ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 58, 5 September 1940, Page 8

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

"The Man From Dakota."

A typically action-filled comedy performance by Wallace Beery, a sparkling return to the screen by Dolores Del Rio, and a stalwart and convincing characterisation by John Howard combine to provide thrilling entertainment in "The' Man from Dakota," American Civil War story, which opens tomorrow at the St. James Theatre. Picturisatiori of an historic novel by MacKinlay Kan tor, the narrative gives Beery opportunity for all of his familiar and enjoyable antics as a Yankee prisoner of war who escapes the Confederate prison at Belle Isle, and with his young and idealistic superior officer, portrayed by Howard, sets out to find a i haven, preferably far out West, though Howard is determined to find the Union lines. As a Russian girl who also becomes a fugitive and must throw in her lot with Beery and Howard after she kills a Confederate officer, Miss Del Rio has a role which gives emotional possibilities which she more than lives up to. The supporting cast is headed by. a list of noted character actors, among them Donald Meek as a cringing and unscrupulous Vestry, seeking favour with both North and South; Robert Barrat as Parson Summers, who cpriducts the murder trial of the principals; John Wray as the father, of the murdered family; Addison Richards, Frederick Burton, and William Haade. Leslie Fenton can add-another feather to his cap as one of the; \ydungest >and' most future '.oirectqrs- for integrating into a satisfying whole all the varied elements of .the melodrama.