AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1923, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

“DISRAELI.” _ The now programme at the Princess Iheatro to-morrow will ho headed by a picture which has been acclaimed whereever produced as one of the big things in screen productions. This is what the ".Nfw Zealand Herald” has to say: “Disraeli” is distinctly one of the highest-class attractions among recent motion pictures. It is such films which will win followers for the .screen, in that they not only entertain, but accomplish a worthy purpose in reviving memories of great events and great men in the history of the British Empire.” Th play of “Disraeli” by Louis X. Parker, was given its first stage presentation in ]1)1|, and for nearly six years it ran continuously, in the big tities and on tour. Mr George Arliss achieved his greatest stage success in the play, and he has his old part in the picture. “Disraeli” is not an historical play in any sense. The author has given ns a charming view of the life and times of Mr Disraeli, hut the story of the play is very fanciful, and designed to show something to the prejudice of English aristocracy against the distinguished Jew. who on two occasions was appointed by Queen Victoria to he her Prime Minister. The story of “Disraeli” relates to the purchase of the Suez Canal by England as a means of defending India. The “plot” surrounds Disraeli with many spies, one of them a charming English woman, but the cleverness of the Prime Minister is shown as lie upsets all of the plans of the Russians and compels the Bank of England to hack his plan until Parliament meets and v-ios the money necessary for the pun li ise. Two parallel love stories run through the photoplay. The attachment between Disraeli and his wife, Lady Bouconsficld, is one of the great “love affairs” of nil times, and tiie .‘fti.es between Clarissa (Louise Hull) and \ isoonut. Deeford (Reginald Denny) wnl ho found to ho among the most i illum-

ing over seen on the screen. 1 Israeli” possesses a dignity (but lifts its way above the popular eonvvpti ui ol “the movies.”

The first episode of the Historical and Educational serial: “With Stanley in Africa” will also he screened, and all school children will he admitted free to the opening chapters of this fine picture.