New Team Convincing in “His Brother’s Wife”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 5

New Team Convincing in “His Brother’s Wife”

EMOTIONAL THEME GETS REALISTIC TREATMENT (Regent: Screening Saturday.) “His Brother’s Wife” is the title of a daring picture with the attractive co-starring team of Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor. Tne play of human emotions, under tremendous strain has seldom been more powerfully drawn on the screen. Taylor, now the most popular young star in Hollywood, appears in the role of a venturesome scientist about to embark on an expedition into the tropical jungle. On his final fling in New York he encounters a red-headed girl, and falls in love with her instantly. He considers quitting the proposed expedition, but his brother, played by John Eldredge, persuades him to carry on. In her bitter reaction of anger and disappointment, the girl marries the brother at home. This is the situation to which the young explorer returns. Her love for him is just as reckless, and they go back into the jungle together, renouncing the world. There, after her husband was divorced her, the young scientist turns on the girl, and orders her to go back. He has failed in his battle to overcome a dreaded jungle disease by discovering an antitoxin, and has determined to inject the germ into his own veins, in order to study its secrets. But the girl anticipates his plan. She thrusts the deadly hypodermic into her own arm, and becomes a victim of the malady. In his

fight to save her the scientist not only restores their love, but discovers the very secret of the jungle for which he has been searching. Van Dyke, who directed “Trader Horn” and other pictures of jungle exr istence, has employed his rar© knowledge of the atmosphere to make the picture authentic in every detail. He is a veteran explorer himself, and his understanding of the characters has resulted in a remarkable portrayal of the types. The daring theme is presented delicately, yet without once weakening the complicated structure of the story. Miss Stanwyck performs what many critics consider to be the finest role of her career. Jean Hersholt, as the hardened explorer, is superb, and Taylor, without question, again demonstrates bis remarkable talent as an actor. A capable cast gives excellent support.