Known to English cinemas as the "Tudor Rose" the historical film, "Nine Days a Queen," has long been promised to Shanghai. It now appears that itis due shortly to be seen at! the Cathay Theatre. Although in these cays) the cinemas naturally incline toward lighthearted entertainments the management of the Cathay will, no doubt, reap the full fruits of ils enterprise in screening so _well-commended. a film. The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey on whose unwilling shoulders the burden of queenly responsibility was for a short. time imposed vividly illustrates the development of the constitutional position of the Crown in England under the pressure of a powerful and assertive aristocracy. "Many historical person ages have, as the years passed, been subjected to a critical scrutiny which has often. reversed carlier judgments either in their favour or against them. Of the character of Lady Jane Grey there has never been any divergence of view. A modest, well-educated and Jntelligent young girl who' almost melted the hard "hearts of "her bitter foes, she was as much a martyr to the savagery of her time os" was, that earlier if, more force ful heroine, St. Joan of Are. "The film has. been so Jong in' Shanghai that it is permissible to. disclose the fact that it has beer uvately by cinema patrons who unani five it high praise on all points—casting, acting, Photography and production. Moreover it takes very few liberties with history. Its most striking departure from fact derives from one of these dramatic exigencies of which playwright from Shakespeare downwards, have legitimate: ly made use. Historically it' will' be recalled that Mary T originally decided to spare Jane's life and she ordered the execution only. with the greatest reluctance when a second rising of Jane's imprudent supporters reinforced "the view that the security of the Throne demanded, the luckless girl's elimination. The lin omits the clemency and carries the narrative straight to the fatal decision which is conveyed in a Beautifully acted scene between the mature and unhappy Mary and her winsome and courtageous prisoner in the Tower. Those who take Steps to see this cinema will be well satisfied
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.