REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 252, 23 October 1937, Page 11

REGENT THEATRE

“FAREWELL AGAIN.” An aspect of Brrish life that has rarely before been treated in films, the protection and policing of the far corners of the Empire, provides the basis upon which the film “Farewell Again,” which will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-day, has been created. This is not a war film, although it deals with soldiers; nor is it a “jingoist” picture, although the men and women who are portrayed in it are patriots in the best sense of the word. “Farewell Again,” in short, is a film that makes its appeal to the emotions not from any flag-waving sentiment, but because it reveals the hearts of the men to whom the guardianship of the Empire is entrusted. Leslie Banks, who appeared in “Sanders of the River” and in “Fire Over England,” with Flora Robson, takes the part in this film of Colonel Blair, Flora Robson again appearing with him, this time as his wife. Both these accomplished actors create, as it were, the atmosphere of the picture, showing that restraint in acting is far more effective than rhetoric, and mat a convincing naturalness can make a character live that would otherwise languish in unreality. Sebastian Shaw, last seen in the film “Men Are Not Gods,” takes the part of Captain Reed, who is going to

England to be married, but who finds that he has fallen in love with a nurse on board the troopship. He shows a feeling for those smaller, points of character that lead to reality, as docs Patricia Hilliard, who |is seen as the nurse. Variety is I provided by t he characters, and a drajmatic unity by the setting. Humour of a type linked with the army is found in the portrayals of Wally I Patch and Edward Lexy, who appeal [as Sergeant-Major Billings and Ser[geant Brough respectively. “Faro* I well Aga'n” is notable as being thg most authentic film made by Alexander Korda, and one which should have a strong appeal to audiences throughout the British Empire. A feature of the supporting programme to be screened with “Farewell Again” is a Walt Disney Academy Award Revue, comprising several of the most popular cartoons made by Walt Disney and his band of artists.