IMMIGRATION DRAMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 8

IMMIGRATION DRAMA

A drama of world-famed'Ellis Island i« "Gateway," the 20th Century-Fox film, starring Don Ameche and Arleen Whelan. The production, which commences at the Grand Theatre to-day. is tense with violent emotions and keyed-up suspense; bright with the lightness of hearts bouyed up with hope, and kaleidoscopic with its people from all lands. Of its timeliness there is no question. Don Ameche and Arleen Whelan are cast as two young people who feared they had met too late. Their support is a cast of actors and actresses worthy of such a stirring stay. Ameche is a homecoming newsnaper correspondent. Arleen is a young lass in the second cabin, who is to meet her fiance in America. Her beauty has attracted not only the newspaperman, but a gangster (Gilbert Roland) and a politically-minded mayor (Raymond Walburn). A famous divorcee (Binnie Barnes) has aided the romance between Don and Arleen. Below decks are the political fugitives and expatriates of many lands who now seek refuge at America's "Gato way." Tense, human drama rises to compelling heights in the babel of tongues and the terror of people in an unknown land. Here Gregory Ratoff, John Carradine. Maurice Moscovich. Harry Carey. Marjorie Gateson Lyle Talbot and many others provide a story which directly influences the romance between Don and Arleen. What ap Dears at times to be inevitable destinyis touched here and there with brilliant touches of humour. Happily all the new arrivals in this land find it the refuge they seek. Alfred Werker was in charge of directing. The screen play is by Lamar Trotti from a story by Walter Reisch. Darryl F Zanuck was in charge of production with Samuel G. Engel as associate producer.