ON THE SCREEN

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1789, 7 December 1936, Page 5

ON THE SCREEN

MATAMATA REGENT “ Uncle Scrim’s ” “ On the Friendly Road,” acclaimed by press and pubiic as the first really-worth-while New Zealand talkie, will have its final screening to-night (Monday). On the same programme is the Melbourne Cup race of 1936 from start to finish.

A vivid chapter of historic drama, depicting the colourful and tempestuous career of Mary Stuart, is brought to the screen with lavish pungent realism this Tuesday and Wednesday in “ Mary of Scotland,” co-starring Katharine Hepburn and Fredric March. The hectic life of this naive young girl, Mary Stuart, who suddenly finds herself transplanted from the luxurious warmth of the French court into turbulent Scotland, its warring factions, its ugly poverty, its religious strife, its unscrupulous intrigue, has lent itself admirably to spectacular reproduction on the screen. Miss Hepburn finds her greatest role in the delineation of the glamourous Scottish Queen’s character. She is appealingly simple as the girl Queen romping with her playmates the four Marys. Fredric March is masterful as the Earl of Bothwell,' presenting the most convincing performance of his successful career.