REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1941, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“CHRISTMAS IN JULY.” The delightful story. “Christmas in July," will be finally shown tonight. “ESCAPE.” The change of programme at the Regent Theatre tomorrow will be headed by “Escape,” an outstanding picture of particular interest today. A film which has three leading players such as Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor, and Conrad Veldt in the cast, is bound to be of interest for its acting value alone. But along with this cast, “Escape" has an excellent story. A personality of more than usual interest is Nazimova, a star of the silent screen, who is now making a "come-back’ which should place her in the forefront of character actors. “Escape” is a story of Nazi Germany in 1936. The opening scenes are filmed inside a concentration camp in the Bavarian Alps, where Emmy Ritter, once famous actress, and now a prisoner of the Reich, is being saved by the camp doctor from an illness, only to appear before a firing squad. Emmy, a creature of definite opinions, had spoken too freely of her feelings toward the regime, and as the regime did not like it, she was sentenced to death. Anxious about his mother's long absence from her adopted country, America, her son. Mark Preyser, visits the Reich to try to find information about her. After many rebuffs Preyser finally traces his mother to the concentration camp. From here onwards the picture takes a sensational turn. This film, carries a I good suspense atmosphere, and is convincing in all its scenes. Norma Shearer, of course, takes the part of the part of the countess. Robert Taylor is Mark, Nazimova is the mother, and Conrad Veidt as the general, has a part which fits him like the proverbial glove.