ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON’S “EBB TIDE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1938, Page 2

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON’S “EBB TIDE”

FILMED IN TECHNICOLOUR. The first sea story filmed in Technicolour comes to the screen tomorrow when “Ebb Tide,”»a Paramount picture, opens at the Regent Theatre. Taken from a story by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne, “Ebb Tide” presents the famed European character actor, Oscar Homolka in an American picture for the first time. Homolka lives up to expectations in his characterisation of Captain Thorbecke, a broken sea captain who has lost his ship and papers through drunkenness. He has the knack of making even the worthless Thorbecke able character. His supporting cast is more than the name implies, since it includes Frances Farmer, Ray Milland, Lloyd Nolan and Barry Fitzgerald of the Abbey Players of Dublin. Milland and Miss Farmer supply the romantic interest of the tale. Their

love story is a strange one, for Milland is a beachcomber friend of Homolka’s while Miss Farmer is the orphaned daughter of a sea captain, who meets him while he and Homolka are planning to steal her ship. The antagonism of the two is slowly changed to a comradely feeling as they go through several harrowing experiences together. When they are at last released from the danger that threatens them, they realise they are in love. Milland is fine as the exiled Englishman who cannot forget his “good” background, and Miss Farmer is lovely and effective as the lone woman mixed up with a trio of scoundrels. Barry Fitzgerald’s depiction of the rascally Cockney makes the character as hateful as any the screen has seen recently, while Nolan lends a masterfully sinister touch to his portrayal of the trader.

The colour of the film is lovely throughout, with the sea and colouring of tropical growths making the perfect setting for a Technicolour film.

Excellent shorts with this programme include a Headliner, a Pictorial Variety Revue, latest overseas, World News, as well as a “Popeye” Cartoon, “I Like Babies and Infants.” Patrons are urged to reserve their favourite seats. Box plans are now open at Perry’s, ’phone 2496.

ENGLISH GYPSY LIFE PORTRAYED.

A really good picture, "Blue Smoke" will be showing at the Cosy Theatre tomorrow. It is an open-air comedydrama of gypsies and boxing, made by Fox at Wembley and starring Tamara Desni, Ralph Ince, Bruce Seton and lan Colin. Tamara Desni and Bruce Seton contribute sincere and authentic portrayals in the best parts of their careers. Ralph Ince, who also directed the picture, is sure of himself in a part that fits him like a glove, as the fight promoter. lan Colin, Hal Walters, Beryl de Querton, Wilson Coleman. Jock McKay and Eric Hales play their parts admirably. An intensely interesting feature in "Blue Smoke” is “Scruffy,” the mongrel dog film star, who has some really good scenes. "Scruffy” was bought at a dogs’ home for 7s 6d, by an enterprising cameraman, Bernard Browne, who put all his money into a short film he made, starring his dog. It was called "Wharves and Strays.”