HISTORICAL ROLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 51, 2 March 1939, Page 5

HISTORICAL ROLES

FOR TYRONE POWER "BURTON OF ARABIA” Darryl Zanuck is apparently undeterred by the volley of protests against the unsuitable casting of Tyrone Power in historical character parts. His research department is now busy preparing for Power a screen biography of Sir Richard Burton, to be called "Burton of Arabia.” Burton, soldier, traveller, author and scholar of the last century, is probably most famous for his translation of the “Arabian Nights.” Like Ferdinand de Lessens, Power's much-disputed character in "Suez,” Burton was a consul in Brazil. Damascus and Trieste. He travelled to Mecca, disguised as an Afghan pilgrim, discovered Lake Tanganyika, explored the Gold Coast, the Andes and the Amazon. His writings included many translations from the Arabic.

Zanuck is lucky in one respect. Burton really had a highly romantic and happy marriage. But it took place when he was 40 years old, in 1861. On the whole he seems about, as unlikely a character for the romantic young Mr. Power as most filmgoers thought de Lesseps was. But Tyrone's producers seem at the moment more worried as to whether or not their star is goiatg Io marry Annabella. Cables have been flying to and from Rio de Janeiro. Power is reported to have consented at least not to marry until he returns from there. Beyond that he will not commit himself.

Some of this anxiety about, his domestic affairs might well be turned on to the choice of more suitable roles for him on the screen. Perhaps, however, Zanuck is aware that Sir Richard Burton's English home was at

Elstree, If he haunts the place, perhaps he is familiar with the vagaries of the film world and would not be surprised to see himself turned into Tyrone Power.