STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1941, Page 8

STATE THEATRE

“THE GREAT DICTATOR” TONIGHT For those who will insist that Charlie Chaplin is trying to get over a “message of significance" in his now picture, “The Great Dictator,” which patrons will see at the State Theatre, tonight one has but to read down the roster of names in tiie cast to find not only such funsters as Reginald Gardiner, Jack Oakie. Billy Gilbert, but old favourites like Hank Mann, Leo White, Eddie Gribbon and Chester Conklin. It is true that in this picture Chaplin has more plot than is his custom. But he is not sacrificing the inimitable pantomime and laughs for which he has gained the worldwide reputation. Chaplin believes that the world today needs laughter. Since the serious trend world conditions have taken, he has been beseiged with requests to re-issue “Shoulder Arms” which many a soldier in the World War often said gave him courage to go on fighting. Chaplin’s answer was not “Shoulder Arms" but “The Great Dictator.” Anyone, who sees the noted comedian's latest comedy will be certain to leave the theatre refreshed by the memory of an evening of hilarious fun such as only the genius of Chaplin can produce. Although the production is nearly all Chaplin, which it what it should be, the performances of Jack Oakie and Paulette Goddard are excellent. Oakie is more Mussolini-esqtte than that modern “Caesar” himself. Miss Goddard as Hannah, the humble sweetheart of the little barber of the Ghetto, is beautiful and entrancing. Other excellent characterisations are given by Billy Gilbert as a Goering-like “Herring,” Henry Daniell as a Goebbels-like “Garbitsch,” Reginald Gardiner and Maurice Moscovitch.