STIRRING HUMAN DRAMA

Evening Star, Issue 23723, 2 November 1940, Page 7

STIRRING HUMAN DRAMA

‘ LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER ' RETURNS

Inspired by the book, ‘ Bengal Lancers,’ a volume of reminiscences by Captain Yeats-Brown, the film, ‘ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,' which opened before packed bouses at the St. James, has a stirring appeal. The picture has added interest to New Zealanders by reason of the fine acting of Colin Tapley, of Dunedin, in the role of Lieutenant Barrett. Although he has a comparatively small part as an ingenious but ill-fated British border spy, he plays his part well. It is a tribute to the versatility of the Paramount studios that they have produced a convincing film dealing with a particular and traditional aspect of British military life. In situations which are essentially melodramatic the fault of over-em-phasis never occurs, and there is no hiatus in a swiftly-moving plot, which carries the audience on a wave of breathless suspense from the beginning to the end. There is a romance in the soldiering of the Northwest Frontier which has been captured byseveral skilled novelists and writers, a romance which is more colourful on the screen, especially when handled with the consummate cleverness revealed in ‘ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,’ It captures the very spirit of the thing, and is a worthy dedication to the handful of British soldiers who police a frontier which is always simmering with unrest-and intrigue. The human theme is the ordeal ot a young “ cub ” recruit to the Lancers who happens to be the colonel’s son. The old man is a stickler for discipline to an extraordinary degree ' scared to death of favouritism, the boy suffers in silence for a while, then runs amok and gets himself captured by a native chieftain engaged in stirring up trouble. . Disobeying orders, two senior officers go after him, and all three are subjected to torture in a scene which comes nearer sheer horror than all the blood-curdling exploits of screen monsters. The youngest gives way under the strain and betrays his regiment. But the Lancers are saved from annihilation in a spectacular attack on « fortress by the heroism of the three captives, quo of whom dies in blowing up an ammunition dump. Incidental humour has been skilfully inserted into the narrative without once appearing out of place or uncalled for. Most of it is handled by Franchot Tone, who surprisingly establishes himself as a first-rate light comedian of the Robert Montgomery school. Competition for the acting honours is strong all the way. Richard Cromwell, ns the colonel’s son, makes the best of a, peculiarly difficult part. Sir Guy Standing, as the martinet colonel, manages to get some humanity into the most cold-blooded disciplinariaD in screen history; and Douglas Dumbrille performs a similar miracle with the rather theatrical chieftain who fills the role of villain. But it is Gary Cooper who ” steals ” the picture with the best acting performance of his entire career. Supporting features include ‘ Learn Polikeness,’ a Paramount pictorial; ‘ Silver Millions.’ deep-sea fishing; and the latest air mail news. EDGAR WALLACE THRILLER BELA LUGOSI STARRED An Edgar Wallace thriller must always be an event. Few, however, have been so full of suspense and drama as ‘ Dark Eyes of London,’ which opened yesterday at the Empire. It is a British production, and its star is the screen’s latest and best exponent of “ horror ” roles, ■ Bela Lugosi, the noted Hungarian actor, who shows masterly performance in this, his first British film. ‘ Dark Eyes of London ’ is a truly sensational offering for genuine screen thrills, unlimited action, and a surprising climax. The theme of the picture concerns the nefarious and particularly sinister. activities of a half-mad doctor who conceives an evil plan to get rich quickly by making use of certain people, then disposing of them in a horrible manner. So ingenious is the doctor’s method of killing that the deaths when eventually discovered by the police are thought to be suicide. Suddenly Scotland Yard is presented with a valuable clue, arid after a series of exciting events the murderer is tracked down. Bela Lugosi plays the leading role, that of the terrible doctor. Others featured are Hugh Williams as a detective inspector of Scotland Yard; Greta Gynt, a daughter of one of the victims of the mad doctor; Wilfred Walter, a grotesque imbecile; and Edmon Ryan, as an American detective. Smaller parts are played by Alexander Field, Julie Suedo, Arthur Owen, Gerald Pring, Bryan Herbert, May Halliatt, and Charles Penrose. Walter Summers directed the film, which was. produced by John Argyle, who obtained the full co-operation during production of the National Institute of the Blind. RADIO ENTERTAINER JACK BENNY THRILLED

