Amusements

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1937, Page 9

Amusements

Splendid Historical Film

Fittingly enough, the Regent Theatre leads off its Coronation week attractions with a film depicting one of the- greatest eras of British history. "Lloyds of London” cannot help but , stir the blood of a patriot, and its depiction of the stirring times between 1870 and the Battle of Trafalgar makes a colourful page of history on the screen. When Freddy Bartholomew, as young Jonathan Blake, and Douglas Scott, as the youthful Horatio Nelson, discover a plan to scuttle a ship and collect the insurance from Lloyds, the boyhood friends determine to warn “Mr Lloyd” of the plot. At the last moment, Nelson is taken off to start his sea career, and Jonathan tramps alone to Lloyd’s Coffee House, Londoji. The young lad’s j courage so impresses Sir Guy Stand- ) ing, the head of the syndicate, that he rewards Jonathan by taking him into the business. During the years that follow, Jonathan often hears the great bell of Lloydst toll its message to the ears of listening Britons—twice for good news and once for disaster* Thus rings Out the news, of j the French Revolution, of the heroic struggle between England and France for supremacy of the seas and of the swift rise of Napoleon.

In the midst of ‘world turmoil and personal torment, Jonathan, now famous at Lloyds, struggles* to maintain equilibrium and fight * his way •through to happiness for himself, honour and glory for his firm and supremacy for England. To protect Admiral Nelson and keep the integrity of his fleet, and ultimately to save Britain, he risks everything—hi& position, the woman he loves, even making himself liable to charges of treason. Against the turbulent canvas of adventure and intrigue which forms the background of “Lloyd mf London” there stands out one of the great love stories of all time, when force, courage and vengeful fury fought to the death for a love that flamed while the fate of ’an Empire hung in the balance. The romance starts when Jonathan (then played by Tyrone Power), on a secret mission ,xo France, meets the bewitching Madeleine Carroll.

Featured in the excellent supports are pictures of the King and Queen attending the Great National, a travelogue, “Phillipine Fantasy,” and a cartoon.« / •

“Tarzan Espapes,’ At Plaza The best known characters of modern fiction, cartoon and screen . . . the most popular adventure hero in ’ ailc, history.—'Tarzan—is again unreeling hig thrilling jungle life in a Mfetro-»Gqldwy n-Myer picture. This time it is “Tarzan Escapes,” and again Johnny Weismuller ik Tarzan and again Maureen O’Sullivan is the heroine. With hordes of jungle beasts, with enough thrills for a dozen pcitures, and with a brand new romantic idea, the new Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure yarn takes Tarzan and his beloved Jane into the land of the giant bats where perils never before filmed are encountered.

Since her last appearance in a Tarzan picture. Miss O’Sullivan has won dramatic triumphs in an unbroken series of hit pictures. Prominent in the supporting cast of “Tarzan Escapes” are Benita Hume, recently seen as the maleovent spy in “Suzy,” William Henry, Herbert Mimdin and John Buckler. Henry, one of the most promising young juveniles on the M.G.M. lot, plays the role of Jane’s cousin, who braves darkest Africa to find her and induce her to return to civilisation. Mundin adds considerable hilarity in another of his typical cockney characterisations. Buckler is seen as Major Fry, the explorer, as villainous a character as ever fought his way through an African swamp.