STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.” One of the best loved of all story classics, Johann David Wyss’ Swiss Family Robinson,” will be shown tonight at the State Theatre. The screen version is infinitely more vivid and realistic and exciting than any possible arrangement of words on paper could be. And its producers the noted screen-writing team of Gene Towne and Graham Baker, are entitled to plenty of plaudits for their skilful cinematic rendition of Wyss’ immortal book. Opening in London during the Napoleonic period when all Europe was nervous with war alarms, the story tells how William Robinson, Swiss clockmaker, sees his four boys growing up to be useless snobs, his wife interested only in her shallow social pleasures. Determined to make men of sons if it can be done, Robinson sells out his business, embarks with his rebellious wife and offspring on an Aus-tralia-bound brig and plans to build a new life. But the brig is wrecked in a storm and the Robinsons, the sole survivors, ferry themselves to a nearby tropic island along with a few barnyard animals. How the marooned sextette pit themselves successfully against the forces of nature and how the boys become self-reliant and upstanding young men while the wife eventually comes to understand her husband’s ideals, along with a brilliant series of adventures and experiences, make up the absorbing drama. A splendid cast with Thomas Mitchell and Edna Best as the parents and Freddie Bartholomew, Terry Kilburn, Tim Holt and Baby Bobby Quillan as the four youngsters, do grand work throughout. The clever direction of Edward Ludwig, the remarkable marine and. island locations and the fidelity of the film to the original, all rate hearty, praise. The management urge patrons to put “Swiss Family Robinson” on their list of pictures that must be seen.