CRYSTAL PALACE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22661, 16 March 1939, Page 9

CRYSTAL PALACE

“GATEWAY” AND “THE LIVE WIRE” Thousands of extras were given work in the 20th Century-Fox production, “Gateway,” first screen story to deal with that dramatic spot, the New York immigration station, Ellis Island, which, with “The Live Wire,” will open at the Crystal Palace to-morrow. The stars of “Gateway” are Don Ameche and Arleen Whelan. This dramatic story of Ellis Island also features Gregory Ratoff, Binnie Barnes, Gilbert Roland, and Raymond Walburn. When the picture arrived at the actual “Ellis Island” stage, it was necessary to have on hand one of the most diversified groups of extra players ever assembled. Even though they appear on the screen for only short periods it was essential that the lists include Irish, Cockneys, Scots, Bulgars, Chinese, Middle Europeans. Sicilians, Hungarians, Poles, Czechs, Lascars, Hindus, Sengalese—men, women and children from every near and far corner of the world. The associate feature, “The Live Wire,” can boast of four leading ladies who have starring and featured roles. They are Jean Gillie, Irene Ware, Kathleen Kelly and Sally Stewart. Bernard Nedell is the star. He plays the role of an American, efficiency expert who is called in to help a London firm of real estate agents who are facing bankruptcy.. The only assets the firm possesses is a muddy track of ground in Essex, so Nedell decides to build a huge health spa on the site. Being a “live-wire,” he surmounts all difficulties. One of the most hilarious comedies that have ever been produced by British studios is the modernised version. of the story of Aladdin’s lamp, “Alf’s Sutton Afloat,” now at the Crystal Palace. It is a Gainsborough picture from the G.B.D. Studios, and is a film which preserves the traditions of the English music-hall stage. STATE “SUEZ” The building of the Suez canal was a gigantic achievement against almost insuperable difficulties. It is the realistic portrayal of the odds against de Lesseps’s success that makes “Suez,” which will begin the fourth week of its season at the State Theatre to-mor-row so entertaining a picture. The principal roles are taken by Tyrone Power, Annabella, and Loretta Young,

The story deals with the troubles of de Lesseps, which begin when he is sent to Egypt to join his father as diplomatic attache, thus being separated from his beloved.