FILMS OF HIGH QUALITY

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 13

FILMS OF HIGH QUALITY

OCTAGON'S DOBBIE-FEATBBE BIEL That popular actress, EHssa Landi, gives yet another noteworthy performance in tho intriguing romance, ‘ Kocnigsmark,’ the British Empire Films release that opened an excellent doublefeature programme at the Octagon yesterday. Being a Ruritanian story, it is naturally brimful of romance, intrigue, and adventure, and is of a very colourful nature. The mounting and settings are elaborate, and the dressing unusually brilliant, glorious court robes and vivid uniforms adding a touch ot spendour to tho show, which would have been even better had it been filmed in colour. Miss Landi, regal of bearing and beautiful, takes the part of Princess Aurore, who, entering a marriage of convenience with Grand Duke Rudolphe of: Lautenbourg, is quickly widowed when her husband is murdered at tho instigation of his brother, the Grand Duke Frederick, who wishes to rule the duchy. The murder is later discovered, and after the princess has been through numerous thrilling adventures, she decides to lire her life as the wishes a surprising climax bringing to a close an excellent picture. Supporting the star is a French actor, Pierre Fresnay, and important roles are handled by John Lodge, Frank Vosper, Romilly Lunge, and Marcelle Rogez. The picture was produced in France. The Zane Grey novel, ‘ Raiders of the Spanish Peaks,’ appears on the screen as Paramount’s adventure-filled picture, ‘ Tho Arizona Raiders,’ being the other attraction on tho Octagon bill. Larry Crabbo and Marsha Hunt have the leading roles. The story’s whirlwind devoklpments are set in tho old West. Where cattle rustling was a real and ever-present problem, and include two thrilling stampedes, one of maddened cattle and tho other of a herd of highspirited horses. Crabbe appears as an adventurous, hard-riding cowpuncher, who in tho opening scene is about to be hanged for horse theft, although he is innocent. His escape from the hanging posse is the opening of a plot which keeps its pace throughout. Shortly after he has fled the posse Crabbo comes across another party about to hang Raymond Hatton for a list of minor offences. He holds up the crowd, frees Hatton, and tho two ride together into Arizona. There they take jobs on a ranch operated by Miss Hunt, just in time to learn that a band of rustlers is planning to drive her valuable herd of horses across the border. The way in which Crabbo checkmates the scheme, wins Marsha, and at the same time aids young Johnny Downs in an elopment with Miss Hunt’s sister, Jane Rhode, provides the plot that follows. Tho film closes with a double wedding ceremony.