TALKING FILMS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21111, 12 March 1934, Page 4

TALKING FILMS

♦ CIVIC THEATRE « ROME EXPRESS " | Those who comprised the capacity | audience at the Civic Theatre on Sat-| urdav evidently were glad that they had caught the "Rome Express" for there were many indications that they thoroughly had enjoyed this exceptionally line British Dominions Film, ol' which Walter Forde was the director. From the press and other opinions i of the film expectations were raised to j the highest pitch and they were rea- , lised in every particular. On first con- | sideration a iilm picturing incidents on ! a train, and almost wholly restricted : to such incidents, does not appear to ; promise much variety, but the marvel- j lous feature of the iilm is that this is hardlv noted so intensely absorbing are tiie incidents pictured. The wonderful success attained in photographing the scenes has won general recognition and it must be admitted unreservedly that "Rome Express" is an undoubted triumph for British producers and artists. • There is no brain-rackini? mystery ! about the dramatic happenings that ! form the plot, of "Home Express," and 5 there arc no teasing problems about | the murder, or the motives lor it, in which those happenings culminate. There arc dark deeds enough in a murder, a suicide, a tneft 01 two, and a little blackmailing. The play is good, but the players are better. It is presented by an extraordinarily able caste, and they do it all amazingly well. A valuable picture, a Van D.vck, has been stolen, and one of tha gang, who has double crossed his two accomplices thinking that he has eluded them, boards the Paris-Rome express with the intention of disposing of the treasure in Rome. But his accomplices have boarded the train at the last minute and immediately begin their search for the picture and for thenman, Poole,' who has it in his possesion. This is a task much more difficult than it appears, for by a series of misadventures the brief case containing it falls into the hands of a Scots millionaiiv and art lover. Zuita, impersonated by Conrad Veidt, the master crook, truces the pictuie to the millionaire s sleeping bcith, but is disturbed while making his thieving search I:i the meantime the murder of Poole has been discovered and a French police utl'.cer has begun in-vc-tieatiru; and his enquiries implicate a film star. Asta Mavelle, who is represented by Esther Ralston, her | former lover, Tony (Hugh Williams), | Mrs Maxted <Joan Barry I, who has j run awav from her husband with one Grant iHarold Iluthi, and Zurta. The I sheeting home of the crime to Zurta j is followed bv his sensational suicide | by leaping off the express when it is j going at full speed. j Conrad Veidt. as the master crook, is entirely convincing; he is cool and resourcetul. suave and polished, equal to everv occasion. Sir Cedric Hardwicke. as Alistair Mcßane, the millionaire art collector, also is entirely satisfactory. Esther Ralston, as the film favourite wearied of too much publicity, has a small part, but her very striking good looks could scarcely fail to make her success_ in the role. The honours for contributing the humorous element easily go to Cordon Marker, whose presentation el Tom Bishop—"Bishop by name, but not bv nature" —is an outstanding performance. As a boisterous bounder who finds great delight in his own rather obvious jokes, and in the rc--1 lion of liis own skill at golf. Marker would be difficult to surpass. The other contributor of humour is Asta Marvelle's press agent, with \anker' aggressiveness and horu-iimmed j spectacles complete. Me arranges a "reat reception for the star on her arrival at Rome—"a bunch oT duke-, and 1 should not be surprised if Mussolini himself was there"—-only to have his plans upset by the non-appearance o£ tlie capricious film favourite. Otheis participating in the production possess ability of a high order, and the resuU is an "even and harmonious film. ' The first part of the programme included a scenic film picturing Salisbury and its beautiful cathedral, views of the exterior and interior being most nleasins; the .same film pictured Stonehenge. that mystery of the ages w.uc.i has not vet been solved. "What the Stars Foretell" dealt with the horoscopes of those born under the signs of Capricorn <the goat> and Aquarius ithc water-carrieri. The Ideal Scried entitled "Beauty and Bust. was noteworthy lor the examples how face massage and.other beaut itsing processes are learned from exercises on plaster busts. Regent Theatre—"Gold Digger- of " 19311," p.m. and 8 p.m. Plaza Theatre —"Facing the Mu.-ie. 11 a.m., L>.3o. and a p.m. Crvf.ta.l Palace—'"Channel Cror.-iiiß." 1:2, 2 :il>, and 8 p.m. Majestic Theatre—"The Frontier Marshal." i-, and B p.m. Theatre Royal- "The l.ove Nest." -30 and 0 p.m. Liberty Theatre— and "Hell to Heaven," 2.13 and 7.45 p.m. i Grand Theatre- -"Sally in our Alley," continuous from 11 a.m.