REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

I “THE BEACHCOMBER.” Charles Laughton, whose film characterisations have ranged, from Nero hi | "Sign of the Cross,” through the role I of the ribald, robust king in “Henry the i VIII,” to Captain Bligh in “Mutiny on the Bounty,” delineates a new and entirely different —but definitely “Laughton” —character in his latest picture, “The Beachcomber,” which will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre. Laughton is seen as "Ginger Ted,” i English-born “remittance man” and beachcomber, loafing his life away on a tiny island. As Laughton portrays him, “Ginger” is a man who is at odds with the scheme of things in this quasitropical civilisation. He resents efforts on the part of the authorities to restrain his addiction to drink, and his | desire to make friends with the native girls. Despondent at times, in other moments roisterous, occasionally showing an inkling of the qualities of a gentleman, “Ginger” is a character which only Laughton could create, with such consummate artistry. As the picture develops, “Ginger” finds himself confronted with a new and different “menace” —a woman who seeks to reform him. It’s one Miss Jones, a missionary, played in “The Beachcomber” by Charles Laughton’s wife, Elsa Lanchester. “Ginger” resents her; he is furious at her —and she despises him. Their two characters are poles I apart—-yet subtly each begins to feel | the impact of the other’s personality. Amazingly and believably, the narra-

tive goes forward to a climax in which the drunken, slovenly, sullen, disreputable “Ginger” is changed for the better as a result of the influence of Miss Jones who is herself humanised in the process. W. Somerset Maughan, outstanding English author, wrote the book on which the picture is based. It is a*Mayflower picture, produced and directed in England. A superb array of featurettes include the official film of the opening of the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington. Plans are at Nimmo’s and theatre and early booking is advised.