STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“PINOCCHIO.” There was again a very large attends ance at the State Theatre last night for the presentation of “Pinocchio.” The audience was fascinated by this marvellous picture and voted it the greatest presentation of its kind ever seen on the screen. The colouring and the settings of “Pinocchio” are much more picturesque than those of “Snow White,” and the characters more fascinating, and if anything more real. For example, there is Pinocchio himself, a funny little puppet who comes to life but cannot discriminate between right and wrong. Jiminy Cricket is a gay, talkative creature, no bigger than a thumbnail, who sets upon himself the task of being Pinocchio’s conscience. Geppetto, the woodcarver, who creates Pinocchio, is a lovable old man, and because he is kind and unselfish the Blue Fairy grants his wish, Geppetto has two pets, Figaro, a fat black kitten with an impertinent face and four white paws, and Cleo, a pretty little goldfish vamp. The evildoers are all convincingly treacherous. "Pinocchio” as a story is an old childhood favourite. It was written by Carlo Collodi, and has been translated into about 200 languages and dialects. Jiming Cricket is the first character to appear, and lie tells and sings his remarkable story of the quaint old woodcarver who makes a puppet, then has a. wish before a star, and the puppet becomes alive. The Blue Fairy, who gives Pinocchio life, tells him that she has not the power to make him a real boy until he proves himself brave, unselfish, and truthful. Geppetto is overcome with joy when he hears Pinocchio talk, and sees him move, but trouble begins the next day when he sends Pinocchio'off to school. Unable to resist temptation, the wooden boy meets one misfortune after another, and life for the poor little fellow becomes a frightening affair. Geppetto sets off to search for Pinocchio and is swallowed by a gigantic whale, Monstro. The adventure becomes more and more exciting, and finally Pinocchio proves that he is worthy of being a real boy.

A March of Time, “The Vatican of Pope Pius XII,” is a most absorbing picture, while the other supports make up one of the most brilliant programmes ever seen at the State Theatre.