I’LAZA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 7

I’LAZA THEATRE

Twentieth Century-Fox prepared the way for a great job of work when they commissioned Darryl F. Zanuek to produce “Stanley -and Livingstone,” now screening at the Plaza Theatre. It is evident that a tremendous amount of rescarcii and planning must have gone toward this film, for there are none of the inaccuracies in characterization or sequence of events which so often mars what is generally supposed to be a veracious historical document.

'l’lie story begins when the young ai.d successful American journalist Henry M. Stanley is scut by his chief to investigate tile disappearance and supposed death of the qiissiouury Dr. David Livingstone. A rival newspaper has announced that Livingstone is dead, so, partly to prove them wrong and partly from a genuine belief that Livingstone is yet alive. Stanley goes about his task. The record of his unforgettable and heroic trek “through darkest Africa” is movingly and convincingly revealed. The safari scenes are superbly done in sepia as a direct contrast to the beginning and tlie end, which are processed in ordinary tones. These African scenes were supervised by Mrs. .Martin Johnson, world-famous explorer, and certain scenes stand out in retrospect as clearly although viewed for the first time. There is the scene in the jungle during the storm, with the lightning playing on the terrified bearers and changing their dark skins to bronze; there is tiie glimpse of the long line of hearers across a placid river, and all a't once the river’s quiet being broken by a solid line of hippopotamuses; there is the slave caravan; there is the fight with the hostile natives when they crowd over a nearby bill like eo many ants —and many others. When Stanley, victorious in spite of fever, battle ami danger, finally finds Livingstone, the restrained acting of Sir Cedric Hardwicke ns the missionary and Silencer Tracy as Henry is admirable. Such well-known. almost hackneyed words as "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” takes ou a new meaning and a new significance. Stanley tries to persuade Livingstone to go back to civilization, but-Liv-ingstone refuses, saying that his work is not yet finished. The two men spend much time together, and in the end Stanley is fired with Livingstone’s own enthusiasm for the land and its people. Livingstone.gives Stanley some maps and letters and begs him to continue the work.

In London Stanley’s story is not accepted by tlie Royal Geographical Society, who contend that it is a fabrication composed by Stanley to .belittle the rival newsmen. Stanley is about to leave tlie chamber when news comes that Livingstone's body has been brought to the coast by some devoted natives, and that among his papers lire letters referring to Stanley. Here is proof of Stanley's words, -anil he is applauded instead of ridiculed.

The picture ends with Stanley returning to carry on. the work of exploring Africa. “Stanley and Livingstone” is an outstanding film on more than- one count; and here are some of the reasons for its success —the acting of the two principals, with a special mention for Sir Cedric Hardwicke; the magnificent safari scene; and the general simplicity and sincerity of the production as a whole. Laurence Olivier, who has wanted to take up the now-dismembered craft, is given his chance when the supercharger is fitted to another plane for testing. All is going well, performance reports are being made by wireless, when, without warning, the motors "cut-out” and a puff: of smoke rises) from the wireless gear: Going into a glide, Olivier warns his crew to prepare to jump ... a s’hip is sighted. Brought down gently beside the ship, the plane, with Olivier and crew still inside, is hoisted inboard. What a reception awaits them —the muzzles of guns. Olivier is knocked on the. back of. the head while defying commands and is carried below with the others. There they meet the men from the first Barrett and Ward plane, and. on Olivier regaining consciousness, the 12 of them batter their way out or their.locked cabin and engage the ships crew' In this battle royal rhythmic machine-gun fire, sporadic rifle shots and the resuitant dead or wounded men falling over the decks are intermingled with an abandon that is delightful to hear and to watch. Aid for Olivier and his comes in the form of a destroyer, demanded by Richardson, whoso clues have ■been so well founded—not that, anyone else thought so —and everything in the garden rejoices under the sun previously obscured' by clouds ;■ everything, that is except the thwarted weeds.