IN TROUBLED IRELAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 8

IN TROUBLED IRELAND.

LOCALE OF "BELOVED EXEMY." "This in an outstanding picture of intense emotional ami dramatic action, artistically produced, superbly performed," is liow the critic of the New lork "Motion Picture Daily" began his m .1 W «^ f " Belov «> -Knciny." starring Merle Oberon and Brian Aherne. which i* to open to-morrow at the Kegent Theatre, line critic continues: "Again Goldwyn scores with tliat type of film in which lie excels, a story of strong human values, as witness his success with 'These Three ' 'Dodsworth' and 'Conic and (Jet Ft.' 'Beloved Enemy' can hardly fail to be another big success ... a story of sterling action, it should appeal to men . . . a beautiful romance, it should attract all women." Using as its background Ireland's struggle for freedom in the uprising of 1921, "Beloved Enemy" builds up tense situations round the guerrilla warfare of a handful of Irish and the much greater, but ineffective, forces of England. As the secret leader of the Irish Brian Aherne is the vortex of the turmoil. He is a (arefree, daredevil lad, who risks his safety at every turn, but like a fox evades the traps. Merle Oberon. as the daughter of Lord Athleigh (Henry Stephenson) arrives with her father from England to put down the uprising. She and Aherne arc destined t<. meet, fall in love and be parted. Their struggle for ami against each other is intrinsically bound up with Ireland e hght for independence. Aherne is said to give an exceptionally fine portrayal, living the role of Denis Kiordan in every line and gesture. Merle Oberon achieves as usual a sincere and excellent performance. Stephenson, Karen Morley, David Xiven. Jerome Cowan and Ra Hould, the twelve-year-old Dunedin boy who makes a praiseworthy screen debut, are other notable members of the cast.