STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 May 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE HUNCHBACK OF 'NOTRE DAME.”

Magnificent, awe-inspiring, amazingly impressive and eye-dazzling! These words best describe “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which will be finally shown at the State Theatre tonight. A remarkable and convincing achievement in every department from basic idea to actual performance, “The Hunchback” can safely be hailed as one of the most spectacular motion pictures Hollywood has produced in the last decade, and it ranks with the screen’s greatest films. Vastly superior in every respect to past efforts to interpret the spacious and melodramatic Victor Hugo thriller, the current version is a personal triumph for Charles Laughton, whose characterisation of the crippled cathedral bell-ringer is without question his crowning contribution to the screen. Equally notable is his superb support, including a host of stage and screen celebrities —Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Thomas Mitchell, Maureen O’Hara, Edmond O’Brien, Alan Marshal, Walter Hampden and Katharine Alexander. Simple in the telling but breath-tak-ingly powerful on the screen, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a grim story of loyalty and sacrifice and love, moving swiftly in impressive style against its vast panorama of medieval settings and characters astir with primitive emotions.

“DOUBLE CRIME IN THE MAGINOT LINE.’ ’

Tomorrow night there will be presented at the State Theatre that sensational picture, “Double Crime in the Maginot Line,” telling the story of a German spy. The picture was actually filmed in the Maginot Line itself by a French company. The stars in the picture are Victor Franceu and Vera Korene.

The supporting feature will be “The Marines Fly High,” a story of a fighting legion.