ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 202, 27 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “DARK JOURNEY.” A spy drama magnificently presented, and with an - arresting! theme, screens at tiro Regent Theatre to-night. It is “Dark Journey” which was produced for London Films . by Victor Saville, English director of repute.-. Those already privileged to see Conrad Veidt and Vivic-n Leigh, a beautiful actress who has had a phenomenal screen career, m 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 as a German spy who is torn between duty and love. Although a neutral capital, Stockholm was a happy hunting ground for spies of al! nations. Baron Karl von Manvitz, an apjiarcnt deserter from the German navy, seeks peace in the frivolity of the capital’s gay lii'c. He falls in love with Madedeino 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 tiio encounter of a Swedish packet-boat with a German U-boat anti 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.

STATE THEATRE. “THE GREAT BARRIER.” It is not often that one conics away from the theatre these days that one has witnessed something really “lug, something that will live in the memory long after other things are hut this is the way one leaves “The Great Barrier,” produced as a film in the lovely outdoor scenery of Canada's Rockies, which screens finally to-niglyt at the State Theatre. This picture ’ can safely be labelled an “epic” of tho grandest type, telling as it docs of the construction of the Canauian Pacific railway. No person or British subject interested in the building of the Empire can aiford to iniss 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 Ros mcr, has handled the story in a most praiseworthy manner—jjiving attention to evory detail of historic and fictional intercut with convincing results. ’1 he story of tho film centres around two young men in search of adventure named lliekcy (playcd by Richard Arlon) and Steve (Marry Mackay), who find their , way to the 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; but 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, are forced to work on the railroad. Hickey scon shines as a leader and becomes a- foreman. Mary tries to influence her faiher 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 the Roekey Mountains, Hickey and Steve go with it. From this point, tho film moves to an exciting climax, in which the principal players encounter adventure and hardship, and the desirable pass is located. Richard Arlen has never been seen to such advantage. He has played in many American films with conspicuous success, hut “Hickey” seems to be jsut right for him. Lilli Palmer, attractive Viennese blonde, plays tho role of l/ou and steals every scene in which she appears.