REGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 4

REGENT.

All the romance and glamour land in the Middle Ages is revived a '•The Adventures of Robin Hood," •*}&& is enjoying a succeseful extended Kaaon at the Regent Theatre. Unusual lavish, ness in production lends an impregaive air of reality to the settings and "backgrounds, some of these, especiaPy thoee of the Norman banqueting halls, beinc magnificent. The picture was filmed entirely in Technicolour, thus retaining the splendour and gaiety of the scenes of pageantry and fighting. Enrol Flynn heads the cast in the title role and acts his part with ,-rusto to give a performance that measures right up to his best* J n his physical attributes he is well suited for the part and he wears with ease the mantle first assumed by Douglas Fairbanks in the days of silent films. OHria de Ilavilland is good as Maid Marian while Claud- Rains and Basil Rathbone are outstanding among the supporting players. b CIVIC. Boasting a storm sequence which rivals that in the famous '"Hurricane," a powerlul ca.-t of principals and unusual lavishr.u-:; in yeiierai production, "Suez," a drawing consistently bis crowds in t_xt-. mled season at, the L'ivic Theatre. It iloa.'.s wit!) the tremendous struggle* the forces of nature and of hostile 1j:-.!!>!-. ii.' I! <!ouins experienced by the men who built the vitally important Boez L'an.il, and interest is maintained throughout. Tyrone Power tops all fa previa I fi!cc"--«es with an outstanding portrayal of tliu French engineer, Ferdinand .le I>sseps, who was largely responsible for the completion of the canal. He acts with restraint, but brings out all the forceful qualities of the character. Loretta Young and Annabella are both good ae the two women in his life, -while Joseph Schildkraut is the best of the supporting players. EMBASSY. The underworld of Paris forme the background for "The Rat," showing in Auckland for the first time this evening at the Embassy Theatre. Due to careful, though not over-lavish production, a realistic atmosphere is created and this aids materially in achieving the general effect. Heading the cast are Anton Walbrook, who was outstanding as thePlrince Consort in "Victoria the Great," and Ruth Chatterton, who has built up a good reputation with a series of sound performances over a long period of years in Hollywood. Though in a far different type of role than his previous one. "Wat brook is almost as good in this film as "The Rat." sinister character of the criminal world of Paris, while Miss Chatterton is equally as good as the sophisticated socialite who becomes infatuated with him. The story is built up round hie romance with the daughter of a murderer who is left in his charge. Rene Riy is good as the young girl.