STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“TIME OUT FOR MURDER.” The current programme at the State Theatre headed by “Time Out For Murder” and “Meet the Girls,” will be finally shown tonight. “SUEZ,” A SPECTACULAR . / PICTURE. Tomorrow night's bill of fare at the State Theatre will contain that outstanding picture “Suez,” which hbs drawn record houses throughout New Zealand. Some of the most amazifig scenes ever brought to the screen appear in this spectacular production. The film is a stirring tribute to the courage and skill of the great French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps who, in the face of every type of opposition, carried through his project to join the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and thus provide a short route to the East. The building of the canal was one of the greatest engineering feats of last century and only a man with the vision and will-power of de Lesseps would have attempted it. Spectacular scenes and splendid acting by the principal players make this film a first-class entertainment. The role of de Lesseps is played by Tyrone Power,' while the leading feminine parts are in the capable hands of Loretta Young and the attractive French actress Annabella. The story opens with de Lesseps, a young officer in the French diplomatic service, falling in love with the beautiful Countess Eugenie.-' He is sent to Egypt on a mission and in Alexandria meets Toni Pellerin, the daughter of a French officer. She falls in love with the young diplomat and, masquerading as an Arab, accompanies him into the desert. While riding through the desert with Toni, de Lesseps is struck by the significance of two bodies of water being joined by an overflow stream from one to the other. He envisions what it would mean if a canal were to be dug connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas and providing a short trade route to the East. Inspired by his dream of severing two continents and uniting two worlds, de Lesseps wins the support of Mohammed Ali and the Egyptian Government, provided he can obtain the financial backing of France. The Countess Eugenie has, in the meantime, married Louis Napoleon, and she obtains financial support for his project. He returns to Egypt and works incessantly until the canal is but 10 miles from completion. He then learns that the French Government has aban- , doned his scheme and, added to this, a black simoon approaches and leaves behind a trail of devastation. In despair he is prepared to give in, when incredible news comes that the British Government, led by Disraeli, will give him financial aid. The supporting players in the film include J. Edward Bromberg, Joseph Schildkraut and Henry Stephenson.