PATEA TOWN HALL TALKIES

Patea Mail, Volume LII, 2 March 1931, Page 3

PATEA TOWN HALL TALKIES

TUESDAY AND WEDXESDAYJOHX BOLDS IX "CAPTAIN 01' THE 0 UA.RD. ’ ’ Any picture which brings John Ikdes’ magnificent voice to nn audieucc is hound to be good entertainment. When, in addition; it has an appealing romance, magnilicent drama, and a theme like the “.Marseillaise" song, there isn't much left to be desired. “Captain of the Guard," which opens to-morrow at the Town Hall, is a dramatic musical spectacle of the biggest episode in French history. The theme is the spirit which led to the He.volution, as typified by the birth of “La Marseillaise" itself. The song, by till odds the most stirring piece of music ever written, is the glorious drama upon which the Him is built. Besides the romantic beauty of the love scenes and the spectacularity of the battle scenes, “Captain of the Guard" has the innate appeal of greatness in its story value. 'Written by Houston Branch, it is an inspired piece of drama handled in an inspirational manner—the manner that carries an audience bodily before it by the sheer power of its theme, Sam tie Grasse plays the villainous Bazin, ami the intense hate which ho provokes is a tribute to his characterisation* James Marcus us Marnay, George Hackathome as Kobespierro, Lionel Belmore as the Colonel, Stuart Holmes as Louis XVI., and all the others entrusted with the outstanding parts give excellent portrayals.