ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “THE GREAT BARRIER.” • - It is not often that one comes away from the theatre those days feeling that i one has witnessed something really “big,” ' something that will live in the memory ! long after other things are forgotten, but this is the way one leaves “The Great 'Barrier,” produced as a film in the lovely outdoor scenery of Canada’s Rockies, which screens to-night at the Stales ’Theatre. This picture can safely be labelled an “epic” of the grandest type, telling as it docs of the construction of the j Canadian Pacific railwuy. No person ' or British subject interested in the building of the Empire can afford to miss this, | for its sincerity of production and historic interest, apart from the thrilling action and carefully-woven romance, undoubtedly puts it amongst the finest productions of its kind. Based on “The Great Divide,” written by Allan Sullivan, the producer, Milton Bosmer, has handled the story in a most praiseworthy manner —giving attention to i every detail of historic and fictional in : 1 tercet with convincing results. The story of the film centres around two young men ill search of adventure named liickcy (played by Richard Arlcn) and Stovo (Barry Mackay), who find their way to I lie Canadian Pacific railway, which is in the late stages of construction. Mary (Moody (Antoinette Collier), daughter of one of the “railway bosses,” is here, and they meet her, Steve making up to her; i hut she rather likes Hickey who, however, affects disinterest in women. Through a fight in which they become involved at the “Rut-Trap Tavern,” where the charm ing Lou (Lilli Palmer) entertains them, ' they are arrested, and through the lack of money to pay the fines, axe 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 arc selected to prospect for the final and most, important pass through which the railroad is to cross the Rockey (Mountains, Hickey and Steve go with it.

REGENT THEATRE. “DARK JOURNEY.” A spy drama magnificently presented, and with an arresting theme, screens at the Regent Theatre to-night. It is “Dark Journey” which was produced for London Films by Victor Snville, English director of repute. These already privileged to see Conrad Veidt and Vivien Leigh, a beautiful actress who has had a phenomenal screen career, in this stirring film, agree that it is outstanding cnlortainmciil. 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 as a German spy who i? lorn between duty and love. Although a neutral capital, Stockholm was a happy hunting ground for spies of all nations. Baron Karl von Manvitz, an apparent deserter from the German navy, seeks peace in the frivolity of the capital’s gay life. lie tails in lo\e with AJadedcino Godard, whose 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-sltip 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 Aiax Reinhardt, needs no commendation; his successes are too numerous. With Vivien Leigh, who was such an outstanding success in “Fire 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 Gceurrcncits cast a shadow over their happiness; though love becomes the dominant emotion of their lives, they are honour bound to destroy one another. How they survive the menace of death and go forward to a prospect of a new life makes an exceedingly exciting film.