STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“LILLIAN RUSSELL.” Alice Faye adds one more to her already formidable list of screen triumphs with her appearance in “Lillian Russell,” which will be screened tonight. It is a motion picture that brings out the strength of Hollywood, for “Lillian Russell” has everything. Drama, comedy, pathos, action, colour —all have been deftly blended to make a superb picture that will keep you absorbed and fascinated from start to finish. “Lillian Russell” revives many of the popular songs hits of her day, including “After The Ball Is Over,” “Rosie, You Are My Rosie,” “My Evening Star” and “The Band Played On” (“Strawberry Blond.”). Lillian Russell was the most colourful of all the personalities of the most fabulous era America ever knew. She lived a vivid life that lends itself to screen adaptation and Zanuck has spun a really great motion picture about her life and loves. Alice Faye more than justifies the faith Zanuck placed in her when he chose her to portray the great Lillian Russell. Her acting reaches an alltime high and her charm and her singing voice heighten the triumph. Don Ameche gives another excellent performance in the role of Edward Solomon, Lilliam Russell’s composer husband. Henry Fonda proves once more his rare talents in the role of Alexander Moore, the Pittsburgh newspaper publisher, who also became Lillian Russell’s husbanc). This film is most lavishly produced, and no pains have been spared to make the period and settings as authentic as possible. The costumes worn by Miss Faye are gorgeous, and she has attained a certain poise and assurance which might have been lacking in some of her previous films. The songs of the period are sung in suitable settings. The cast supports the leading lady very well, and Henry Fonda, in his usual quiet, almost simple, style, manages to walk away with many of the scenes in which he| appears. j