STATE THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 13, 30 January 1937, Page 14

STATE THEATRE

fcAST MEETS WEST "East Meets West," Gaumont-Bri-bish production starring George Arliss and direeted by Herbert Mason} will be released by G-B-H at the State Theatre to-day. Here is melodrama of a robust nature, with George Arliss giving a characteristic performance as a crafty Sultan who replenished his exchequer by deft diplomacy involving Great Britain, and an Eastern power. Developed with great effect, gripping suspenso and the star's personality have combined to make a ricli offering for all Jorers of spectacle «ad drania. George

Arliss appears as the Rajahi of a tiny kingdom known as Renang, which, by virtue of its geographical position, is coveted by Great Britain for harbourage purposes. A powerful Eastern country also makes a bid for the Sultan's friendsliip, ai:d the wily pctentate ^'plays" them both until he has extracted a million pounds from each. George Arliss plays the Sultan with relish. Deftly exploiting his famous mannerisms, he succeeds in presenting a study in the ripe Arliss vein, peppering the dialogue with characteristic quips of hie own. Godfrey Tearle as the Englisli diplomat renders yeoman support, with Komney Brent making an effective foil as the representative of the Eastern power. Lucie Mannheim is the lovely wife, Ronald Ward her drunken htisband, and Ballard Berkely is a convincing princely lover. An excelent first half includes scenes at the seeond Test at Sydney, shots of the Henneberry-Richards fight, a comedy "Diamonds in the Rough," and a glorious coloured musical "The Waters of Minnetonka."