REGENT THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 186, 24 August 1937, Page 4

REGENT THEATRE

* 'ELEPHANT BOY,'* "Elephant Boy," which . screeils at the Regent to-night,. is pgre . than a mere film. It is an object lesson an object-lesson demonstrating that all the high-powered equipment of tHe studio is not indispensable tb tho miaking of a really great film. "Elephant Boy" has been. made almost entirely outdoors. No elaborate aids of incandescent lighting, of lavish setting, were enlisted in its making. Yet the film' stands on a peak of eminenee in spite of it all— or rather, perhaps, because of i't. I' or its setting is the formidabie mngmbcence of india's mountain and jungle, and its cast is composed of simple characters in the giant clephants of India and their all-wise, understanding and gentle mahouts. The story does not rely upon ingenious subtleties lor its effect ; it does not have to. Kipiing's "Toomai of the Elephants" furnished fts basis and from that material has been made a splendid film. This film is notahle for two things, the direction of Rohert • Flaherty and tlie acting of Sabu, a I3-year-old Indian boy. _ Sabu is responsible for a wonderfully convineing portrayal in the part of Toomai. His acting is simple and straightforward. The production contains many impressive and spectacular seenes that are characteristie of films •produced by Alexander Eorda.