STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1938, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

RECORD BREAKING PICTURE. The gay, dignified swish of peerage and its a crash in a middle-European change offers a delightfully exciting theme for “The Baroness and the Butler,” which is showing at the State Theatre. This Darryl F. Zanuck production for 20th Century-Fox costars William Powell and Annabella in a blithe screen version of the stage hit that had half of Europe agog. Annabella, in her first American-made picture, believes butlers are born to obey . . . but debonair Bill obeys such uh-butler-like impulses. This film has the tone and flavour of an old regime —years of tradition and generations of escutcheon worship—suddenly confronted with a blue bloods’ dilemna if which the self-effacing butler emerges from his cocoon to assume social equality with his noble employers. Powell, at his sauve best, tries to save the Count’s family from the’ blow of learning that he has been elected to Parliament on the Socialist-Progressive ticket. By his very actions he brings down charges of impoliteness, fraud and trickery on his head. Annabella and a brilliant cast, gives movie fans a treat, long to be remembered. Powell never was better. The supporting cast features Helen Westley, Henry Stephenson, Joseph Schildkraut, J. Edward Bromberg, Nigel Bruce and Lynn Bari.