REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“SON OF FRANKENSTEIN.” At the Regent Theatre on Saturday evening, “Son of Frankenstein” commenced a screening extending until tomorrow night. Picture patrons who appreciate a thrilling drama were given a full measure of this type of picture’. Boris Karloff acted excellently in his usual “monster” role. Other honours go to Basil Rathbone, as Baron Wolf, von Frankenstein, a young scientist torn between love of his wife and son and scientific fervour for his experiments, and Lionel Atwill for his sterling performance as a militant police inspector, “whO' might have become a general if his right arm had not been torn from its sockets when a child by the hair-raising monster.” His intense hate of the monster and its creator was placated by Frankenstein’s wife, splendidly enacted by Josephine Hutchinson, and her son, Donnie Duggan, a little fearless four-year-old, who endeared himself to the audience with his delightful naturalness. Bela Lugosi, who has an entirely different role from his usual characterisations, takes the part of Igor, a goulish body-snatcher, who has absolute control over the monster. Edgar .Norton, as the family butler, acquits himself well. The story opens with the return of Baron von Frankenstein to his ancestral castle after a period of 25 years as stipulated in his father’s will. The terror-ridden populace see the'return of the experiments' carried out by his father, anti give him a cold welcome. While searching his father’s laboratory Frankenstein meets Igor, and is conducted down into the family crypt, where the monster, who has been ill for some time lies. Frankenstein carries out electrical experiments, but the super-hu-man monster lapses into a coma. While Frankenstein is away Igor revives the monster, and after dark sends him out “hunting” his enemies. By sounding a mournful horn Igor directs him back home. The picture from then on works up from climax to climax, in dramatic, eerie and chilling situations. An excellent first half includes a splendid New Zealand Movielogue, a Kent pictorial and ne ware,els of great interest. t