STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION. The large audience at the State Theatre on Saturday night thoroughly enjoyed one of the most brilliant pictures ever seen at that popular resort of particular picture patrons when “Intermezzo, A Love Story” was presented to them. The picture immediately appealed to those present for its high class production and acting. Ingrid Bergman, the beautiful young Continental actress, is introduced to audiences for the first time in this new David O. Selznick production, in which, she is co-starred with Leslie Howard in his first picture since "Pygmalion,” and Edna Best. This new picture is a dramatic love story set in modern-day Europe. Miss Bergman, a beauteous blonde with well-chiselled features, plays the role of the other woman. Mr Selznick assembled a cast of important names to surround the trio of stars who play the leading roles in "Intermezzo, A Love Story.” Featured in the supporting roles are John Halliday, Cecil Kellaway, Enid Bennett and Eleanor Wesselhocft. This outstanding picture will be finally shown tonight. The supporting programme contains another of that outstanding “March of Time” series, as well as several pictures much above the average, abounding in interest, instruction and enjoyment, the audience leaving the theatre well pleased with the excellent bill of fare presented to them. "WAY DOWN SOUTH." Bringing to the screen with abundant colour a segment of life in the old South little known to presentday audiences, ‘‘Way Down South,” with Bobby Breen as its star, will open at the State Theatre tomorrow night. The story, laid in Louisiana’s bayou country, is richly endowed with entertainment value. Beloved old spiritual and traditional songs of the pre-Civil War era combine with the staging of traditional dance festivals to make the picture a melodic triumph. Its plot carries much human interest with its tale of a lad whose heart goes out to those less fortunate that he and his stout efforts to maintain on his vast plantation the happiness and peace which are the heritage of its slaves. The supporting cast includes many favourite film personalities. Alan Mowbray has an amusing role as the proprietor of a New Orleans inn and Ralph Morgan, as Bob’s father, reportedly, gives another of his fine characterisations. Steffi Duna has the role of a seductive French actress, while Sally Blane appears as Mowbray’s sympathetic wife. Clarence Muse is the faithful old servant, “Uncle Caton,” and other performers include Charles Middleton, Robert Greig and Stymie Beard. Bobby’s singing has been augmented by the famous Hall Johnson choir of fifty voices.