ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT THEATRE. CHARLES LAUGHTON SUCCESS. The eminent English character actor Charles Laughton adds further to his fame by his sterling portrayal in “White Woman,” a powerful drama of life in a remote Malayan settlement, now showing nightly at the Regent. In his latest role, that of an unscrupulous trader, who affects a walrus moustache and who speaks with a cockney accent, Charles Laughton is far removed from his former characterisations. Throughout the film his acting is superb and it is perhaps not too much to say that the success of the whole production, as- was the case with “The Private Life of Henry VIII.,” depends almost entirely upon the acting of the principal player. The story is highly melodramatic and deals primarily with the questionable activities of Horace Prin, a trader, known as the “King of the River,” and the struggle of a European girl, the only white woman at a wayback forest trading post, to win happiness. Charles Laughton is supported by a strong cast, Carole Lombard appearing in the main feminine role. An actress of rare ability and the possessor of a pleasing contralto voipe, she makes a charming heroine. Kent Taylor is seen as her lover and Charles Bickford is depicted as an American adventurer? Many of the scenes are most spectacular and realistic, especially those portraying Malayan life and a native rising. On the same programme are several excellent short films, including a British Paramount News. A matinee will be held to-morrow at 2 p.m. MAGNIFICENT FILM. “CATHERINE THE GREAT.” Those who appreciate fine acting, splendid settings and sensitive direction in a motion picture will enjoy “Catherine the Great” which opened at Everybody’s yesterday. It possesses these qualities to such a degree that it can be regarded as one of the greatest pictures produced in the last three years. To Alexander Korda, who produced “Catherine the Great” for London Films, goes the credit of making an outstanding picture. The story of “Catherine the Great” substitutes a heart-breaking romance for the intrigues that history relates, but is still brilliant entertainment. It is a. love story told against the background of Russian royalty in St. Petersburg in 1745. All the panoply and pomp of the Russian Court are in evidence, authentically magnificent in sets and costumes, but as the picture proceeds these are forgotten, and only the drama of a woman’s love for a half-mad young man—the love of a little German princess for the mad Grand Duke Peter of Russia—has any significance. Elizabeth Bergner makes the piteous lonely figure of the girl Catherine—destined to rule the- great empire —breathtakingly beautiful. Small and with a charming accent, she has a hundred expressions, a hundred cadences inher voice, a hundred moods. Pathos, sincerity, naivete, dignity, tomfoolery—, all are displayed in just the right measure. As the temperamental Grand Duke Peter young Douglas Fairbanks acts in a way which he has never before revealed. Flora Robson, as the Empress Elizabeth, gives an intelligent and finely drawn picture of a fiery, imperious ruler. Sir Gerald du Maurier’s performance as Le Cocq, the Duke’s valet, is excellent. The other members of the well-chosen cast ' fill their parts well. Directed by Dr. Paul Czinner, Elizabeth Bergner’s husband, the film adds flawless lighting and photograph to the qualities which make it an artistic triumph.' Screenings will be repeated twice daily to-day and to-morrow. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. ■ “I WAS A SPY.-” The management of the Opera House' is happy to announce that it has arranged a return screening to-morrow only at 2 and 8 p.m. of the dramatic British masterpiece, ‘‘l Was a Spy.” The excellent cast is headed by Madeleine Carroll, Conrad Veidt and Herbert Marshall. The film has for its setting the atmosphere of a Belgian village in wartime. The dreadful yet brave adventures of the young Belgian woman, Marthe, are told from the day when, through hatred of the Germans and indignation at their occupation of her country, she drifts into the Allies’ espionage service to the scene in her cell after she had been sentenced to a spy’s death. The film is based on the true story of the life of Marthe McKenna, but it does not need that additional interest to make it grasp the imagination and,, to make one recoil from the .cruelty, injustice and ruthlessness of war. Distinctly in a class by- itself as regards potion picture entertainment and possessing a story which should be universally appealing, “Lady for a Day,” the Columbia production, starring May Robson with Warren William, commences at the New Plymouth Opera House on Saturday next at 2 and 8 p.m. “Lady for a Day” is like a fantastic fairy tale, yet it is real and human. Its appealing humour and touching dramatic scenes make the laughs and tears blend wholesomely with an emotionally agitating effect that is at once over-powering. A revelation to picture audiences will be the performance of May Robson as “Apple Annie.” The complete cast, from the star down, is said to deserve the highest praise for their performance. Frank Capra, the director, again reveals his genius in comedy and drama. He has taken the story, by Damon Runyon, which appeared in the Cosmopolitan magazine as “Madame La Gimp,” and has transcribed it to .he screen as an even more brilliant screen drama.