IN JAVA SEAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 702, 29 June 1929, Page 14

IN JAVA SEAS

“THE RESCUE” A SUCCESS

ROMANCE AT THE MAJESTIC ‘‘Steer North,” said King Tom. The helmsman tugged at the spokes of the heavy 'wheel, the sails tilled, and the long yards swung to meet the wind. Then the graceful ship slipped out of the bay and melted into the dusk. Far astern the lights of a trim yacht twinkled, for the last time. A man and a woman had parted after living their brief but thrilling romance in Java seas. Such is the closing scene of “The Rescue,” motion picture adaptation ol the Well-known Joseph Conrad novel, presented for the first time at the Majestic last evening. It is a film that is bound to be popular, containing, as it does, all the virtues of colourful drama, superbly photographed, excellently acted and produced with the suave polish that is the hall-mark of a good United Artists release. . Supporting “The Rescue” last evening was a programme of exceptional worth. Pride of place among the shorter films was taken by an arresting budget of views from the stricken areas of the West Coast. Photographed by a New Zealand cameraman who visited Murchison, Nelson, Westport and other affected centres, the picture tells its story with a realism and forcefulness that no pen could equal. It provides moving proof of the enormous damage that has been done to homes, towns, farms and lines of communication. Apart from its outstanding news interest, it is valuable propaganda in assisting the present Dominion-wide call for financial aid. But to return to the purple seas of Java where a young gun-runner meets and loves the beautiful wife of an Englishman; where he attempts to replace a banished rajah; where he faces perils innumerable, witnessing the final dissolution of his plans, caused by the terrific explosion of a powder hulk. ‘‘The Rescue” is pure romance in a glowing setting of Eastern ceremony and atmosphere. The book represented Conrad in fanciful but immensely entertaining vein, and the picture has captured more than a little of its spirit, j besides conveying something of the “sea feeling” that made the author famous. The photographs’' is arresting, even in an age of camera marvels. The sea settings, the night scenes and the glimpses of Eastern life and colour are splendid. At the head of the list of players is Ronald Colman, whose work, if anything. is better than ever. As “King the young Englishman, he compels admiration for his great strength of characterisation.. Opposite him is Laly Damita, a French woman, who is comparatively a newcomer to Hollywood and who is one of the most beautiful women in films today. As the alluring Lady Travers of the tale she acts with a subtle polish that proves her Continental studentship. She is a worthy successor to Colman’s onetime partner, Vilma Banky. Eve’s Review and another good Majestic News have their places on the new hill, while last, but not least, is an amusing “Charley Chase” comedy. Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh and his orchestra offer an attractive musical programme.