REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“CLOUDS OVER EUROPE." A BRILLIANT PICTURE. The Regent Theatre was packed on Saturday night when one of the greatest laughter producing pictures of all time, “Clouds Over Europe," was presented. The picture more than came up to expectations, and such polished humour has probably never before been seen on the screen. The audience was convulsed with laughter and the roars at times drowned the speakers on the screen. The outbursts of laughter were like the continual discharges of machine-guns. “Clouds Over Europe” is the standard that audiences will judge all other laughterraisers combined with thrilling adventure. The acting was clever and it was apparent that actors and actresses of outstanding ability were required to do full justice to the picture. The whole presentation was of such a high standard that no flaw could be found with it, except perhaps that sore ribs were produced as the result of continual laughter. “Clouds Over Europe” is an excellent antidote for those who at present take a gloomy outlook of life on account of the war. The title of the picture certainly does not proclaim the true identity or the outstanding merit of the film. “Clouds Over Europe” is a great triumph for Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier. The story is one of the tragic and utterly mysterious disappearances of a number of British bomber ’planes on their maiden voyages. Inevitably, an enemy nation is suspected, and a man from Scotland Yard is put on the trail of the mystery. The implications of these ’plane disappearances indicate a certain cautious approach in the solving of the puzzle. But scenarist lan Dalrymple, Director Whelan and Ralph Richardson, who plays Major Ham-, mond of Scotland Yard, managed it ' otherwise. The part of the Major was written, directed and played as a high comedy role. The redoubtable Major wields an ever-present umbrella which becomes a clever prop, in the picture. The umbrella becomes in his hands, the symbol of heavy matters lightly dealt with. The umbrella is inevitably a part of Major Hammond, and it becomes apparent that without I this weapon his mental mechanism would be seriously handicapped. Laurence Olivier, the star of “Wuthering Heights,” has another excellent role, this time in partnership with Valerie Hobson. He plays the role of an adventurous young test pilot who joins forces with Scotland Yard in seeking a new bomber which disappeared on its test flight. Several other machines disappear under similar circumstances, and the builders at last send out their crack pilot to act as a decoy. The ingenious means by which the aeroplanes have been captured is revealed, and is shown to be the work of a powerful : gang of spies. Exciting developments : follow. The crew of the captured : aeroplanes, held prisoners aboard a i vessel, attempt to gain control of the ' vessel, and there is a bitter fight. The ' great feature of the film is the part • taken by Ralph Richardson, who is < outstanding for his brilliant acting. In i “The Citadel" his performance as the i drunken doctor was one of the most s memorable features of an outstanding i film, and again in “Clouds Over Eu-lf rope," he contributes principally to the;< success of the film in a peculiarly i whimsical character. t