REGENT THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 135, 24 June 1937, Page 12

REGENT THEATRE

"CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE" "The Charge of the Light Brigade," the Warner Bros. pieture co-starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Hnvilland screens at the Regent Theatre for the first time to-morrow. The soul-stirring spirit of Lord Teninyson's immortal poem, "Charge of

the Light Brigade," carries through the pieture to The terrific climax — although the tragic love story of the two English brothers who make love to the feame Seottish girl, makes up the Army post in Indiau08etaoin shrdlu c real substance of the story. It is at an Army post in India that the idyll of Captain GeofErey Vickers and Elsa Campbell begins and ends. The illfated lovers are unforgettably portrayed by Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. 1 The happiness of the two is wreckod by the fact that Elsa falls hopelessly in love with Captain Perry Vickers, younger brother of Geoffrey, while the latter is away ilghtiug insurgent tribesmen on the border. It is in India also that many of the most thrilling episodes take place, including border skirrnishes and the massacre, by the treacherous Amir of Suristan, of the entire gairison at Chukoti, including officers, men, women and children. From thence the exciting actipn moves to the battle front in the Crimea, to which the British troops have been transferred. It is there that Geoft'rey, after Elsa's confession that her love is for his brother, saves the latter 3s life by sending him back to headquarters with a message to the Commandant. Errol Flynn gaves a magnificent performance both as the lover and the fighting warrior who deliberately changes his superior's order of attack, himself leading the Light Brigade into the "mouth of hell"l Olivia de Havilland is extremely moving as the girl who is torn between the lo'ves of the two brothers. The character is drawn with a sympathy and understanding rare in so young an actross. Patric Knowles, who was brought from England to play the role of Geoifrey's brother, portrays the part with fine artistry and, oddly enough, greatly resembles Errol Flynn. All the members of the large cast are admirably suited to their parts, but special mention is deserved by Henry Stepheuson, field lharshal in the Criiuea; Nigel Bruce, Commander of the Light Brigade; Donald Crisp as the t'ather of the heroine, and one of those slain at Chukoti; David Niven aud G. P. Huntly, Jr», as Army officers; C. Huutley Gordon as Surat Khan, Amir of iSuristan; and Spring ByingtoiL as the wife of a British Army officer. In addition the Coronation 2000-foot lilui screens for 25 minutes, giving a full pietorial reccYd of the Coronation ceremonies.