MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1016, 5 July 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE GREEN GODDESS” Gfeorge Arliss makes his second Warner Bros, talkie in “The Green Goddess,” and the selection of this story for the occasion was a happy one. This exciting melodrama was one of Mr. Arliss's greatest stage hits. He played it for three years in New York, one year in London and then made a silent screen version that put him in the front tank of film stars. And now there is this brilliant talkie. The story is lull of delicious humour and tense drama. Where could one find the equal of George Arliss us t-he Hast Indian potentate who acquired all the civilised manners and suave sophistiI cation of an English gentleman, but I who in his heart hated the civilised I people? | Mr. Arliss receives splendid support from the leading members of the cast. Alice Joyce is capable and beautiful as the harassed heroine. 11. li. Warner, one of the finest actors of the screen, brings force to the role of Major Crespin, even though it is an unsympathetic one. Ralph Forbes, favourite of the stage as well as the screen, is fine. Again we have .Nigel de Urulier. an j unusual character actor, in one of ! those weird roles for which he Is lamThe story tells of a group of English people stranded in the wilds of the Himalayas and completely at the mercy of a tribe of uncivilised idol worshippers and their cruel Rajah. The Rajah entertains them lavishly and with great charm, even while he prepares them lor a tortuous death. These ! events lead to a climax that is a great , bit of melodrama. The enormous sets are beautiful and form a realistic background for the : story. Alfred E. Green directed most j capably. The chief item on the entertaining | supporting programme is a bracket of songs by Madame Frances Alda, the j New Zealand prima donna. There is i also a comedy, a sound gazette and an i educational item.