LONDON THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 18

LONDON THEATRE

‘HIGH TREASON” BRITISH PICTURE PLAN Tlie London Theatre (late Grand) will open tomorrow with, a change of policy, whereby only British-made films or films of British sentiment will be shown. For the opening programme “High Treason,” directed by Maurice Elvey, has been selected. In brief, the plot shows how in 1940 the two great world Powers are the United Atlantic States and the Federated States of Europe. Twenty-five million people of all nationalities have formed a Peace League to prevent war and are prepared to go to any extreme to attain their object. Human invention has progressed, but human nature remains much the same, and a couple of soldiers trying to cheat each other over a game of cards at a frontier brings about events which threaten a war of extermination. To prevent the declaration of war the president of the Peace League assassinates the president of the European States and broadcasts a message to the world which conciliates the Atlantic States and enables them to maintain diplomatic relations. The president of the Peace League is content to pay the extreme penalty for his action. “High Treason” is interesting from another point of view. It was the first talkie which Jameson Thomas, the British film star, made. He possesses a good talking voice. Benita Hume is excellent as the heroine, and Raymond Massey should be mentioned for his very clever portrayal of a small part. British short talkie subjects will complete the programme.