REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“THE MAN FROM DAKOTA.” The final screening of this thrilling story of confederate days takes place this evening. Wallace Beery is magnificent in the leading role and is supported by a huge cast. Supporting featurettes are outstanding. “FLORIAN.” The thundering drama of the glories and collapse of an empire, against which is told a tender love story, comes tomorrow to the Regent Theatre in “Florian,” cavalcade of world turmoil, based on Felix Salten’s noted novel. The picture traces Austria’s collapse after the last World War through its effects on the lovers and a magnificent Lippizan stallion, owned iby Emperor Franz Josef. The story opens in the romantic Austria of 1910, with spectacular Imperial social affairs, reviews of the Emperor’s horses and other spectacles. Robert Young and Helen Gilbert play a groom in the Imperial Stables and a Duchess, who, through mutual love for “Florian,” the horse, find themselves in love, a romance forbidden by their difference in social station. The war, revolution, and collapse of the Hapsburg dynasty sweep away social differences as the three are reunited in America. Irina Baronova, beautiful Ballet Russe dancer, not only figures in a spectacular ballet at an Imperial reception, but plays the role of a fiery sweetheart of a grand duke, portrayed by Lee Bowman. Charles Coburn plays a faithful friend of the lovers, Reginald Owen is seen as Franz Josef and Lucile Watson plays the Countess. “Florian,” Lippizan stallion presented to the opera star Maria Jeritza by the Austrian Government, plays the title role. The supporting subjects are specially chosen to match the beauty of the picture and include a sports thrill, “Stars of Tomorrow,” a screen snapshots, a most interesting “Crime Doesn’t Pay” number, entitled “Buyer Beware,” and the latest Cinesound Gazette. Plans are at Messrs Steele and Bull’s shop and the theatre, and early booking is essential.