STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

HARKER AND LODGE CO-STARRED. “Lightning Conductor,” a new attraction, co-starring Gordon Harker and' John Lodge, which will be finally shown tonight at the State Theatre, has an enthralling central theme which revolves around the unscrupulous efforts of a foreign spy ring to obtain the key plans for the balloon barrage over London. There will be no pictures tomorrow (Anzac Day). ! “HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE.” A great human drama of today that will stir the happiest memories of a thousand thrilling yesterdays is Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of “Hollywood Cavalcade,” which comes to the State Theatre on Friday, starring Alice Faye and Don Ameche and photographed in glorious technicolour. The romance of Hollywood from bathing beauties to world premieres staged anew, this magnificent picture tells in thrilling and highly entertaining fashion the story of Mike, a “prop” boy, consumed with the desire to make pictures, and Molly, who wanted only to be loved by Mike, but who was swept along to greatness on the screen. Those memorable Mack Sennett bathing beauties stroll again beside Castle Rock and Santa Monica beach, but this time lovely Alice Faye is one of their number. Buster Keaton, Ben Turpin, Chester Conklin and those inimitable Keystone Cops cavort again in slapstick, custard-pie comedy. Al Jolson sings again “Koi Nidre,” the song with which he electrified the world in “The Jazz Singer,” the first talking picture ever made. And Ameche. as Director Mike, recalls the great directors of bygone days as he strides about his gigantic sets in riding togs and puttees, carrying a huge megaphone with his name painted on it, directing a lavish Babylonian feast with hundreds of dress extras. Alice Faye is more beautiful and effective than ever in her technicolour debut and also her first straight dramatic role as Molly, and Don Ameche is splendid as Mike, who forgot to tell her he loved her—until it was too late. Others who shine in the supporting cast are J. Edward Bromberg, as a composite of all Hollywood producers; Allan Curtis as the leading man--Molly marries when she despairs of winning Mike; Stuart Erwin as Mike’s demon cameraman; Jed Prouty as Chief of Police of the Keystone Cops; Buster Keaton as his pieslinging self.