ARLISS AND ROYALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 102, 2 May 1935, Page 8

ARLISS AND ROYALTY.

CIVICS JUBILEE FARE. George Arliss, in his initial English film venture, "The Iron Duke," in which he essays the role of Napoleon's conqueror, has no small contact with His Majesty King George 111., who reigned for (JO years, a period exceeded only by Victoria. To-morrow, at the Civic Theatre, Mr. Arliss will be associated with His Majesty King George V., whose Silver Jubilee on Monday is the reason why "Twenty-five Years a King," a halflength feature film, will be screened together with "The Iron Duke."

"Twenty-five Years a King" is an ambitious attempt to portray in an entertaining sequence the chief events of what is, perhaps, the most significant period through which the British Nation has passed. With John Drinkwater as author and Sir Austen Chamberlain narrator or commentator, the production should prove to be a most entertaining and instructive one.

George Arliss personally selected the role of the Iron Duke when lie agreed to make a film in England. He was assigned one of Britain's most polished film directors in Victor Saville, and a first-rate supporting cast. Of this latter the names of Ellaline Terries and Gladys Cooper are pre-eminent, while Etnlyn Williams, Norma Varden, Peter Gawthorne, ■ Allan Aynesworth, Gyles Isham and Leslie Waring provide colourful and well-known stage names for the minor roles in the picture.

When "The Iron Duke" was in production London was scoured for furniture of the period. Stair carpets, silks, tapestries and rugs were specially made in the studio to authentic patterns of the early nineteenth century.