ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 53, 31 January 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE.” The greatest adventure known to man is thrillingly , reconstructed on the screen in Darryl I<\ Zanuek’s production of “Stanley and Livingstone,” which screens to-night at the State Theatre, Spencer Tracy turning in another masteriul performance, co-starred with Nancy Kelly and Richard Greene at the head of one of the greatest acting casts ever assembled. When Tracy, in the role of Henry M. Stanley, the crack young reporter oil ‘ho New York Herald, spoke those famous words. “Dr Livingstone, I presume?” in the heart of Africa, drama’s most thrilling’ moment was stirringly ro-cnacted in this spectacular 20th Century-Fox film. The film shows Stanley first as he was in 1869, a reporter of bulldog tenacity who willingly risked his neck to, gel his story. It follows him through all the thrills and dangers of his great adventure, and shows with great dramatic force the influence on his character and his whole life of his meeting and subsequent friendship with tho great missionary-explorer, who had buried himself in the black heart of unknown Africa to serve humanity. For when Livingstone died, Stanley picked up the torch and became one of the greatest men of his day. The chief romantic interest of the story is carried by Nancy Kelly, as the lovely daughter of tho English consular agent at Zanzibar, and Richard Grccnc, as the son of Lord Tyco, who had just returned, fever racked, from a similar but unsuccessful expedition. Walter Brennan is grand as the old Indian scout who accompanies Stanley; Charles Coburn is splendid as Lord lyce, the pompous publisher of the London Globe; Sir Cedric Hnrdwicke offers a truly great portrayal of Dr Livingstone; Henry Hull brings James Gordon Bennett back to vivid life; and Henry Travers is superb as the English consular agent whom Africa has aged before his time. Three years in the making, much of the film was shot in the actual locale in Africa. METEOR THEATRE. “DAMAGED GOODS.” One of tho most amazing real life dramas ever filmed—iis entertainment qualities all tho most gripping by virtue ol the fact that such a story is actually happening every day—“ Damaged Goods” lias a message lor every mother, every father, every ton and daughter of the nation. Based on tile famous French play of die same name by Eugene Brieux and adapted for the modern screen by Upton Sinclair, ‘Damaged Goods” dares to throw the searchlight of truth on to to-duy’s greatest menace to health and happiness. At the same time it cannot be stressed 100 strongly nor 100 often that here is no mere health lecture, but a stirring drama, of this modern age —the story of fi\e people whose whole future was threatened by a youthful indiscretion on the part of one, on the eve of his marriage to a second of the group. Some may contend that the picture is somewhat daring, but let us remember that if is based on actual fact, and that the truth sometimes hurts. But the subject of venereal disease, the “red scourge” which is yearly claiming five times as many lives as a'utomobile accidents, has too long been hidden in the phantom family cupboard of “things unmentionable.” Science and statistics havo proven that ignorance and innocence are the greatest allies of this dreadful disease. Life drama that dares to tell tho truth —your son, your daughter may lie forbidden to marry —“Damaged Goods” tells you why.