“ROMEO AND JULIET”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 450, 4 June 1937, Page 8

“ROMEO AND JULIET”

THE PICTURE OF THE YEAR i Marvellous Attraction at The Plaza When one is asked to choose the picture thiat proved most satisfying In all the year, one pauses. When asked what is th e best picture one has ever seen, there should be a much longer pause. Many fine, even splendid, productions come crowding to the mind. Andi yet, after seeing “Romeo and Juliet, as th e writer has seen it in London, the hesitation is not prolonged. In this writer’s oinion, this is l the most beautiful film which Was come from the screen, It is unnecessary to say that it has one of the most exquisite love stories ever written for its foundation; it Was beauty and purity of dialogue.

The actual production, however, the human element, has proved so absolutely worthy of Shakespeare Norma Shearer’s' diction matches in excellence that of Leslie rfbward, John Plarrymore, Basil Rathbone, and C. Aubrey Smith, and she succeeds (through sheer devotion to the part, through the girlish innocence with which she clothes her adorable Juliet.

It would be almost impossible to imagine anything finer than Barrymore in the death scen e of Mercutio. Here is not one atom of over-empha-sis; the gay spirit goes gaily—grandly, in fact. Howard’s Romeo grows in fascination with th e general enthralment of the Metro-Goldwyn. Mayer film.

There it' so much of movement land life, even of laughter, in this picture, which gives to the eye and the ear such true loveliness', such ineffable pathos. “It Isn’t Done” Cinesound pioneered Australian sound motion pictures in 1931 with the production of “On Our Selection,” and has continued to set the standard in local films. Now, Cinesound, continuing their world production policy, presents, in their latest release, “It Isn’t Done,” the first genuine all-star cast ever assembled in an Australian picture. And what a brilliant cast it is. Sterling favourites of stage and screen, including Cecil Kellaway, Frank Harvey, John Longden, Nellie Ferguson, Harvey Adams, Campbell Copelin and Sylvia Kellaway, together with Australia’s new star “discovery,” lovely Shirley Ann Richards, in a bright, breezy, modern comedy-romance that sweep you on the magic wings of entertainment from Australia to England. It will screen at the Plaza on Saturday of next week and the following Monday and Tuesday. Try to imagine the tun when a cheery, big-hearted Australian squatter inherits an Earldom and takes London society by s*torm, and you’li have some small idea of the delights in “It Isn’t Done.” He broke every rule in the book of etiquette, while his lovely daughter broke every male heart in the social register. “It Isn’t Dona” .... but they did it. And how you’’! enjoy it! Leading English studies co-pperated in the overseas sequences of “It Isn't Done,” which marks another giant step forward in Australian, production, with photography, settings, sound .direction, cast performances, and, above all, entertainment value measuring right

up to overseas standards. Directed by Australia’s “ace" director, Ken G. Hall, “It Isn’t Done” is ready and indeed worthy of the world’s applause! King’s Theatre. “WhitTFang” The lawless North-country, vibrant with romance and drenched with drama, once again flashes across the screen in “White Fang," Jack London’s thrill-laden sequel to his “Call of the Wild,” which is also at the King’s.

Featuring ‘an exceptional cast, headed by Michael Whalen and Jean Muir, and including Slim Summerville, Charles Winninger, the original "Cap’n Henry” of radio fame, John Carradine, Jane Darwell and Thomas Beck, “White Fang” is a stirring story of adventure ranking with the screen’s greatest outdoor dramas. Whalen, fresh from triumphant roles in "Professional Soldier” and “Th* Country Doctor,” here has hit motit ambitious part and gives promise of becoming on e of the outstanding young men of the screen Jean Muir, lovelier than ever in a setting las picturesque as her ovzn beauty, contributes a noteworthy performance while the remainder of the cast is uniformly good. Slim Summerville and Charles Winninger,, e specially, deserve mention for their hilarious comic characterisations.