KING’S THEATRE

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13638, 24 August 1937, Page 5

KING’S THEATRE

XO W s H OWi XG— -“MIC HA EL STROGOFF.’ Ail adventure pciture offering a wealth of excitement, a. tender romance, some of the most spectacular scenes ever photographed and entertainment which sin >u Id find favour with father, mother, sister and brother shows at the King’s Theatre to-night in “Michael Strogoff.” Besides its remarkable pageantry of drama and action, this noteworthy version of Jules Verne’s story introduces a new candidate for picture laurels in the magnetic* person ol Anton Wa lb-rook. The international stag© and screen favourite offered a performance which skyrockets him into the ranks of Hollywood’s topnotcli screen celebrities. Carefully woven into the plot and extraordinary enough to justify paeans of praise <>n ; their own account are tlie tremendous panoramic scenes of the Russian army pitted against the barbaric Tartar hordes in two different battle episodes. These scenes far surpass anything ol the- kind ever filmed, and they alone would make* tin* picture well worth seeing for their sheer, breath-taking effect. As millions who have read the* famous story will recal—and here, for once, is a film version of a book that faithfully follows the original plot—“ Michael Strogoff” concerns itself with tlie perilous journey of its hero across Si Lena, and through hostile* Tartar patrols to roach a besieged Russian army at Irkutsk with the Czar's orders lor the campaign. A beautiful woman spy is on his trail . a Russian girl befriends him: ho is trapped battles river pirates, is captured and tortured by the*. Tartars, but with the* aid of tin loyal girl, attains his mission and a thrilling revenge* over tin* Tartar leader. Margot- Graham© gives an excellent performance as the* spy. who. too late, tries to save" AValbrook from the Tartars. Elizabeth Allan is charming in tlie rob* of the friendless girl whoso shy romance with tin courier provides the love interest, aiul Akim Tamiroff. as the traitorous Russian leading the* Tartar rebellion, turns in n brillimrtlv convincing piece of 'illain v. Fa v Bain ter. Eric- Blore. Eduard Brophv. Paul TTarvev. Paul Gnilfovlo and William Stack are supporting plavors. Goor* < Xicholls Jr. directed “ Michael Strogoff” from Mort mer OfTner and Anthony Veiller’s scenario.