‘THINGS TO COME'

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 22

‘THINGS TO COME'

BRILLIANT PRODUCTION AT REGENT A picture of a most unusual type was shown for the first time at the Regent Theatre yesterday under the title of ‘ Things to Come.’ It is from the pen of H. G. Wells, and was produced by Alexander Korda, who lias many outstanding pictures to his credit. This film is undoubtedly one of tho greatest pictorial achievements to bo seen in Dunedin, and those who attended yesterday’s screenings were enthralled by its brilliant, gripping, and daring depiction of world history during the next 100 years. It is a really great screen spectacle, portraying war, pestilence, banditry, and tho building of a “ brave new world ” with every appearance of realism. In ‘ Things to Como ’ Wells shows the annihilating effects of the next world war and the reconstruction of the world on a scientific basis. Ho visualises a now race, living in beautiful ” landscaped ” surroundings in underground cities free from disease, war, and economic disturbances. An answer to the questions whether men or women will rule the universe, or whether machines will rule both, is revealed in the fabulous new world that H. G. Wells foresees for tho twentyfirst century. The prophetic genius of the novelist deals with many other perplexing problems of to-day, and a picturisation of the world one hundred years from now. In an interview after the first showing of the film in London, Mr Wells said ho had tried to describe strong opposing forces and follow their lino of probable development and their effect upon mankind. The two main forces, ho explained, were scientific drive, spurring men on to greater material conquest, striving for a perfectly controlled, mechanical world, and tho artistic urge, appealing for thought and leisure and individuality. From tho clash of these forces the drama is created and the film staged. It is no dull, highbrow excursion into a hypothetical future —‘ Things to Como ’ is moving and vital. It proves convincingly that Mr Wells, renowned as a story-teller, a weaver of fantasy, a prophet and a word-craftsman, has found a new medium in which to express his genius. But it is ns a spectacle that the film gains its greatest success. The scones of war at tho beginning are really appalling; the ruins of “ Every town,” reduced to barbarism, pestilence-ridden, and ruled by a ruthless “ pocket ” dicator, arc equally impressive; and the underground city of the future, with its white brilliance of steel, stone, and glass, its busy helicopters and televisors, holds the eye bewitched with wonder. The leading roles are admirably played by Raymond Massey, Margaretta Scott, Ralph Richardson, and Sir Cedric Hardwickc. Thousands of extra players arc seen, and in the closing scenes provide a tremendous climax to the film when the crowds storm the base of the space gun from which two of the inhabitants of Wells’s world have volunteered to be shot to the moon. Above all, the film is a triumph of technicians. The spectacular “ effects ” devised by Ned Mann, the direction of William Cameron Menzios, tho brilliant photography of Georges Pcrinal, and the supervision of Alexander Korda are the factors which make the production at once a credit to the British film industry and a notable contribution to motion picture art. ‘ Things to Como ’ is one of the few really great contributions of the screen to contemporary art, and no greater tribute could bo paid than the lact that the picture was acclaimed as enthusiastically in New York as it was in London. The critics praised it more warmly than any production since ‘ The Private Life of Henry VHI.’ The supporting programme includes a newsreel and ‘ Mickey’s Polo Team.’ another fantastic episode in the life of that favourite “ star.”