BELOW THE SEA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 674, 28 October 1933, Page 2

BELOW THE SEA

DRAMA OF TREASURE ROMANCE AND THRILLS GRAND ON THURSDAY One of those big' melodramatic pictures with plenty of sweep and movement, relying for its appeal on what the players do, rather than what they say, is "Belov/ the Sea," a drama which opens Thursday at the Grand Theatre. , For hreadth of action, for thrills, it takes first rank in this reViewer's opinion. At times it held the audience breathiess ih suspense as its stirring situations developed. Briefly the story has to do with a scientific expedition in tropical waters, backed by a spoiled young millionairess, portrayed by the lovely Fay Wray. Aboard her yacht is a former German submarine commander, who secretly is seeking not scientific specimen from the bottom of the ocean, but golden treasure that went down with his U-boat'. This part is in the hands of a newcomer to the screen, Fredrilc Vogeding, who is wellknown in Europe as a great stage actor. Also seeking the gold is an American diver. Ralph Bellamy virile young screen and stage veteran of a hundred parts, portrays this indivi- ! dual. Ester Howard is a third, who is after the treasure, all unknown to

the scientists. She plots with the German against the diver. The high-point of the picture comes when the young millionairess and a companion in a diving bell on the ocean floor, are attacked by a huge octopus, and are saved after a thrill packed fight between the diver and the shuddersome beast. It was only with the greatest difficul'ty that the underwater scenes were photographed. They are beautiful, with rare fish and marine growths and coral specimens, as well as highly appropriate for the action for which they provide the settings. Bellamy as the rough and ready likeable diver, is splendid, and so, too, is the newcomer, Vogeding, in the villainous role of the U-boat skipper. Miss Wray, besides being beautiful, gives a first-class performance as the spoiled snob who eventually comes to recognise real worth when she sees it. Miss Howard portrays, to the life, the proprietress of

a sailors' resort on the waterfront. There is never the slightest suggestion of dullness about "Below the Sea." It moves, every instant — and movement is the essenee of screen drama.