"BLOCKADE"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 21 January 1939, Page 13

" BLOCKADE"

SENSATIONAL DRAMA OF WAR-TORN SPAIN

The most dramatic situation of the 1 present day—the Spanish civil war— 1 forms the background of the tempes- ] tuous love story which is told in < “Blockade,” Walter Wagner’s thrilling 5 romantic drama which stars Madeleine Carroll and Henpy Fonda. This is the romance of a man and j a girl drawn into the conflict almost i against their will —lovers who were at j the same time bitter enemies. “Blockade,” though it employs the ’ war only as a background and favours neither side in the conflict, furnishes a 1

the life of an entire nation. Without being propaganda in any sense, the picture nevertheless demonstrates the complete futility of war as a means of solving the problems of the world. Another important setting was erected on the bank of the Los Angeles River, at most seasons a tiny rivulet in a dry wash, but the flood conditions resulting from heavy rains caused the river to become a raging torrent, overflowing its banks and completely wrecking the set after it had been used between showers for several days. Confronted with this minor catas-

highly interesting and remarkably 1 accurate picture of Spain’s civil strife. 1 Produced on a lavish scale, its many s elaborate settings are outstanding ex- 1 amples of Hollywood’s uncanny skill 1 in achieving realism in locale and 1 atmosphere. One setting, the scene of much ’ thrilling action, shows the entire 1 waterfront of a Spanish town, with its 1 sea wall fronting on the Mediterranean ; and a welter of buildings crowding < almost to the water’s edge. Aeroplane raids, fierce battles in ] rural areas, the flight of refugees—all ] are shown in a manner that clearly .1 brings to the audience an understanding of a condition that has disrupted 1

trophe, technical departments, working all night, constructed within a sound stage at the studio an exact replica of the original set—even to the river—and here the remaining scenes In this location were filmed. This unusual pciture was directed by William Dieterle, whose recent “Life of Emile Zola” was adjudged by vote of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences the greatest motion picture of 1937. In addition to Leo Carrillo, the cast supporting Miss Carroll and Fonda in “Blockade” includes John Halliday, Reginald Denny, Vladimir •Sokoloff and Robert Warwick. The production is released through United Artists.