STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 August 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“REBECCA.” Another large audience was recorded at the State Theatre last night to witness the screening of the great picture “Rebecca,” which will be finally shown tonight. The picture dealt in a telling manner with a most universal subject, and held the deep attention of patrons throughout. It is a picture which has everything to recommend it and should not be missed by those who appreciate, the best in cinema presentations. Laurence Olivier, who last year made a tremendous hit as the hero of “Wuthering Heights,” plays the role of Maxim de Winter, the socially prominent owner of Manderley, the vast Tudor estate ’ where most of the action unwinds. To this house he brings his second wife, played by Miss Fontaine, a shy and unsophisticated person who can hardly be compared to the glittering and brilliant former mistress of Manderley, Rebecca, now dead. But though Rebecca is dead, her forceful personality and dramatic beauty still continue to dominate Manderley and to haunt the lives of those who wander through its immense, rooms. The memory of Rebecca is kept alive by Mrs Danvers, de Winter’s housekeeper, played by Judith Anderson, the brilliant Australian actress, who has visited New Zealand with various companies. Mrs Danvers resents the second Mrs de Winter and does everything in her power to harrow her. After an elaborate ball given at Manderley. the story moves swiftly to a sensational climax, stunning in its surprise, and terrifying in its impact. Because of the emotional intensity required for one scene, Producer Selznick and Director Hitchcock ordered that the stars be given complete privacy while it was filmed. The scene lasts about eight minutes on the screen, but because of the care exercised during its filming, it required three days to complete. The nature of the great climax is not revealed as it is considered that a revelation of the plot would detract from the enjoyment of the film. George Sanders as Jack Favell, Nigel Bruce, C. Aubrey Smith, Reginald Denny and Gladys Cooper are other important players. The picture moves with telling and engrossing swiftness from its initial scene to the final fadeout.

The excellent supports contained a topical “March of Time,” dealing with the Hitler-Stalin alliance.