REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“JEZEBEL.” “Jezebel,” a colourful and exciting romantic drama of the South of the U.S.A., shortly before the Civil War, will be the feature attraction. tonight at the Regent Theatre. Bette Davis is co-starred with Henry Fonda. George Brent and Margaret Lindsay. Other noted and popular players in the cast include Fay Bainter, Donald Crisp; Richard Cromwell, Henry O'Neill, John Litel and Spring Byington. Miss Davis, who won the Academy Award as the best actress in 1935, declares that this is the best picture part she has ever had, not excluding her great work as the slavery in “Of Human Bondage” with Leslie Howard. She is a wilful, spoiled, tempestuous young Dixie belle who achieves the name of the wicked Biblical character Jezebel because she defies Southern tradition. She breaks hearts with dashing unconcern. She smokes, she prefers juleps to sherry—in short she’s a modern miss in an oldfashioned setting. She has two favourite suitors, one a conservative young banker, played by Fonda, and the other, a handsome young rake, portrayed by Brent. The period is that of the great yellow fever scourge in New Orleans in the early 1850’s. Costumes, settings, dialogue and all the other atmospheric conditions of the day are said to be faithfully reproduced. Previewers consider ’’Jezebel" outstanding in 1939 entertainment. "FOUR JUST MEN."

“The Four Just Men,” the powerful Capad drama which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday, was made for a definite purpose. First, it exposes the spy menace in our midst. And today, when the activity of spies is on everyone’s lips—when sensational stories of their secret endeavours daily headline rhe news, this stirring story is of particular interest. Secondly, these four courageous men are presented as symbols of the manhood of the nation, and when they discover a sinister plot to smash the British Empire and place world domination in one man’s hands, they act as would any true Britisher in similar circumstances. And so that no self-glorification be permitted to detract from the commendable motive behind the story—the names of the players in the title roles are not revealed —al their own request,