STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“DOWN ON THE FARM.” The current programme at the State Theatre headed by “Down On The Farm” and “Charlie Chan in Honolulu” will be finally shown tonight. “THE CHALLENGE.” An historic and tragic feat of mountaineering is recalled by “The Challenge,” the new London film which will be shown tomorrow night at the State Theatre. Taken from a real life incident of more than seventy years ago, it retells the story, part fact, part fiction, of the first ascent of the Matterhorn which until actually climbed in 1865 was considered unconquerable. The main character in the drama was a noted English mountaineer, Edward Whymper, who with three fellow countrymen and three Swiss guides, set out from Zermatt, a village at the foot of the Matterhorn, and raced a party of Italians starting from the Italian side of the summit. Descending, the Englishmen met with disaster. Four were killed, Whymper returning with two guides. Scandal arose from a persistent rumour that one of the guides had cut the rope. Eight weeks were spent on location in Switzerland, filming amongst the Alps, and the spectacular mountain backgrounds secured for scenes in “The Challenge” have probably never been surpassed in the history of screen entertainment. Heading the cast of the film is Luis Trenker, the Austrian actor-director, famous fox- “ The Doomed Battalion.” He plays the role of Jean-Antoine Carrel, leader of the Italian attempt. The role of Whymper is taken by Robert Douglas, the promising young actor who is at last obtaining some measure of recognition. Other leading parts are played by Joan Gardner and Mary Clare.

The second feature is “Typhoon Treasure,” which has aptly been described as Australia’s first adventureromance. Much of the action takes place under water; on the bed of a coral reef, with its queer formation and exotic-looking fish; and round the crocodile-infested rivers of Northern Queensland. ■ Leading featured roles in “Typhoon Treasure” are taken by Campbell Copelin, well-known on the Australian stage, Gwen Munro and Joe Valli. The supporting cast is headed by such capable artists as Kenneth Brampton, Douglas Herald and Norman French, while Utan, Torres Straits islander who takes the leading native role, is being hailed as a definite screen find.