PLAZA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 15

PLAZA THEATRE

“Victoria The Great” “Victoria the Great,” the lavishly-pro-duced drama of the revered British Queen, which is screening at the Plaza Theatre, rejoices in an atmosphere as colmirfnl ns if. is rnnL Much of the Story

ourtui as ir is real, centres on the younger days of the Queen (Anna Neagle), showing her courtship, her love for Prince Albert, with Victoria doing the proposing by virtue of Royal right, their marriage, and the long period of 27 years of wedded bliss which followed. Yfanv important and

«vxuii a y Hupuxtuuh auu leading events oft Victoria’s reign form dramatic highlights in the film, such as thg fateful occasion when she interfered to prevent the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, from. sending what virtually amounted to an ultimatum to the American Government, when the two countries became embroiled in an argument as to the legality of an American cruisdr having stopped an English mail-boat to remove two Southerners as prisoners. Other great national events are set forth that thrill the spectators, but it is the romance between Victoria-and Albert that must be listed as the very core and most powerful appeal of the picture. It is from a storv delved out of old records, books, and her Majesty’s own diary, that Herbert Wilcox constructed the framework of the -film. Anna Neagle, favourite of the English screen, plays the star role of Queen Victoria. Anton Walbrook, celebrated dramatic actor, is bracketed with her as Prince Albert. H. B. Warner fills the important role of Lord Melbourne. STATE THEATRE, PETONE Adventure that sends the blood tingling through the veins, romance that finds an echo in every heart, dare-devil deepwater diving sequences, fascinating sunkissed settings on Thursday Island, tropic outpost of civilisation, are all delightfully blended in “Lovers and Luggers,” which began yesterday at the State Theatre, Petone. This eagerly-awaited production, for which the popular Hollywood star, Lloyd Hughes, was brought out to play the lead- opposite Australia’s own Shirley Ahn Richards, is one of the finest films produced in Australia. Elaine Hamill, the New Zealand actress, has an important role.