EPIC OF BRITAIN

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 853, 29 August 1933, Page 3

EPIC OF BRITAIN

“ Cavalcade ” Comes to Regent Friday. Four popular screen stars, Warner Baxter, Elissa Landi, Victor .Tory and Miriam Jordan, are featured in " 1 Loved You Wednesday,” the excellent romantic drama which will be shown finally on Thursday night at the Regent Theatre. “To England! Let us drink to the hope that this country, which we love so much, will retain dignity and greatness and will find peace again.”—A toast to the Motherland. And that 1s exactly what Noel Coward’s great spectacle, ‘ Cavalcade,” which will open on Friday night at the Regent. Theatre, is: a toast to England. ” Cavalcade ” was first presented in London as a stage production, and now it is given to the world in talking film form —a form that can embrace far more than one can hope for in a stage presentation. No one can see “ Cavalcade ” and not be

carried away by the wonderful spirit of patriotism that is portrayed throughout the film. The story tells of the lives of a London family and how each member of it is affected by some great event from the Boer War up to the present day. The audience is given glimpses of London on the night of the relief of Mafeking, Queen Victoria's funeral, Bleriot flying the channel, the tragic voyage of the Titanic, France during the War, and London on Armistice Day and during the hectic post-war period. Throughout all these scenes is woven the story of the London family. The acting is perfect, and the direction surpasses anything ever previously attempted. The scenes, settings and mounting and everything connected with the film are so thoroughly realistic that one finds it difficult to believe that one is watching a picture. In short, the whole production bears the hall mark of genius. The leading roles are taken by Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard, who give most remarkable performances. Their make-up as elderly people is nothing short of marvellous. Xo less important are die roles taken by Herbert Mundin, Beryl Mercer, Una O'Connor. Ursula Jeans, Irene Browne and Frank Lawton. Irene Browne and Una O’Connor were in the original London show. Altogether, the cast numbers 3500. . , The box plans are filling rapidly at the Regent.