AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20437, 23 December 1940, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE ERROL FLYNN IN “THE SEA HAWK”

l Large audiences were drawn to the | Regent Theatre on Saturday, where I "Tile Sea Hawk," starring Errol Flynn I 1 in a glorious screen adventure of his career, is the feature attraction. In the supporting cast are Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Donald Crisp, I Flora Robson, and Alan Hale. The background of tlie story of "The Sea Gawk" is England in the lusty days ot [Queen Elizabeth. Among England’s heroes of the time are sea fighters, who prey on the Spanish galleons, stripping them of their rich booty and bringing it home to swell England’s dwindling treasury. Most daring and fearless of these privateers is Geoffrey Thorpe, the role portrayed by Flynn The fortunes of England are at a low ebb, however, and King Philip of Spain, aided by Elizabeth's traitorous chancellor, is planning to attack and seize tlie weakened country. To further his plans he sends one of his most able men to England as ambassador. Thorpe attacks the ship which

is bringing the ambassador and his lovely niece Maria (Brenda Marshall) lo England. Maria scorns Thorpe as a pirate and a thief until he returns her jewel casket to her, and also points out that the Spanish ship she was on was propelled by several hundred galley slaves all Englishmen. From that time on Maria and Thorpe i are allies, bound together by mutual understanding as well as romantic inclination. In secret conclave with the Queen, Thorpe outlines a plan whereby he can salvage considerable gold from the Spaniards in Panama. Before Maria can warn him that the Spaniards have learned of his plans, Thorpe set sail for Panama. There he falls into the hands of the Spanish, and is impressed as a galley slave until he can be returned to Spain for trial by the Inquisition. When the slave ship arrives in Cadiz, Thorne steals a knife from one of the guards, frees himself and his men from their chains, and under cover of night they daringly capture the Madrc Di Dios and make a dash for the open sea On the ship Thorpe finds the documents he is looking for which prove that Spain had planned to attack England. Back in London, he has to fight his way through the traitorous chancellor’s guard of henchmen before he can lay his document before

the Queen, but when he gets lo her he is knighted for his service to England. Michael Curtiz has directed “Tlie Pea Hawk" with the emphasis on robust adventure, stirring sea fights, and daring duels, interspersed with tender romantic interludes.