STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE LION HAS WINGS.” London Films’ “The Lion Has Wings,” showing at the State Theatre tonight, is Alexander Korda’s first great Government-sponsored produc--1 tion, and tells the story of how Britain gradually awoke to the menace of Hitlerism, the threat to the life and liberties of all Europe which the German war machine proclaimed. Produced with the co-operation of the Royal Air Force, it tells of the swift and efficient transformation of a nation devoted to the pursuits of peace into a people mightily armed to resist aggression. It contrasts in a sequence of fascinating shots the spirit of the British Empire, devoted to sport, seeking education, concerned with progress, with the spirit of Nazi Germany, drilling, marching, organising, preparing day and night for one purpose and one purpose only—war! The first episodes of; the war are brilliantly reconstructed, including actual shots of the daring raid on Kiel, and featuring the men who carried out the raid. Merle Oberon, Ralph Richardson, Flora Robson and June Duprez contribute memorable performances. “The Lion Has Wings”’is one of the most memorable screen releases brought to this country. SCUTTLING OF GRAF SPEE. A special attraction at the State Theatre on Saturday will be a British Gaumont Newsreel, 1000 feet in length, showing authentic and awe-inspiring pictures of the scuttling of the German Pocket Battleship, Graf Spee. This complete air survey shows the Graf Spee in Montivideo Harbour, the unloading of the dead and wounded German sailors, and interesting close-ups of the German commander who afterwards shot himself, rather than live with the disgrace that Herr Hitler forced upon him when he himself issued the order for the scuttling of the Graf Spee. The action shots of the scuttling are excellent and show the daring and fortitude of the cameramen who risked their lives to procure them. Explosion after explosion rent ihe air and in. a- short time the mighty four million pound enemy battleship was cn fire from end to end. Graphic breath-taking pictures show the vessel with a thick pall of black smoke hovering over her, as she slips from the sight of the thousands of people on the shore to her final resting place. To the captains and crews of the Exeter, Ajax and the Achilles must go the credit for this great naval victory. .Patrons should see for themselves the damage wrought by the British warships, and the actual scuttling and sinking of the Graf Spee. This newsreel will, be of special interest to Wairarapa audiences owing to the number of local men who participated in the engagement. Another outstanding picture will be “Here I Am A Stranger," featuring Richard Greene, Roland Young, Richard Dix, Brenda Joyce and Gladys George.