"JUAREZ"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 5

"JUAREZ"

MAGNIFICENT HISTORICAL DRAMA In accordance with its policy of showing top-flight films, the Regent Theatre management has secured, as its next feature attraction, opening to-day, " Juarez," the magnificent historical film, starring Paul Muni and Bette Davis Over a year in the making, this film has been unanimously acclaimed by critics and others who witnessed its recent world premiere at the Hollywood Theatre. Around Muni and Bette Davis a breath-takingly brilliant cast of famous names had been assembled. Brian Aherne for Maxmilian, Gale Sondergaard for the Empress Eugenie, Claude Rains for Napoleon 111 Donald Crisp for Marechal Bazaine, John Garfield for Porfirio Diaz. Gilbert Roland for Colonel Lopez, Joseph Calleia for Uradi, the traitor—on and on through the 50 principal parts required tn tell the story. Director William Dieterle filmed more than 250 tests during the month before the picture started to assemble this handpicked group of actors. He wanted more than just acting ability. Each player had to resemble the historic figure lie or she was to portray as closely as nature and the make-up department could contrive it. In Muni's case it meant weeks of preparation, a lengthy trip to Mexico, an exhaustive studv of photographs, busts life masks, and old records available in the National Museum in Mexico City Perc Westmore, head of the Warner Bros make-up department, and Hollywood's wonder worker in the craft, finally, labouring with Mum, accomplished the perfect result The same care was given Bette Davis transformation into the lovely and fragile Empress Carlotta. 23-year-old, ravenhaired daughter of the Belgian king Nothing about her face was touched except a slightly smiling cupid's bow at the lips But her hair was completely transformed During those last few months of final tests and casting, all other departments of the huge studio hummed with the, activity of preparation necessary to a picture of such magnificent scale.