BRITAIN’S MOST ELABORATE FILM

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 7

BRITAIN’S MOST ELABORATE FILM

‘ ROME EXPRESS ’ FOR ST. JAMES ‘The Rome Express,’ said to be the most elaborate production yet turned out bv Britain, and noteworthy for the fact that it is the first picture undertaken in the new Gaumont studios, will be released at the St. dames Theatre on Friday. Some interesting passengers leave Paris on the Rome express. There is Asia (Esther Ralston), American film star, who is tired of the artificiality of her life; Zurta (Conrad Veidt), master crook, and his accomplice Tony (Hugh Williams) are on the train because of the correct information that Poole (Donald Calthrop), a double-crosser, is travelling to Rome. Then there is M'Bane (Cedric Hardwicke), a Scotch millionaire art collector, travelling with his meek secretary, Mills (Eliot Makeham). The celebrated detective, Jolif (Frank Vosper), is also on the express, pleasure bound. Grant (Harold Huth), a selfish English business man. has persuaded Mrs Maxtor (Joan Barry), his partner's romance-starved wile, to come away to Rome. Unfortunately for Grant, a talkative suburban neighbour, Bishop (Gordon Marker), is on the train; so Grant and Mrs Maxted have to pose as strangers. Mrs Maxted agrees to come to Grant’s compartment at 1 o’clock. In the past Tony and Asta were sweethearts. Now they meet again. Tony promises to run straight lor her sake. In the night Tony and Znrta find their quarry, Poole, who has stolen a valuable Van Dyck, through a game of poker with Bishop. Poole is frightened out of his wits at the encounter. Poole, left alone with Grant, refuses to leave the carriage. He stuns Grant in vain—for Znrta has been waiting outside the door. Zurta soon despatches the traitor. Then Znrta arranges things to make Grant seem the murderer. Mrs Maxted keeps her rendezvous, her dress gets caught in the door, and the conductor discovers the murder.