REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

A BRILLIANT COMEDY. Long awaited, because of its sensational world-wide success as a stage play. Ihe comedy, "Tovarich.” will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre. Produced by Warner Bros, on an unusually lavish scale and having Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer as its stars, the picture is regarded as one of the funniest, and most entertaining of the season's releases. Those who saw the initial showings in Hollywood—and who also saw the stage play—proclaim the film to be decidedly superior. The story finds Miss Colbert, as a Grand Duchess, and Boyer, her husband, as a prince, both of the old Russian nobility, almost starving in Paris, to which capital they have been driven by the Soviet Revolution. This is despite the fact that they have deposited in a Paris bank some 40 billion francs. But their honour won't let them touch this money because it was given to them in trust by the Tsar. Efforts are made by certain FrenchRussian interests to have the Prince release the 40 billion to finance a coun-ter-revolution which might restore the old nobility to control. He refuses, although he is promised plenty of money for himself and his wife. Finally the Grand Duchess and the Prince, in order to eat, have to take jobs as maid and butler in the home of a rich Paris banker. A dramatic situation arises when a Soviet Commissar—played by Basil Rathbone —comes to Paris to try to get hold of the money, and is a dinner guest at the banker's home. The working out of the various efforts to get the 40 billions, and the final disposition of the money form a novel, humorous, and oft-times thrilling plot. Among the notables in the cast are Anita Louise, Isabel Jeans, Montague Love, Melville Cooper. Gregory Gaye. Heather Thatcher, and Reine Riano. Supporting items include “Puppet Love,” a delightful Marionette show in technicolour; "What The World Makes’ a colourtour novelty and latest overseas newsreels;