REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“DARK VICTORY.” “Dark Victory,” which will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre is a beautiful and poignant performance by Bette Davis. Here is a drama of tender emotions, a deeply touching story of a man’s devotion and a woman’s affection that stands out like a mountain above the tawdry and shallow love stories that form so large a part of the romances of the motion picture world. The story and its masterly directorial presentation offer a challenge for an Academy award, and the consummate artistry of Bette Davis places her as a contender for the best acting award among the actresses. She has never done anything that approached her present role in its deeply moving emotional quality, nor created a part that flashes so brilliantly. It definitely places her among the really great actresses the screen has known. Of course she has a great part, but that does not detract from the fact that she endowed it with the living and breathing qualities of a brilliantly sensitive interpretation. Geoge Brent is a perfect foil for the outstanding performance of Bette Davis. Splendid support is given by Humphrey Bogart and Geraldine Fitzgerald. An excellent supporting programme of featurettes completes the programme. “LADY OF THE TROPICS.” On Wednesday night there will be shown a brilliant story of love and adventure entitled “Lady of the Tropics,” featuring, that outstanding moving picture team, Hedy Lamarr, Robert Taylor and Joseph Schildbraut. It is a most glamorous and much-talked-of picture and has drawn crowded houses in the cities.