“DISRAELI”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 970, 13 May 1930, Page 15

“DISRAELI”

AT ST. JAMES ON FRIDAY Auckland theatregoers are looking forward with keen interest to hearing and seeing Georg© Arliss, the great English actor, in the wonder all-talking photo-play, “Disraeli,” which will make the premiere opening for the talkies at the St. James on Friday next. “Disraeli” is a Warner Bros-, and Vitaphono super-production, produced with great care, and under the expert supervision of several noted historians. It is a picture of dramatic power, and has been listed as one of the finest products of the talking screen. The story deals with one of the most, exciting and melodramatic episodes of Disraeli’s careei\ This great statesman had the eyes of the world on him when he succeeded in acquiring the control of the Suez Canal for Britain, and it is around this particular bit of political sagacity that the story of the picture is woven. Running through this plot of diplomacy is a charming love story carried by Anthony Bushell and Joan Bennc.tt. Florence Arliss, the star’s wife, plays the lead opposite him as Beaconsfield. The all-English cast supporting Arliss is an excellent one, including in addition to the players mentioned above such popular names as David Torrence, Ivan Simpson, and Doris Lloyd. The story of. the play wa,s adapted for the screen by Julian Josephson, who has many fine scenarios to his credit, and in “Disraeli,” his latest, he has skilfully transferred every ounce of dramatic value contained in the original script. Christian J. Frank, one of the giant royal hangmen in “The Vagabond King,” plays a sinister menacing role in “Let’s Go Native,” Paramount’s recently completed musical comedy featuring Jeanette MacDonald.