STATE THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 79, 27 December 1937, Page 10

STATE THEATRE

"BIG FELLA." " Big Fella," with Paxxl Eobeson in the principal role, screens at the State Theatre to-night. "Big Fella" presents Paul Robeson as Joe, a doekside worker in Marseilles, who is called in to help trace a young boy who has mysteriously vanished from a vessel in port. It is suspeeted that the youth has been kidnapped, but police officials are unable to do anything. Joe eventually discovers the ladj who threatens to say that Joe Itidnapped him if he is taken baek t the ship. The lad, a mischievous 14-year-old, has read too many adventure stories and wants excitement. Joe realises that it wouldn't do for officials to think he had kidnapped the child, and so, with the help of Manda, a cafe singer, he looks after him, only to have the child really kidnapped by a wharf loiterer who wants the reward. The story builds up to an effective climax, leaving one with the impression of having seen a thoroughly enjoyable, liuman film, filled with haunting melody axxd acted by an entirely capable cast. Robeson sings six songs ixx tlxe film. These range from the lighter number in which he captures such lightness of touch, to the serious songs which characterise his dramatic powers. Among these numbers, which were composed by Eric Ansell, are "Lazin," "River Steals Ma Folks From Me." "You Didn't Oughta Do Such Things," and "I Got a Kobe." These will assuredly become big hits.