REGENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 7

REGENT

"DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY"

Containing scenes of remarkable beauty and of sound drama, acting of the highest quality, and a story as unusual as it is interesting, "Death Takes a Holiday," now at the Regent is one of the strangest, most novel and most entertaining films that has been shown in Christchurch this year. It is one ot those plays, rare in the cinema, tnougn common enough on the stage, wmcn seeks to translate into serious screen language a purely fantastic and beautiful idea. The title of the picture sums up literally its theme. Death, taking the form of a human being, forsakes his grim work and for three days lives among men seeking to discover the reason for mankind's fear of him, seeking to discover the reason for man s love of life, for his abhorrence ol death. , . . The idea of Death as a being not human and yet not far removed from human is probably as nearly as old as mankind. What is there improbable, then, in the idea of Death adopting human form and the emotions and thoughts of humanity? The shadow 01 Death appears to Duke Lambert in his Italian palace and explains to him his intention. For countless centuries, says Death, he has been loathed and feared by mankind. Now, out of pure caprice, he intends to live as a human being for three days and discover the reason for this loathing. The auke must preserve his secret and no one shall suffer. . Fredric March plays Death m perhaps the finest part he has ever played on the screen. Evelyn Venable as Grazia, and Sir Guy Standing as the duke, are more than competent in their parts and the rest of the cast is satisfactory. Much of the success of the fable, however, rests with the producer, because of the slow, dignified, and extraordinarily beautiful way in which the story is told. There is an emotional subtlety and grace in the film, a tact and diginty in its unfolding, that put it among the great films of the year. . , The supporting programme is excellent, containing an amusing cartoon, a newsreel or two, an entertaining musical and an interestig travelogue of Madeira.

CRYSTAL PALACE TWO ENTERTAINING FILMS Both the pictures at the Crystal Palace this week are considerably above the average, the first because of its clever dialogue and extraordinary discussions, and the second because of the smooth development of its unusual story. Both also are exceedingly well acted. Robert Montgomery has one or the chief parts in "When Ladies Meet" and to many this is enough, and quite rightly, to ensure that the picture will be a success for there can be no doubt trial Robert Montgomery is a good actor and a fascinating young man. He has not been allowed to carry the whole ot the burden but is well supported by Ann Harding, Myrna Loy, Frank Morgan, and Alice Brady. The "Countess of Monte Chnsto shows that high adventure may come to those who act on impulse. Two girls, one acting on impulse and the other so far under the •nfluence 01 cognac as not to care, depart suddenly from a film studio where they are employed as "extras." The car Uey take is not theirs, nor are the eiO'.aes they wear, nor have they any money. Yet they manage to stay for a week in a luxury hotel as the "Countess Oj. Monte Christo" and her maid- -a remarkable feat, involving much scheming and intrigue. Fay Wray, in a difficult part, emerges with distinction. Public favourite, however, will probably be Paul Lukas, seen as Rumowski, a clever crook of international fame. His acting is good and his appearance pleasing. Reginald Owen is seen as another engaging crook, while comedy is provided by Patsy Kelly as Mini.

TIVOLI "LITTLE WOMEN" Louisa Alcott's book "Little Women," of which the season has again been extended, has endeared itself to more than one generation of growing girls. Adolescence past, they look back on it through a golden haze of distance and affection. And a very charming and pretty story it is, perhaps over-senti-mental for these days, but genuinely affecting. Between them, the producer, George Cukor, and his actors, mainly Katharine Hepburn, have caught the mood of the book perfectly and put it upon the screen with a restrained art that makes this one cf the pictures of the year. It is a tale full of moralising and precept: but it is also a brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed film. The acting is all exceedingly graceful and sympathetic. Miss Hepburn, as Jo Match, gives a performance which stamps her as one of the most discerning and sensitive actresses of Ihe day. The other girls also are delightfully portrayed by Joan Bennett, Frances Dee, and Jean Parker. As Beth, the sickly, ailing sister, Miss Parker has a particularly difficult role. Edna May Oliver and Paul Lukas are both cast excellently, the latter as the old Professor Bhaer, who sings Tchaikowsky's "Nur wer die Sehnsuchtkennt" with such impressive earnestness, and who finally marries Jo, the harum-scarum, when she has grown to maturity. Box plans are at the D.I.C.

LIBERTY "ABOVE THE CLOUDS" AND "HIGH FINANCE" The risks and excitement that might fall to the lot of a newsreel photographer who makes his living by "scoops" have provided some fine material for the comedy-drama "Above the Clouds," which began a season with "High Finance," another good comedy-drama, at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday. "Above the Clouds is full of thrills and good comedy, the former including a submarine disaster, the wrecking of a dirigible in an electnc 1 storm, and an aerial "stunt display in which a photographer works on the wing of an aeroplane as it loops- ' the-loop. Robert Armstrong as ' Scoop, the photographer who uses his assistant's work to maintain his own reputation in his profession, provides most of the comedy. Richard Cromwell is impressive as the courageous 1 Dick, and the girl is Dorothy Wilson. "High Finance" is an English com- » edy-drama which has an interest at once for New Zealanders in that it has among its cast the young New Zealand actor, John Batten. It is a drama of the lives of men who make ; a living by gambling with finance. ■ Gibb McLaughlin is the financier, who ! in the words of his niece is "cold and i hard—like iron," and who looks upon

"love as one thing and business as everything"—a man who never made a mistake until he made one serious cne which put him into prison. "High Finance" has a good deal more comedy than drama. It is a delightfully funny picture. The programme includes a Universal news reel.