STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1941, Page 8

STATE THEATRE

“MAJOR BARBARA.” The brilliant picture, “Major Barbara” is drawing crowded houses at the State Theatre and will be shown again tonight. It is rarely that such an outstanding human drama is seen on the screen. Brilliant wit and devastating satire combine in “Major Barbara,” which will be shown again tonight at the State Theatre. The film is rich in humanity and understanding, and the characters are brilliantly drawn. The picture is not an idle tale of people who never existed, but is a tale of real people —of the kind of people that make up the world. It is a story of hopes, faith and disillusionment. The role of Major Barbara, the Salvation Army lassie, whose mission in life is to save souls in the squalor of the slums, is capably handled by Wendy Hiller. The major learns through bitter experience that all humans are but little people, many of whom are hypocrites and opportunists, and that the religion she preaches can be bought by the tainted money of a millionaire munitions magnate and a distiller of whisky, who are the causes of the poverty and misery she endeavours to overcome.

A pictorial review of the participation of British troops in the war, New Zealanders in the Middle East and other patriotic features are nightly warmly applauded by the audience.