AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1923, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

"DISH AELI" TO-NIGHT. “Disraeli’ to be seen at the Princess Theatre to-night, marks a welcome and highly important development in the movie world. It shows that clever producers and talented actors and actresses can make history ir a ' s IC wiost imaginative /lights ol fiction. It combines studies cl historical personages and of great counts in history with all the suspense and romance that attract people in thousands to picture theatres. On the face of it, it is a pretty and gripping story of love intrigue, ambition and cmpiicj but behind it there is something more substantial, something v.erth while carrying away from the theatre as well as enjoying while the pictures are on the screen. That something is a lasting impression of the amazing .Jewish politician, who fought I one of the greatest battles on record against derision and prejudice who created an Empress, and who gave to the Empire houndless possibilities. Mr Arliss studied DKraeli in order to represent him on tlm stage. It was the next step for Mr Arliss to appear in the character in front of the camera. Me showed a fragile, bent man, certainly not handsome, but shrewd, alert, self-sacrificing, undaunted and courageous. The single incident in Disraeli's political career made use of for screen purposes, the purchase of the Suez Canal shares is worked up to throw those cjualities into prominence. He is shown as a man with no misgivings—confident hut not easily “taken in” more than a match for the craftiest enemies with a way out of every difficulty. Once, and only once, when the .Tew from whom he borrows the money for the shares is bankrupt, and the money-lender's draft is worthless, the Disraeli of the pictures breaks down under the thought that ho has dishonoured the Empire, hut it is only for a few minutes. The reluctant Governor of the Bank of England is called in. and the Prime Minister, outwardly calm and confident, issuing thonts no Prime Minister could carry out. bluffs the hank into honouring the draft. In addition to the love scenes between Disraeli and I.ndy Boaeonslield, another love story has been introduced. the principals being two young English people who are associated with him in his scheme to secure the canal and extend the Empire. The film has other values and other rcaturos Hint make it well worth an hour and a. half of anybody’s time. All school children will he admitted free to-night to sec the first chapters < of “With Stanley in Africa.''