STATE THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 56, 29 November 1937, Page 12

STATE THEATRE

"3LAVE SHIP." Yirile entertainm6nt is to be found in "Slave Ship," the Twentieth Cehtury Fox production which sereens at the State Theatre to-night. The sea forms an impressive background for the colourful story of the film, which depicts in realistic inanner the adventurous days when trafficking in slaves took place on the African coast. Warner Baxter and Wailace Beery are seen in the principal dramatic roles. Feminine interest is supplied by ' Elizabeth Allen, while the performance given by the juvenile player Mickey Rooney is of a very bigh standard. "Slave Ship" is the story of a vessel which seems to be under a curse from the moment of its launchiug, It is eventually bought by Warnej* Baxter and witli "Wallaee Beery as M* lirst mate he enters the slave traftio. Oue by oue thcir coppelitors are caught and liuug, but the prolits are so large tliat they are not deterred. On oue of his sojourns on shore, liowever, the captain meets and marries a charming yoilng lady, portrayed by Elizabeth Allan. He determines to reform, and dismisses his crew with the intention of entering legitimate trading, but the crew refuse to leave and foree him to pick up another eargo of slaves. The film is brought to a hluhly exciting climax with the trial of the slave traders, and in these scenes Elizabeth Allan is responsible for some intenselv convincing dramatic acting. The tinui seciuences of "Slave Ship" are particularly appealing.