REGENT

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 14

REGENT

The stirring days of the French Revolution have been drawn upon, as a background for many stories, for few periods in European history are so rich in adventure, colourful pageantry, and ■ romance. Moreover, few writers have been so successful with historical themes as Rafael Sabatini, and his latest work to be translated to the screen, ‘The Marriage of Corbal,’ which opened its Dunedin season at the Regent to-day, shows yet again what a wealth of screen material is provided in his novels. For once here is a film of the revolution which attempts neither to parade the luxurious excesses of the aristocracy, nor to dally over scenes of howling, bloodthirsty mobs. It is an action-filled story of a young aristocrat who believed in the principles for which the revolutionaries fought, although not agreeing with the methods by which they gained their ends. To his estate came a young woman who had been saved from the guillotine by the protection of a revolutionary, and when the revolutionary and the aristocrat both fall in love with her a battle of wits resulted. The closing stages abound in dramatic incident. Hazel Terry, the latest recruit from a distinguished English theatrical family, shows distinct promise in the difficult leading feminine role. She portrays the young woman wth naturalness and charm, ably carrying on the great traditions of her family. Nils Asther gives one of his best performances as the vindictive revolutionary who has so involved himself that a false step would mean his death, while a splendid contrast is provided by the imperturbable Hugh Sinclair, as the . aristocrat who opposes him. The best of a large supporting cast is Noah Beery, who appears as a gruff but kindly sergeant.