PLAZA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 229, 22 June 1940, Page 7

PLAZA THEATRE

Since the fashion set in of making films from books, the advertising copywriters have tilled many columns in eulogy of authors whose names are part of the language but whose works often are little known to vast numbers of Hie cinema audience. "The name's the t.hing"especially when the name is Shakespeare, or Dickens, or Swift. Yet the curious thing about the rollicking " Swiss Family Robinson,” now screening at the Plaza Theatre, is that its mine and its story are known to almost everyone, though its author, David Wyss, is quite unknown. The story is good enough to stand on its own feet, and lite film follows suit. Naturally, there are variations, but the essentials are the same, some of them made pointed and topical because, after more than a hundred years, events in Europe are again driving men to think of new ways out of the dilemma of European civilization. "Swiss Family .Robinson,” however, though inspired by the unsettled state of Europe in the first half of last century, itas nothing to do with war. It is a romance of escape to a remote island, where the family figures tackle afresh the problems of existence, ami of living together. Thomas Mitchell, who was so remarkably good in "Stage Coach." is the father. William Robinson: Edna Best is the mother; Tim Holt is Fritz; Jack —the elegant young fop—is played very well by Freddie Bartholomew; Terry Kilburn plays Ernest; and Baby Bobby Quillau capably acts the part of Francis. When their ship is east away. the family, sole survivors of the wreck, land on the island with difficulty. A little later, just before the wreck breaks up, they have all the excitement and fun—more than a little tinged with real danger—of removing such things as will be valuable lor an island existence. Ami it Js very interesting to see the selection being made, when the whole scale of normal civilized standards has been knocked topsy-turvy. "Swiss Family Robinson" is good rousing entertainment, with touches of family humour and pathos that will be appreciated by everyone. The marvellous house in a tree is. indeed, so marvellous that a good many small boys might be tempted into experimenting in the back yard.