STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1941, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“I WAS AN ADVENTURESS." "I Was Ari Adventuress," which will be shown tonight, once more presents Zorina, whose performance in "On Vour Toes" gave promise of a new and different screen personality. Her latest film shows that this promise has been fulfilled, for she plays the part of the pseudo Countess Vronksy with polish and intelligence. Countess Vronsky is a beautiful young woman whose . subtle ways of selling and re-selling a i worthless pendant of would-be anti- ’ quity is a source of pride and income jto her mentor and his assistant. Erich i von Stroheim plays the part of Andre. | a professional crook who has taken the i countess from a third-rate ballet ’troupe and trained her in his own ‘ ways till she is a sophisticated wo- ’ man of the world. Peter Lorre takes | the part of Andre's assistant and slave, ' whose peasant dullness is lit every now and then with a shrewdness which finally outwits even the clever Andre. The countess, playing her game, falls in love with her latest victim (Richard Greene), decides to reform and marries him. As Mrs Paul Vernay she is lost sight of for a time by her former companions, but eventually they catch up with her and in spite of protestations, install themselves as guests in her magnificent home, where a house party is in progress. The girl, who knows only too well that they have plans to rob her guests of their jewellery, is at her wits' end to know what to do, but still cannot bring herself to ■ ell her husband. The problem is solved for her, however, when he becomes suspicious and the disappearance of the gems shows him that ho is right. The thieves get away with the loot, and the husband and wife follow them in a spectacular motor-car chase which e«ds in happiness for the young couple. The dialogue is bright and witty, and the comedy moments are many. Every actor gives a polished performance, and Zorina dances again —this time "Swan Lake,” with all the virtuosity and natural genius which lias made her such an internationally famous character. The fi-aturettes include a March of Time dealing with ■ the United States Navy.