"A TALE OF TWO CITIES."

Evening Post, Issue 98, 27 April 1936, Page 4

"A TALE OF TWO CITIES."

Dickens Superbly Filmed.

Those who fear.the.changes inevitable in the transformation of a novel into a screen playshould see'A Tale of Two Cities," the Metro-Goldwyn-Maye^ version of. Charles Dickens s famous story which, with Ronald Colman in the leading role,; was. privately screened before a limited audience last night, and was received with enthusiasm "A Tale of Two Cities," while, perhaps, not the very best .of Dickens offers unrivalled opportunities to the film, for its essentials are al} played in the broadest dramatic sense, and the i swift and changing background _ol England- and revolutionary, France make colour in. portrayal the essential thing. And iri this new presentation, of the story ■'■■■MetwGoldwyn-Mayer have made a film which.is sound, entertainment and which is as full ot tthrills, intrigue, incident, and spec-; tacle as any of the most boosted spectacles of the screen. From France, where he feels he cannot, live any longer, the young aristocrat Charles Darnay, under the influence of the new humanistic philosophy, goes;--to, .England where he earns, his living by his own efforts. He falls in love with and marries the daughter of a victim of his own family, is saved from the plottings of his unscrupulous uncle by Sydney Carton, the embittered aid to a leading lawyer, and then, when the revolution breaks out, is recalled to France to aid his old tutor who has fallen into the hands of the mob. But, though Darnay does not know it, the call for aid from, his old tutor is a trap, and he seems likely to be, a victim of the reign of blood. It is at this stage that Sydney Carton comes to his aid once more and by a daring plan enables him to escape. -Cast as Sydney Carton, Ronald, COlnian, older and more restrained. than: he used to be, plays a quietly,effective role, making, a' convincing pbrtrait.?of the man who, after; a lifetime in which he has won neither love nor-respect reveals himself in* a heroic sacrifice. And in this role he is supported by, a big cast of wide reputation including Elizabeth Allan, Edna May Oliver (giving another of her unforgettable portraits), Basil Rathbone, a superb villain; Henry B. Walthall, an old favourite of the silent days in a striking role; Walter Catlett as a spy; and such other outstanding .players as Donald Woods, Blanche Yurka. and Isabel Jewell. "A Tale of Two Cities" will be presented in Wellington shortly.