REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

ROMANCE THAT SHOOK THE WORLD.

LOVE TRAGEDY OF CROWN PRINCE AND PRINCESS.

To students of history the great picture presented at the Regent The- | atre last night, “Mayerling,” made an immediate appeal recalling that sensational tragedy which startled the world away back in 1889. Telling a most romantic, yet pathetic story in which “class" in those days often barred the way to happiness to royalty where a commoner was concerned, it is a masterpiece of the screen. History is full of incidents where lives of men and women have been wrecked because it was forbidden that Royalty should marry beneath their rank, and many serious feuds and even war have eventually been brought about by a royal tragedy following a love affair. Modern history is no different to what it was hundreds of years ago in this respect. The love story of Franz Karl Joseph Rudolph, Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, produced one of the most, pathetic tragedies which have surrounded the crowned heads of Europe. To every student of history, or even to those who take but a casual interest in historical records, the terrible tragedy of 1889 when Rudolph took his own life after a romantic love affair at Mayerling. near Vienna, has always possessed a fascination. Rudolph was intellectually far above the average member of the European royal families. He took part in the publication of “Die Oesterreichisch-Un-Garische Monarchic in Wort und Bild” in 1886, and among many other works wrote “Eine Orientreise” in 1884 and “Funfzehn Tage Auf Der Donau” in 1885, being then only 27 years of age. Transferred to the screen, the world-famous love story of Rudolph and Countess Vetsera has been a triumph which has earned world fame. Magnificently produced by a French company, it provides a picture which Hollywood could with advantage copy in many respects. It is a story presented on the most elaborate and authentic lines, making one of the finest dramatic entertainments ever brought to the public. Every moment of the brilliant production was full of interest, and it is a picture no lover of highclass drama can afford to miss. Charles Boyer in the leading role is outstanding in the greatest piece of acting he has ever provided on the screen, and he is most ably supported by Danielle Darrieux, who scores a triumph in the part of Countess Vetsera. Both of these brilliant artists thrilled the audience with their acting in that most entrancing love story of Rudolph and Mane Vetsera—the episode that astounded and stunned the world 50 years ago. There is a splendid supporting cast.

Excellent supporting featurettes complete a programme which in all respects marks a new era of entertainment. The plans are at Nimmo’s and the theatre and there is no booking fee Tne feature at the Regent Theatre tomorrow will be "Angels With Dirty J aces; a powerful human story dramatically enacted by James Cagney and Pat O’Brien. "