Lew Ayres, Rozy, to leap to near stardom in a few short months. His performance is real, sincere, and tempered with a sympathetic reserve which makes his teaming with the star one of the most happiest combinations of to date.
Comedy is split three ways between Frank Morgan, as a Broadway producer, Virginia Grey and Rita Johnson, chorus girls who vie for his attentions. An interesting third point to the romantic triangle is provided by Ian Hunter, and Al Sheat, as the old Bavarian cellist who befriends Ayres, gives an excellent character portrayal, Once again cast in the role of a theatrical producer, Frank Morgan finds himself very much at home in the new Jeanette MacDonald musical, "Broadway Serenade." Morgan has headed the supporting cast of such other MacDonald successes as "Naughty Marietta, and "Sweethearts."
This is only one of two outstanding operatic scenes used in the new musical In addition to the arias, the star sings several popular selections. "Appearing with Miss MacDonald in the film, produced by Robert Z. Leonard, are such favourites as Lew Ayres, Ian Hunter, Frank Morgan, Al Shean, Virginia Grey, Rita Johnson, "William Gargan and Franklin Pang-born, Ina Claire, who plays Garbo's love rival in "Ninotchka," set a new high in assorted costume. Her lounging costume in the picture includes a long pink plush fur trimmed coat pink silk Russian blouse, pearl gray slacks, sandals, large costume necklace, surmounted by an elaborate Sidney Guilaroff hair-do.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.