• Buck Benny Rides Again,’ the main feature at the Strand, is a highly entertaining musical comedy on somewhat unusual lines. Its action, mostly hilarious, ranges from New York to the “ wild and woolly ” West, and its success, with Jack Benny, Ellen Drew, Rochester, Andy Devine, Phil Harris, and a host of others equally popular with Dunedin audiences, is assured from the opening scenes. Benny plays his real-life role, that of a radio star, but with the difference that he is supposed to hate anything in the nature of outdoor life. Purely to impress the girl of his dreams, Joan Cameron (Ellen Drew), he takes up the challenge of his radio rival, Bred Allen, to “ rough it” in the West, and his adventures as the pseudo-owner of a ranch are funny almost beyond description. It is love which drives Jack to forsake his penthouse for a pommel and Maxwell for a mustang—love for lovely Ellen Drew who draws a line between Western men and all the rest of mankind when it comes to love. Jack goes West to prove himself worthy, and the fun begins. The gay proceedings are enlivened with comedy and dancing by Rochester, song hy Yiriginia Dale and Lillian Cornell, swing by Phil Harris, beauty by the Merriel Abbott Dancers, and more comedy by Andy Devine, and the bear Carmichael, well known in Arctic circles. There is also a clever coyote who makes his motion picture debut in this gripping epic of the West. Mark Sandrioh, responsible for most of Jack Benny’s pictures, directed ‘ Buck Benny Rides Again/ The supporting attraction is Universal's ‘Half a Sinner,’ a fun-packed comedy, with snappy action. Heather Angel, John King, and Constance Collier are the leading players. It is a story of a plain school teacher who, growing weary of her daily routine, decides to “ go gay ’’ with startling results. SOPHISTICATED COMEDY UNUSUAL ROMANCE THEME The intriguing title of * He Married His Wife’ is only the first hint of a quality that shines throughout the sophisticated comedy which opened yesterday at the State. Joel M’Crea and Nancy Kelly are costarred in the film, with Darryl P. Zanuek in charge of production, and their roles are completely different from those which brought them both to screen fame. ' Both won their laurels in highly dramatic roles, and their casting in a rollicking comedy is highly unusual. Other favourite names included in the cast are Roland Young, Mary Boland, -and Cesar Romero. Also featured are Mary Healy, Lyle Talbot, Elisha Cook, jun., and Barnett Parker. The story is a gay, informal tale which opens on a scene between Joel and Nancy, celebrating the first anniversary of their divqrce. Joel, who is liable for a phenomenal amount of alimony, is a bit behind in his latest payment, and N''uey immediately has him sent to gaol. She docs this

not out of a vindictive spirit, however, but because she still loves him and wants to bring Joel to his senses if possible. It was his passion for horses and horse racing that caused the divorce, and it is this same passion that is keeping them apart and delaying his payments. With the help of his lawyer, Roland Young, Joel decides to marry Nancy to someone else so he will be no longer under an obligation, and just the kind of man an ex-husband would pick to marry his wife turns up in the person of Lyle Talbot, an old friend. Talbot’s a rather'colourless fellow, even though he has just returned from two years in Persia, When Mary Boland invites them all for a week-end party at her home Joel senses this will be liis opportunity to foster a romance between Nancy and Talbot. He arranges for moonlight, perfect weather, and appropriate music; but his plans arc thwarted when the handsome ami romantic Cesar Romero turns up to pay dashing attentions to Nancy. The hilarious results of this comedy of errors make for a really enjoyable entertainment, GLORIA JEAN MUSICAL jean hersholt in homely role Gloria Jean, who has been given the reputation of being a successor to Deanna Durbin, has the leading role in ‘ The Underpup,’ which heads the new hill at the Mayfair! This talented juvenile star has an excellent voice, and is welt suited to the musical romance which forms the theme of the picture. Associated with her are Robert Cummings, Nan Grey, C. Aubrey Smith, and Virginia Weidler. Jean Hersholt has a typical role in ‘ Meet Dr Christian,’ which is the supporting attraction. Ho plays a country doctor in a small town, and the plot is an absorbing, iiomclv one of his (rials and tribulations. Dorothy Lovett, Marcia Mae Jones, and Robert Baldwin arc the supporting players.