REGENT

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 2

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 is having a season at the Regent, shows yet again what a wealth of screen material is provided in his novels. For once hero 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. The story concerns de Varennes, the revoluntionary, who helps the aristocratic Cleonie to escape from the shadow of the guillotine by providing her with male clothes and passing her off as his nephew. When the girl finds that he expects an impossible payment she runs away and takes refuge with Corbal, to whose country the tribunal’s agent has penetrated with his men. Vengefully de Varennes does his best to get the marquis sentenced to death as a traitor, but the faith of the villagers defeats him. Thereafter he tries other means to destroy Corbal and regain possession of the lady. Nils Asther gives an excellent characterisation of the young revolutionary leader, Varennes, while Hazel Terry, as the Countess Cleonie, and Hugh.-Sinclair, as tho Marquis of Corbal, both contribute outstanding portrayals. Noah Beery heads the supporting cast. ’