FIRST SHOWINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 135, 4 December 1937, Page 7

FIRST SHOWINGS

OUTSTANDING FILMS

ANNABELLA AGAIN ,

"UNDER THE RED ROBE"

Sewnteentfa-century France with its! maze 01 intrigue, us plot ana counter- j piot, all centring around tne poweriul cardinal uicneiitu, lonns tne eoiouriui bacKgrounu oi "unaer tne ned Jttooe,' tne latest picture Slurring, tne lovely I'rencn acuess Annaoeiia. It is now at the ir'iaza xneatre. uiiiering uueny in every respect irom "wings ox tne Morning," tne picture in wiuen .minaoena wus hrst introduced to new z,eaiana theatre-goers, "unaer the ued itooe" can naruiy ue compared vvnn it; the oniy leature common to bom is tne periormance ol the s;ar, which is as enLrancingry ilawless in ncr latest as in ncr previous picture. That tamous continental actor Conrad Veiat taxes tne leaaing maie part as Gil ac iseravut, a lamouS aueaist, whose skili witn tne rapier makes mm known mrougnout tne length and oreaath oi ±'r.ince as tne "BlacK .Oeatn.'' Commissioned oy tne aii-poweriul. jrticneneu to remove an enemy, he succeeds in his task, only subsequently to tall victim to tne Caruinars eaict making puoiic duelling pumsnaoie by hanging. Veidt is actuany mounting the sit-ps to tne galiows when ne receives a last-minute postponement of his sentence, in order mat lie mignt arrest the Uomte de i'oix, who is plotting revolution m the south. Veidt is promised liberty v he succeeds and deatn it" ne tails. Aided by a faithful retainer, he gains admittance to the Count's casue, and mere the inevitable happens; he oecomes infatuated with tne Count' sister, tne Deautitul Lady Marguerite, played by Annabella. Veiat arrests tne count, but on his way to Paris relents, and gives his captive liberty to escape to England. Placing honour aDove ail things, he returns to Richelieu to keep his bargain by forfeiting his own life, but tne Cardinal appreciates his loyalty when sycophants are deserting, and rewards him with his freedom to join the Lady Marguerite. Around this not exactly novel plot is wound a variety of interesting situations that make up a thoroughly satislying picture. as may be expected from tne reputation of the principals, the acting could not be surpassed, and all the minor parts are capably rilled. An especially tine performance is provided by the dueller's servant, whose comical antics infuse just the right touch of humour into the -exciting drama and tender romance. The peaceful countryside of rural France is contrasted with the splendour of Parisian palaces and the rugged strength of ducal castles, complete with secret panels and hidden entrance tunnels. All those who liked the blood-stirring adventures of d'Artagnan and of Cyrano de Bergerac will revel in this picturisation of another equally daring freelance, with the sinister name ot the "Black Death." Accompanying "Under the Kea Robe" are a number of supports which are in keeping with the quality of the principal attraction. Gaumont News present a thought-provoking short on the futility of war, and a variety of bright magazine items, ranging from tortoises to tap-dancing. An Australian newsreel shows the New Zealand cricketers in action against Victoria, including Parsloe's deadly bowling and the fine batting of Kerr and Vivian. A comedy of errors in high-pressure salesmanship completes an excellent programme.'