GRIMNESS AND HUMOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1028, 19 July 1930, Page 14

GRIMNESS AND HUMOUR

COLMAN AT HIS BEST IN “CONDEMNED’’

FINE PROGRAMME AT REGENT Men ground under the grim French penal system at Devil’s Island, human hopes wrecked on * the altar of justice— “Condemned,” which had its premiere at the New Regent Theatre last evening, told an intensely gripping story of the frailties of mankind under terrific stress. In it, Ronald Colman gave a superb portrayal of a debonair and fearless you*th caught in the cogs of a ruthless machine of prison enforcement.

Tremendous power and dramatic value was revealed in many scenes. “Condemned,” set in the famous French penal colony on the notorious lie du Diable, off the coast of French Guiana, in South America, has been hailed as Ronald Colman’s greatest picture. Opposite him in the east is Ann Harding, noted stage star who entered the limelight in her first picture, “Paris Bound,” just as Colman came to the fore after his great success in “Bulldog Drummond.” Those responsible for the stirring story of “Condemned” are a famous author and a famous playwright. Sidney Howard adapted his play, “They Knew' What They Wanted,” to the screen from “Condemned to Devil's Island,” by Blair Niles.

There is always a most intriguing lure about stories of the tropics and the islands, and “Condemned’* holds that fascination. There are the feverinfested swamps, the sordid horrors of prison ships and squalid cells, and through all the misery grows pure love between a convict and a beautiful girl. The niftiirp i«a in.

"he picture is indeed an education and a classic. Devil’s Island is actually the prison where tho most desperate Frencliji criminals are sent V to exist under con-1 ditions which doom most of them to an early death. It is Devil’s Island, a stern, forbidding jungleland, surrounded by a shark-infested sea, where society

sent' Michel, a reckless French thief a part played excellently by Colman to serve a'term under the harsh punishment system. 'The island of living death” is the description applied by the French to Devil’s Island. v\ ith Michel, are Jacques, played by Louis Wolheim, a know murderer; and a ship-load of French desperadoes. Madame Vidal, the beautiful wife of the warden of the island lives in a fear of the island and its treacherous inhabitants, and her husband, merely for bravado and to show his power, bullies her into taking one of the convicts as a house servant as he, the blustering and overbearing Vidal resents the fact that his wife should do her own housework. Michel is selected as tho servant. Madam Vidal lives in a realm of fear, but Michel, with his apparent charm and sympathy for her sad plight, overcomes her fears, and she finds herself dangerously attracted toward him. They dare not make known their feelings to one another, and yet each know so well. They associate constantly and this causes much gossip among the women on the isand. Rumours reach Vidal’s ears, and mad with rage and jealousy, he fights desperately for a confession from his wife, but his attempt fails miserably. Then be calls on Michel in an endeavour to obtain the truth. But for his trouble he is there struck in the face by Mjchcl. Then comes the most dramatic scene. Madam Vidal has followed her husband to the prison, and has heard and seen all. She becomes frenzied by the convicts rash actions, and in a form of madness she turns on her husband and swears that Michel is innocent and openly claims that she loves him. Michel is to suffer for it, and he is sent off into solitary confinement, and the notorious Jacques is chosen to serve in the Vidal household. It is most consoling to Madame Vidal when she finds that this man is. a friend of Michel./Then plans are prepared for tho escape of Michel. Here comes an abundance of thrills and excitement, and even tragedy. The climax is a most fitting one. “Condemned” is indeed a star picture, and it is well worthy of the three long years which it took to prepare. Dudley Digges plays the part of Vidal, and he does it in some of his finest acting. Other actors are William Elmer, Albert Kingsley and William Vaughn. At intervals during the picture stirring convict songs are heard in appropriate sets. There is also a varied supporting programme. “Whispering Whoopee." starring Chase, is a first-class talkie comedy, while Titta Ruffo, the Italian baritone, provides an enjoyable entertainment. A lighter touch is provided by Tom Waring, in the singing of a few of the latest “hits,” including “Glad Rag Doll." "Just a Garden” and “I Am Marching Home To You.” Hearst MCtrotone News provided some of the world’s most interesting events. Firstly, the Australian cricketers in action at Home in the first test and a series of scenes taken during the Wilkins Arctic expedition. A considerable improvement is noticeable in the talkies at the Regent, and it is without doubt now one of Auckland’s finest sound houses.