“VICTORIA THE GREAT”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1938, Page 2

“VICTORIA THE GREAT”

SHOWN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND CANBERRA. KEENEST ENTHUSIASM EVINCED. The first shot in the elaborately planned campaign for RKO-Radio’s big release, “Victoria the Great,” was fired last week with a screening at the Civic Theatre, Canberra. Carefully handled for some weeks prior to the actual screening, the picture drew the very cream of the political fraternity to the theatre. No better time could have been arranged for the presentation than the date decided upon —Wednesday, December I—because1 —because there were gathered together in Canberra all the most important Government heads, Cabinet Ministers, and high dignitaries of the Crown —all on State and Federal duties. RKO was strongly represented in the person of Ralph R. Doyle, Managing Director; Doug Lotherington, General Sales Manager; R. Brauer, Secretary, and Tom Walcot, N.S.W. Manager —ajl of whom travelled down especially to be present on the important occasion. Outside the theatre they were besieged and plied with questions relevant to the picture. The interest was indeed remarkable, and many were heard to say that they hoped to have the pleasure of seeing “Victoria” again. It would be impossible here to list those present; but notable among the invitees were: —His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Gowrie); Sir Geoffrey Granville Whiskard, K.C.M.G., C. 8., the Rt Hon J. A. Lyons, C.H., M.P., Sir Robert Garran, K.C.M.G., M.A., Sir William Clemens,

C.M.G., 1.5.0., Sir Harry Sheehan, C.8.E., Sen. the Hon Sir Walter Mas-sey-Greene, K.C.M.G., Sen. the Rt Hon Sir George Foster Pearce, P.C., K.C.V.0., the Hon R. G. Casey, D.S.A., M.C., M.P., the Hon Sir Henry Gullet, K.C.M.G., M.P., the Rt Hon William Morris Hughes, K.C., M.P., the Hon Sir Charles Marr, K.C.V.0., D. 5.0., M.C., V.D., M.P., the Rt Hon Earle C. G. Page, M.P., the Rt Hon James BL Cullin, M.P., the Hon Sir Frederick Stewart, M.P., and many others. COMMAND PERFORMANCE. The second brilliant function in the chain of historic incidents was the Command Performance at Government House on December 6. This screening, at the request of the State Governor (Lord Wakehourst), was another glittering function at which were present over 300 guests, all by personal invitation of his Excellency, who is a recognised picture fan. Strong recommendation to see this remarkable film had been conveyed t(J his Excellency from friends in England, and it was due to his keenness to view it for himself that this performance was made -possible. REMARKABLE PICTURE. Such fine tributes as have been —and are still being—paid “Victoria the Great” are indeed gratifying to RKO and its chief executives. It is not hard to discover the reason for the success and pageantry surrounding the film, as Victoria’s reign was one of the most glorious in British history, and one well within living memory, which has been refreshed and revitalised by recent events in England such as the Coronation.