AMUSEMENTS
REGENT THEATRE BETTE DAVIS IN “DARK VICTORY” “Dark Victory," me Warner Bros, picture, which opens at the Regent Theatre to-day presents Bette Davis as the ill-starred heroine of one of the tenderest, one of the most poignantly beautiful romances ever unfolded upon the screen. It is the story of a great love and dauntless courage, both pitted against an implacable fate, and it offers the brilliant Miss Davis what' she herself considers the greatest rolei of her impressive career. While the character portrayed by Miss Davis: might still dominate the narrative: even if played by a lesser actress than the matchless Bette —so compelling is_ the role—the production is by no : means a one-woman tour de force. It has a supporting cast that is fullyi worthy of its gifted star, and the brilliance* of her performance serves to inspire them all to a Superlative pitch. Playing opposite the star is George Brent, and in uniting with her to bring this moving romance to the screen he has a sympathetic role. Another lover of Miss Davis’, albeit a frustrated one is played by Humphrey Bogart, and his portrayal of an uncouth but honest genuine Irish horse-trainer, different; from anything he has done previously on the screen, is fraught with interest, for it proves that he is not only an. ace bad man. but a superb actor. Perhaps the most interesting personality, in the cast, aside from the star, is an; Irish girl named Geraldine Fitzgerald,: who has the second most important; feminine role even though this is her; first American picture. Trained on the stage in Dublin and with some ex-, perience in English pictures, she was signed by Warner Bros, after a New York stage debut last year and is re-; garded as destined for certain stardom. Other members of the cast include Ronald Reagan, Henry Travers, Cora Witherspoon, Dorothy. Peterson, Virginia Brissac, Charles Richman and Herbert Rawlinson. The; production was directed by Edmund Goulding, director of many “hits.”' Miss Davis is presented as the gay and carefree young leader of a rich: “horsey” set of society folk. There is nothing of the spoiled and petulant young heiress about her. She is a very modern young thing but a thoroughly likeable one withal. Then love and destiny enter her life and bring about a complete metamorphosis in her character. The unusual drama is essentially the story of her thoroughbred courage in facing a love that is greater than life itself. Only an actress of Miss Davis’ calibre would dare undertake a role which required such subtle shading of mood and character as is necessary to show the growth of an immature pleasure-seek-ing girl into a woman who has tasted all life can qffer and has triumphed above all fear. Appearing to-night at the piano at the Regent Theatre is Frank Andrews, whqse name is a household Word throughout Australia. His comedy act at the piano is indeed a revelation and must 'be seen by all to be readily appreciated. The Australian press have acclaimed him as one of the finest of entertainers. His playing is considered nothing short of marvellous for he knows not a single note of music, and his clever comedy act, plus his spontaneous wit represents" a treat for Gisborne theatregoers.
"Always in Trouble,” starring Jane Withers, and the final of the cycle competition will be the principal features of the lOfiO a.m. session tomorrow.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 5
Word Count
569AMUSEMENTS Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 5
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