AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 238, 25 September 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

“THE CROWD ROARS” A “movie” in the real sense of tln> word, so packed! with motion and action that it keeps, the audience on the edge of its seats throughout, is “The Crowd Roars,” Robert Taylor’s latest stellar triumph, screening; at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And it is a triumph foi‘ Taylor, for lie provides the surprise of the year in his first prize fight role, giving more verisimilitude to the character of Tommy “Killetf” McCoy than probably any other film player who, ever essayed a light part. It’s a virile, two-fistecl smashing role that more than fulfils the promise that the star revealed in “A Yank at Oxford.” He dishes it out, and how he takes it! This is easily the finest job of both acting and entertainment that Taylor has ever turned out.

Teamed with, the star again is Maureen O’Sullivan, who once more shows herself the ideal romantic foil, sincere, appealing and fortright. And for competition there’s, her school cliiun, Jane Wyman, admirable as the blonde rival for, Taylor’s affections. If anyone could “steal” the picture from Taylor, ,which is well-nigh impossible, so completely does he score a knockout, it would be Frank Morgan as his father, the dissolute exvaudeville “ham.” As Brian McCoy, Morgan is superb not only in his comedy that “leaves ’em in the aisles,” but in his dramatic delineation of all the character’s potentialities. It is an acting gem. Edward Arnold as the big-shot gambler who pulls, the behind-the-arena strings; William Gargan in a memorable role as Johnny Martin, ex-light-heavvweight champ, who is killed by his former pupil, Taylor, in a comeback bout;. Isabel Jewell as Gargan’s wife ; Lionel Stander, typical as “Happy”, Taylor’s trainer;'Nat Pendleton as Arnold’s racketeering rival, and young Gene Reynolds, outstanding as Tommy McCoy as a boy, vie so closely for supporting honours that a host of other character players can but follow in their footsteps.