ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 123, 23 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.” A romance, between a gypsy girl and a mendicant poet, the unholy plotting of a powerful nobleman and the courage and self-sacrifice of a deformed outcast comprise tho principal themes of “The Hunchhack of Notre Dame.” the current impressive version of Victor Hugo’s classic. M’itli Charles Laughton scoring the characterisation triumph of his career an the pitiable and admirable Quasimodo, the cathedral hell-ringer, the film also presents his new protege, Maureen O’Hara, as the gypsy danccr-heroino of this memorable olfcring. l,aid in the Paris of 1482. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” takes place in and around the famous Notre Dame cathedral, Saintc Chapellc and oilier landmarks which are reproduced in enormous settings peopled with a record cast of 3500 players. When the gypsy is sentenced to the gallows for a crime oi which the King’s High Justice is guilty, Quasimodo saves her from the executioner at 'the cost of his own life, but not before lie causes the nobleman's confession and restores the dancer lo her poet-lover. The stroming of tiie cathedral by a mol) which is singularly opposed by Quasimodo and tho bell-ringer's swift-moving efforts on tiie girl’s behalf form the gripping climax of ttie spectacle drama. Sir Cedric Ilardwieke, Thomas Mitchell, Edmond O’Brien, Alan Marshal, M’alier Hamblen and Katharine Alexander form a staunch support for Laugh lon in this RKO Radio picture directed by M'illiam Dietcrlc. REGENT THEATRE “RULERS OP THE SEA.” Frank Lloyd, renowned producer-director of many screen masterpieces, offers a now motion picture—one which is. being hailed universally as his greatest. Entitled “Rulers of tiie Sea,” it stars Douglas Fairbanks, Junr.. Margaret Lockwood, M’ill Fyffe, tho great Scottish character actor, and feature ssuclt favourites as George Bancroft and Montagu I.ove. Gloriously ami magnificently, in tiie inimitable manner of Frank Lloyd, it relates tiie story of the firstlriumphs of steam over. sail. It tells of the dream of a Scottish inventor, who believes that he has perfected a steam engine capable of driving a ship across the Atlantic. And it shows two young people, two youngsters desperately in love his daughter and a young first mate disgusted with the brutal treatment of crew on sailing ships—helping to bring that dream to triumphant realisation. Fairbanks is east as the sailing man. Margaret Lockwood. as tiie inventor’s daughter, and the great M’lll Fyfl'e is seen as the inventor in this outstanding Paramount production. METEOR THEATRE. “GOLDEN BOY.” Unquestionably unique in treatment and in theme. Columbia's "Golden Boy” which (screens to-night at the Meteor Theatre to prove that ] folly wood, when it wants to. can turn out definitely superior entertainment. The new film, directed by Reuben Mamoulian and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou and M’illiam Holden, is based upon Clifford Odct's romantic drama. “Golden Boy” tells of a young violinist, impatient and tired of working toward tiie day when he will be a success on the concert stage, who rapidly lights his way to the top in tiie prize-ring. In his swift climb to pugilistic stardom, lie ruthlessly tramples upon tiie hopes of his musicloving father, ignores the cryings-out of his own conscience, lie becomes brutalised by bis new* environment, until his love for a disillusioned young woman—the only person who really understands the tremendous conflict raging within him —causes him to give up tiie ring and return to the forgiveness of in’s family. Of the utmost importance in any ■ consideration of “Golden Bo.v” is the performance turned in by new comer M’illiam Holden, making his motion picture debut in the all-important title role This handsome youth is so convincing in his “Golden Boy” characterisation that I we risk little in prophesying stardom and tremendous popularity for him. . Flawless performances bv Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou add charm and a certain exuberance to the picture. Miss Stanwyck is so ideally cast that one forgets her identity and remembers only Lorna Moon, tiie girl who linds romance for the first time when “Golden Boy” tells her his dreams. Mr Menjou is superb as the cynical, harassed fight manager. Other splendid performers' ill important roles include Joseph Galicia, Lee J. Cobb, Edward Brophy and Sam Levene.