MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 9

MAJESTIC THEATRE

••THE CALLING DAN MATTHEWS” One of the famous novels of Harold Bell Wright has been made into a picture by Columbia, and will be shown finally to-night at the Majestic Theatre. It is “The Calling of Dan Matthews,’' one of the author's best-known works. Richard Arlen is starred in the role oi Dan Mat thews, a smali-town pastor who steps on some very important toes when he goes about wiping out vice and corruption. Charlotte Wynters recently oi the Broadway siag-e, makes her move debut in “The Calling oi Dan Matthews.” Others in the east include Douglas Dumbritle, Donald Cook, Alary Kornman, Frederick Burton and Lee Aloran. “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Though sticklers for historical accuracy may find one or two faults with . “Mutiny on the Bounty,” which is coming on Easter Saturday to the -Majestic Theatre, the average piclure-gc-ers will see it only as perhaps the greatest film of adventure ever made, it is one of the outstanding films that come all too rarely. It has all the attributes of a great picture—adventure, dramatic suspense, romance scenic beauty, a touch of comedy, and above all a powerful—almost brutal—story ably brought out by skilful acting. Seldom, in fact, has acting of such a high dramatic standard been seen before, the performances ot Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh and Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian being of outstanding merit. Throughout the voyage the tyrannical but dauntless Biigh tries to break the spirits of the men by flogging, overwork and short rations, and even his officers are subjected to indignity, insult and injustice. No wonder when Tahiti is reached crew and officers are looking forward to the relaxation of dry land. But Bligh has other plans —their stay on tihe island paradise just means more work. But they get enough of a taste of its luxury and its beauty to make them feel even more bitter when they set sail again. They rise in mutiny. Adventure follows adventure until the mutineers find safe shelter on the lonely island of Pitcairn. The splendid photography of the film is one of its greatest features, nothing more effective or more dramatic having ever been shown on the screen than the scenes of the ship at sea and of the lovely island of Tahiti.