REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“LADY OF THE TROPICS.” Robert Taylor and Hedy Lamarr, one of the most talked-about women in motion pictures today, are an outstanding team in “Lady of the Tropics,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre tonight. For these stars a love story was chosen that has been considered as ideal for their respective abilities, with Taylor seen as a young American adventurer and Miss Lamarr as a mysterious beauty of the East. The setting of the story, written especially for the new team by Ben Hechl. takes place in the heart of the Orient, where wanderers of all races, irrespective of caste, meet and mingle, seek love and sometimes die. As the love between Taylor and Miss Lamarr progresses, it takes them to the colourful harbour of Saigon, the “Paris of the East.” along its teeming river docks, into the interesting quarters of the natives, their cafes and shops. Settings faithful to the country also include the more fashionable cafes, hotels and government buildings where mixed society meets, from whence the interest the two leading characters hold for each other ripens within the mystifying ruins of the great enigmatic temple of Angkor Wat, shrine of-a forgotten race only recently torn out of the jungle by French explorers. Against lavish Oriental settings, “Lady oi the Tropics” presents Miss Lamarr with an ideal picture for her unusual talents and exotic beauty. Through the tensely dramatic story are woven the mysticism and intrigue of the Orient against a background of an Indo-Chin-ese city, jungle rivers in the moonlight, ancient Cambodian temples, pageantry and adventurous intrigue. It is certainly a picture to be remembered. Supporting featurettes include the latest newsreel of European events, a Popeye cartoon and an outstanding item in the “Merry Wives of Windsor” overture by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The plans are at Nimmo’s and the Theatre, and early booking is essential. "BEAU GESTE.” The programme at the Regent Theatre tomorrow will be headed by “Beau Geste,” the new and spectacular production of P. C. Wren's famous story, which is considered by many keen judges to be the greatest adventure romance ever filmed. "Beau Geste” is as grand a picture as the screen might ever offer. . . . The story, it will be remembered, commences with the three boys who appear to have stolen, yet not to have stolen, a gem from their benefactress. They join the Foreign Legion. What happens to them then is the essence of Wren’s story. In the picture Gary Cooper takes the part of Beau Geste, Ray Milland is cast as John and Robert Preston is Digby.