STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

I STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE. I A SPECTACULAR PICTURE. Away back in 1869, a noted explorer Dr David Livingstone was lost sight of in Africa and word went forth that he was dead. For some two years he disappeared altogether, and it was not till 1871 that he was discovered at a place called Ujiji in the wilds of Africa under thrilling circumstances by a 'young reporter who had been sent out to search for him. This journalist was H. M. Stanley who later became as I great an African explorer as LivingI stone. Stanley, whose real name was John Rowland, was born in England, and when 17 years of age went to America, obtaining employment with a Mr H. M. Stanley, whose name he afterwards assumed. He became a journalist. Both Stanley and Livingstone commenced their lives in hum- ' ble circumstances, Livingstone working in a cotton mill when 10 years old. “Find Livingstone!” Exactly 70 years ago, James Gordon Bennett said these words to one of his reporters, Henry M. Stanley. It was apparently the most hopeless assignment in all journalism. No one but a mad man would brave the terrors of unknown Africa to hunt for a missionary-explor-er from whom no word had come in two years. How Stanley found Livingstone, how the world called him “the most colossal liar of his age” and how he later became the greatest hero, of his era, is the story of “Stanley and Livingstone.” The film shows Stanley first as he was in 1869, a reporter of bulldog tenacity who willingly risked his neck to get his story. It follows him through all the thrills and dangers of his great adventure, and shows with great dramatic force the influence on his character and his whole life of his | meeting and subsequent friendship I with the great missionary-explorer, I who had buried himself in the black ' heart of unknown Africa to serve humanity. For when Livingstone died at Chitambo’s village, south of Lake Bangweolo. in 1873, young Stanley picked up the torch and became one of the greatest men of his day. Spencer Tracy gives a masterful portrayal of Stanley, it being probably the greatest character presentation of his career. The chief romantic interest of the story is carried by Nancy Kelly, as the lovely daughter of the English consular agent at Zanzibar, and Richard Greene as the son of Lord Tyco, who had just I; returned, fever-racked, from a similar but unsuccessful expedition. Walter Brennan is grand as the old Indian scout who accompanies Stanley; Charles Coburn is splendid as Lord Tyce, the pompous publisher of the London “Globe”; Sir Cedrick Hardwicke offers truly great portrayal of Dr Livingstone; Henry Hull brings James Gor-' don Bennett back to vivid life, and Henry Travers is superb as the English consular agent whom Africa has aged before his time. 1