AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25298, 7 August 1943, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A CAPTIVATING FILM As John Steinbeck’s famous book of the California paisano of “Tortilla Flat ’ thrilled the reading public, the screen ad/ptation, which heads the new programme shown at the Regent Theatre yesterday, appears to be just as popular, witL ’’ movie ” patrons. The starring roles are filled by Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, and John Garfield, and a carefullyselected cast lends admirable support. The beauty and human understanding cf Steinbeck’s written words have been captured for the screen with fidelity. The laughing, care-free’ paisonas whom lie knew are all there in the flesh. Spencer Tracy is the ,philosophical Pilon, in his most entertaining characterisation. Hedy Lamarr becomes the fiery Dolores, pigtailed beauty of the settlement, who is wooed and won by John Garfield, portraying the lazy, lovable Danny. Frank Morgan brings his rare humour to the role of the bearded “Pirate," something of a miser outwardly, but at heart a generous and magnificent man. The Steinbeck characters are revealed faithfully, even to the five nondescript dogs which surround the “Pirate.’.’ . The sets provided by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were built from the descriptions by the author.. No detail is. lacking, neither the, loveliness of Monterey nor the background of the bay, the chickens and the seagulls, pigs, goats, and the fish. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.