ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. “ESCAPE” THRILLS LARGE AUDIENCE. Remarkably played by one of tho finest caste ever seen on tho talking screen, and produced in notable fashion, John Galsworthy’s immortal drama, “Escape,” was given its first shoving at tho Regent Thca tre ■ last evening. It is undeniably ono of tho most brilliant and thrilling film productions of the year. “Escapo” has proved a powerful play in irs numerous presentations on the legitimate stage, but tho screen, providing a wider scope and allowing a great range of pierorial treatment, is by far t'm bettor medium for the Galsworthy masternieee. Few liberties were taken in the adaptation of tho play. Tho action has been uuu auuu.onai uiaiogue kept adnnrauiy in tile spirit of the original. “Escape” is ono play which has proved ideal for direct screen treatment. Captain Matt Denant, a World War hero and London clubman, is tho central figure of tho story. Defending a woman against a boorish officer of tho law, Matt strikes the policeman. The officer hits a railing in falling and is killed. Ho is convicted of manslaughter and is sent to Dartmoor prison. With his health rapidly breaking and rebelling against tho prison routino, Matt is successful in a long-planned escape. His flight through tho English countryside and chase by tho police introduce a score of thrilling and dramatic events, winding up in one of the most powerful climaxes ever shown on tho screen.

‘DREYFUS” OPENS ON SATURDAY

Cedric Hardwicke, who plays tho title rolo in British International’s talkie version of tho famous Dreyfus case, has many stage performances to hie credit, among which are tho philosophic toper in “Yellow Sands”; tho polished and astute king in “Tho Aoplo Cart”; the autocratic father in “The Barrets of Wiinpole Street,” and his immortal Cliurdles Ash in “Tho Farmer's Wife,” which will bo the best remembered of all his clover characterisations. Although this is Mr Hardwicke’s first talkie he will bo remembered for hie sysmpathetic interpretation, some years ago, of “Nelson” in the silent picture of that title. As Cn]>tain Dreyfus in this spectacular screen presentation of the famous Dreyfus case, Hardwickc gives an acting performance that is magnificent in its restraint and pathos. He has also achieved, with tho assistance of official press photographs, a startling likeness to tho original Dreyfus. “Dreyfus,” which is regarded as tho greatost historical and human drama ever screened, will bo presented at the Regent Theatre on Saturday next.

ROSY THEATRE. “YOUNG DONOVAN’S KID.” A New York East Side Robin Hood, who killed as lightly as he kissed; a parish priest who packed a Biblo in his left hand and a wallop in his right; a beautiful young girl of gcntlo breeding in love with a notorious gunman; a seven-year-old boy stooped in the wickedness of adult gang life; a narcotic fiend with a mad desire to teach others to use .his pernicious drug. Thcso are only a few of the amazing characters with which Rex Beach’s classic novel, “Big Brother,” is peopled, the Radio pictures’ version of which, titled “Young Donovan’s Kid,” is now at the Kosy Theatre. Interpreting tho rolo of tho gang leader is Richard Dix, who again covers himself with screen glory. Jackie Cooper, scvcn-year-old boy who leaped to stardom overnight in the title rolo of “Skippy,” plays the incorrigible Midge Murray. Flaying tho priest is Frank Sheridan, a grand old Irish trouper of fifty years’ dramatic experience. Marion Shilling,. the beautiful daughter of the noted stage director-pro-ducer, Edward Shilling, with a half dozen loading screen roles to her credit, plays opposite Dix. Cast as “Cokey Joe” is the sterling, vigorous actor, Boris Karloff. Fred Kelsey is the laughable, “square-toe,” Collins. Bob Wilber, Congressional Medal of Honour man, plays the murderous Monk Manilla.