Praise for “Iron Duke”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 168, 12 April 1935, Page 16

Praise for “Iron Duke”

"WRITING of the Gaumont-British picture, “The Iron Duke,” the first British picture in ■which George Arliss appears, Campbell Dixon, the wellknown London critic, says: “It is one of tha most notable productions ever undertaken in England. It was inade by one of our 'ace' directors. Victor Saville, and the fact that it cost some £130,000, indicates that at least notliing needful to impressive spectacle has been stinted. The producers should have their reward. ‘The Iron Duke’ emerges from the studio a picture big in theme, conception, and execution. Nothing yet made should de more to raise the prestige of the British screen abroad.” “In ‘The Iron Duke’ we see Wellington in peace and war. The scenes range from the Congress of Vienna and the Duchess of Richmond’s ball on the eve of Waterloo, at Brussels, to the battle itself, and the shabby intrigues that resulted in the execution of Ney. Certain scenes at Waterloo have been admirably handled. It is a dour heart that does not beat faster at Wellington’s ‘Up, Guards, at at ’em,’ and exuit at the terrific charge of. the Scots Greys. One of the many other effective scenes in a story full of pageantry and colour is the meeting of Wellington and Blucher.” George Arliss heads a great company of English players, many of whom have attained the very pinnacle of fame in London and New York. There are such well-known names as Ellaine Terriss, Gladys Cooper, A. E. Matthews, Allan Ayneswortb, Franklin Dyall and Edmund Willard. Charles Chaplin, it is reported, has finally decided to make a talking picture. He will appear as a “straight” comedian, minus his well-known makeup.