DE LUXE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 13

DE LUXE THEATRE

“Cavalcade” Premiere .For months past, the world Jias been talking “Cavalcade.” Ever since this child of Noel .Coward’s brain .established a re-, ebrd’ruii bn the London stage, people in other countries have been clamouring to see the show. Finally, it was decided that the spectacle should be given to the world through the medium of the talkingpicture screen. The Fox Film Corporation has produced the greatest and most perfectly presented film ever shown. Wellington audiences have been waiting for “Cavalcade” to be screened here for some ' considerable time, and now their wish has been granted. Its Wellington premiere was given at the He Luxe Theatre last evening in the presence of their Excellencies the Gover-nor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe, and suite, and one of the largest audiences ever seen at this theatre. Since “Cavalcade” may really be described as a “toast to the British Empire,” it seemed fitting that it should be screened in the presence of his Majesty’s representative. “Cavalcade” is a gripping drama, delightful in its seeming simplicity and human verity, as it delineates an English family’s life during the first quarter of the twentieth century, set in a vast background of vivid, illuminating flashes of great'world events, with their inexorable recoil upon the unite of the family. In Jane and Robert Marryott of 1899 one is presented with the Victorian ideal of family life, England’s traditional bulwark, ■with its established code of privilege and responsibility, with mutual respect between man and master, mistress and maid in all stations and relationships of life. Comes the twentieth century, and the steady sapping of the spiritual and crumbling of the physical foundations of family life under the glamour and reverberations of passing cavalcades of events, with a complete reversal of the old order. T)azod and bewildered by the chaos around them after they had honourably weathered a succession of storms that had left them, bereft of all but their courage, the aged Marryotts lift their glasses in a brave toast to the incoming New Year. '.‘Cavalcade,” although made in Hollywood. is entirely British, the cast, extras, director and producer being either imported from England or British born. The picture opens at the time of the Boer War, and from then on the audience is shown a series of epoch-making events, including scenes in London on the night of the relief of Mafeking, Queen Victoria’s funeral, the first flight across the Channel, the Titanic disaster, the horrors of the World War, Armistice Day in London, and numerous post-war scenes. Everything is handled in a brilliant and frequently remarkably delicate manner, and nothing is overdone. In fact, the direction bears the stamp of genius, and the result is that the public is given a marvellous story with a true to life background. As for the cast—to describe their respective performances would be equivalent to painting the lily. Clive Brook, Diana Wynyard, who, as a result of her acting in this film, has placed herself at the top of the ladder of fame; Herbert Mundin, Ursula Jeans, Una O'Connor and Irene Browne, for several years a stage favourite in Australia and New Zealand; and Frank Lawton all contribute to the remarkable success of an equally remarkable production. An additional attraction is the engagement of a special orchestra of 18 talented musicians, under the capable direction of Mr. L. D. Austin. It is heard in the overture "Light Cavalry and a special entr-acte, “Cavalcade.” The orchestra is augmented by Miss Ins Mason at the Wurlitzer organ. Miss Mason is also heard in a medley of tunes, old and new. The supporting bill consists of n gazette and n patriotic film, “Events of the Empire.”