CAVALCADE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 638, 16 September 1933, Page 2

CAVALCADE

| HAILED AS GREATEST STORY [ PICTURISED IN RECENT j ! YEARS. ■ AT MAJESTIC ON MONDAY. Fox Film Corporation bring "Cavp^alcade" to the screen of the Majesj'tic Theatre on Monday, September 1-18. This drama whose theme is the Ifeffect of world events on the home j ['and family has been hailed as the \ jigreatest written in the English f' f'language in a score of years. The * f author, Noel Coward, known for his j 'successes, enjoyed the distinction of I 'having his play run for a solid year : at the Drury Lane Theatre in Lon!don. 1 A staff of experts was sent f rom 'Hollywood to see the play and to photograph it for ref erence. Another 1 large staff was put to work on the Iresearch necessary to bring a story 'that covers the colourful period from 1900 to 1933 to the screen with absolute accuracy of costumes, equipment and historical backgrounds. More tban six months of preparaation by a staff that numbered 200 ■preceded the actual start of production. Captain Reginald C. Berkeley, distinguished English playwright,

'was brought over from London to adapt the play for the screen. Frank Lloyd, twice winner of the Academy award for the best production of the year, was chosen as director. Wide Hunt For Actors. Hollywood, New York and London . were scoured for the very best actors and actresses fitted by education, 'training and experience to interpret 'the 40 principal roles. Three memhers of the original Drury Lane cast were brought from London to re-en-aet their parts before the camera, and two other London favourites were also signed for leading roles. A nine-week shooting schedule was /arranged, one of the longest in Hollywood's history since the screen learni ed to talk.

In addition to the large cast of principals, thousands of extras found employment in the colourful sequenc•es which include a number of dramatic and historic episodes and a ■graphic presentation of a cross-sec-tion of modern day life. The story of "Cavalcade" is the story of the Marryot family, Jane, Robert; their two sons, Joe and Edward; and their servants, Ellen, ^Bridges and their daughter, Fanny. While it is etched on.a background of historical events of the last 33 years, the story itself is the principal feature of "Cavalcade." The family — its joys, loves and tragedies — is always uppermost. Its theme is universal. We II- Known Players Cast. ' Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook have the roles of Jane and Robert '.Marryot; Ursula Jeans plays Fanny 'Bridges; Herbert Mundin is seen as 'Bridges; Una O'Connor portrays the ,xole of Ellen; Irene Browne plays '•Margaret Harris; Merle Tottenham ■is seen as Annie; Erank Lawton as Joe Marryot, and John Warburton as Edward Marryot. ' Other well known players who have 'important roles are Margaret Lindsay, Beryl Mercer, Tempe Piggot, Billy Bevan, Frank Atkinson, Lionel 'Belmore, Mary Forbes and Brandon Hurst. Important child roles are enacted by Dick Henderson, Jr., Douglas Scott, Bonita Granville and Sheila MacGill. Director Lloyd, in addition to his large staff of assistants and technical advisors, had William Cameron Menzies, as director of cavalcade and wai* effects, and George Hadden as dialogue director.