"THE MORTAL STORM"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 22 February 1941, Page 9

"THE MORTAL STORM"

“The Mortal Storm” is based on ; most versatile actors, as Fritz Marberg. Phyllis Bottome’s powerful novel of who turns on the family which has two lovers and a family caught in the welcomed him as one of their own, toils of hate which startled the world. whose fantastic devotion to a political Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, cause estranges him from the girl he Robert Young and Frank Morgan are loves. Morgan make a complete aboutthe names topping the large cast, with face from his familiar comedy parts to other important roles filled by Robert 1 portray the kindly, tolerant Professor

Stack, Bonita Granville, Irene Rich, ] William T. Orr, Maria Ouspenskaya i and Gene Reynolds, under the direc- i tion of Frank Borzage, creator of 1 many of the screen’s greatest hits. Presenting a sharp contrast to their « comedy portrayals in the Ernst Lubitsch * success, “The Shop Around the Corn- < er,” Miss Sullavan, Stewart and Mor- < gan this time essay roles of the stark- j est dramatic import, with Miss Sulla- 1 van and Stewart as the tragic lovers ; separated by a political upheaval ! which blights their lives and their love . but resolves itself to a poignant and ■ heart-stirring conclusion which makes this as great a love story as “Camille” and “Romeo and Juliet.” ; Robert Young, one of the screen’s

Roth, who has spent a lifetime in idealistic teaching only to reap a harvest of hate from the students who formerly loved and respected him. The production, in addition to the drama of its plot, offers many thrilling scenes pictured in the headlines of today but seldom if ever before shown on the screen. Not the least of these is the interior of a concentration camp. While most of the action transpires in a university town “somewhere in Europe,” there are brief excursions into picturesque mountain regions where the students enjoy ski-ing parties. Another setting is that of a mountain farm injecting a quiet. rural atmosphere in the midst of stark tragedy and intrigue.