MR. GEORGE ARLISS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1015, 4 July 1930, Page 17

MR. GEORGE ARLISS

“THE GREEN GODDESS” AT MAJESTIC | * FINE CHARACTER ACTING George Arliss—what need to j introduce him to Auckland! Even while the “sly” charm of his voice lingers from “Disraeli” he comes again, this time in a talking version of the famous stage presentation, “The Green Goddess,” which began a season at the Majestic Theatre last evening. QAST in a very different role, Mr. Arliss is himself, witty, sophisticated, urbane—the prince of actors. He climbs to heights no other has achieved in the kind of part he fills in “The Green Goddess.” Here Is a melodrama immense with thrills, humour, ringing climaxes of tragedy and_ liLiman interest. W illiam Archer’s play, produced incidentally in reply to a taunt that a • stage critic could not himself write a j play and make it go. was one of Mr. ; Arliss s greatest stage successes. \\ ould he lose caste in attempting a talking picture transfer of a show that had assisted to make him? . * or answer see and hear the man in the screen version. If the stage impression of “The Green Goddess” was strikingly successful, then the picture, is doubly so: .F. depth and the height possible in cinema photography have gone into the building of the picture by v itaphone. As a talkie “The Green * * s lawless, as a spectacle well done. For graphic, smart entertainment, the Majestic’s offering has had few bearing comparisons. The story? To say it intrigues is mellowed comment. Bet in unknown India, in Himalayan fastnesses, the ■ plot lias to do with two Englishmen j and a woman stranded in the wilds j of the hills when tlieir plane crashed at the mercy of a band of tribesmen and their cruel rajah—the Rajali of Jwukh, Mr. Arliss, no other. He rules his savage people, remote from the world. They are fanatics, but not lie. It happens that at the hour the lost wanderers tumble from the clouds to the abode of the Rajah of Rukh his three brothers have been apprehended in India for murder, and are to die. Charmingly the rajah extends hospitality, the while preparing a propitiarv ’ sacrifice to the green goddess. He sees an opportunity to wipe off part of a debt he fancies is owing by the “lords of creation.” Thereafter is swift action, with Mr. Arliss arrayed in alternate charm and devilish cunning. AV ithout Mr. Arliss the picture is a picture. It is sheer melodrama, as of course is its purpose. There is the j usual clashing of symbols, booming of gongs as the death hour approaches, opening of massive doors in incensesaturated temples, cringing slaves, shaven high priests—the paraphernalia apparently inseparable from Oriental mysticism a la cinema. But Mr. Arliss! His character delineation held the crowded Majestic. Playing with him are Alice Joyce as Mrs. Crespin. and she does her emotional work well, H. B. AVarner as Major Crespin. who dies in transmitting Morse advice of his companions’ impending doom, and Dr. Traherne, an amateur airman, played by Ralph Forbes. The voices are fresh, no splutter or twang intruding. “The Green Goddess,” through Air. Arliss, merits a lengthened season. i The supports are above the average. There is the life story of the honey bee, newspaper news reel, a pleasant comedy, “Sympathy.” and a bracket of songs by Madame Frances Alda. There are 2,000 regular employees ; at the Paramount studios in Hollywood, I exclusive of actors. j A'ietor Schertzinger. v.-ho directed I Charles (Buddy) Rogers in his recently j completed musical film. “Safety in j Numbers,” will again handle the star in “Heads Up,” a new mhsieale shortly | to go into production.