ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 200, 24 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “DARK JOURNEY.” A spy drama magnificently presented, and with an arresting theme, screens at the Regont Theatre to-night. It is “Dark Journey” which was produced for Loudon Films by Victor Savilio, English director of repute. Those already privileged to seo Conrad Veidt and Vivien Leigh, a beautiful actress who has had a phenomenal screen career, in this stirring film, agree that it is outstanding entertainment. Stockholm during the Great War years provides the backgrounds of the story, a thrilling and romantic one of counter-espionage. Conrad Veidt has a strong dramatic role ae a German spy who is torn between duty and love. Although a neutral capital, Stockholm was a happy hunting ground for spies of all nations. Baron Karl von Marwitz, an apparent deserter "from the German navy, seeks peace in the frivolity of the capital’s gay life. He falls in love with Madcdeine Godard, whoso shop provides a cloak and means of communication with Paris for her political activities. The story is strong and full of surprising situations. Thrilling highlights include the encounter of a Swedish packet-boat with a German U-boat and many other sea battles. There are scenes depicting with stark reality a combat between a Q-ship and a German submarine, resulting in the destruction of the latter. Realism characterises the acting of the two principals. Conrad Veidt, one of the most distinguished pupils of Max Reinhardt, needs no commendation; his ,successes are too numerous. With Vivien Leigh, who wn3 such an outstanding success in “hire Over England” and who is one of the highest salaried actresses on the screen to day, he develops the emotional theme with a fine quality of restraint. Behind their romance mysterious occurrences cast a shadow over their happiness; though love becomes the dominant emotion of their lives, they are honour bound to destroy ono another. How they survive the menace of death and go forward to a prospect of a new life makes an exceedingly exciting film. For production purposes, the cooperation of the navy, of the Swedish and others, was obtained. Besides Conrad Veidt and Vivien Leigh, the strong cast includes Joan Gardner, Anthony Bushell,

Ureula Jeans, Margery Pickard, _ Eliot Makoham, Austin Trevor and Sam Livesoy. “Dark Journey” will bo released by United Artists.

STATE THEATRE. “THE GREAT BARRIER.” It is not often that one comes away from the theatre these days feeling that one has witnessed something really “big,” something that will live in the memory long alter other things are forgotten, but this is tho way ono leaves “The Great Barrier,” produced as a filnl in the lovely outdoor scenery of Canada’s Rockies, which screens to-night at the States ’theatre. This picture can safely be labelled an “epic” of tho grandest type, telling as it does of the construction of the Canadian Pacific railway. The producers, who made a similar type of film successfully hi “Rhodes of Africa,” name this an Empire film, and it really is. No person or British subject interested in the building of the Empire can afford to miss this, for its sincerity of production and historic intorest, apart from tbo thrilling action and carefully-woven romance, undoubtedly puts it amongst tho finest productions of its kind. Based on “The Great Divide,” written by Allan Sullivan, the producer, Milton Rosincr, has handled tho story in a most praiseworthy manner —giving attention to every detail of historic and fictional interest with convincing results. The story of the film centres around two young men in search of adventure named Hickey (played by Richard Arlcn) and Stove (Barry Mackay), who .find their way to the Canadian Pacific railway, which is in tho late stages of construction. Mary Moody (Antoinette Collier), daughter of ono of the “railway bosses,” is here, and they meet her, Steve making up to her; but she rather likes Hickey who, however, affects disinterest in women. Through a fight in which they become involved at the “Rzit-Trap Tavern,” where tho charm ing Lou (Lilli Palmer) entertains them, they are arrested, and through the lack of money to pay tho fines, are forced to work on the railroad. Hickey soon shines as a leader and becomes a foreman. Mary tries to influence her father in his favour and when a small party of men are selected to prospect for the final and most important pass through which the railroad is to cross tho Rockey Mountains, Hickey and Steve go with it. From this point, the. film moves to an exciting climax. in which the principal players encounter adventure and hardship, and the desirable pass is located. Richard Arlcn has never boon seen to such advantage. He has played in many American films with conspicuous success, but “Hickey” seems to be just right for him. Lilli Palmer, attractive Viennese blonde, plays tbo rolo of Lou and steals every scene in which 6ho appears.