MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 5

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"The Great Zlegfeld." The greatest success attended the special preview showing of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "The Great Ziegfeld," which commenced its regular sessions at the Majestic Theatre j, Despite its length of over 15,000 feet, or perhaps because of it, the picture has an appeal which was measured last night by the applause of the audience. Glittering scenes from the most successful shows of the great Florenz Ziegfeld, jun., follow each other in an almost breath-taking sequence of well-conceived and bril-liantly-executed ensembles. These, however, were not the only parts of the film which drew applause. There were acts in the shows which, by their own appeal, unaided by dazzle or sumptuous setting, actually succeeded in drawing applause from the audience, a difficult thing to accomplish in these days, in which the art of the talking picture is usually taken for granted and in silence. Such acts were those of Fanny Brice, and of a genius in the line of tap-dancing. The story itself is a biography of the great showman of the 20th century whose name is a byword for taste and magnificence. Opening with his part in the great Chicago World's Fair of 1894, when he had an even more imposing figure, the great Sandow, undisputed holder of the title of "The World's Strongest Man," the story takes the audience with Ziegfeld on his career which really culminated with the brilliant successes of the middle 1920'5, and the Stock Market crashes which began the depression. One of the finest character studies in his career is given by William Powell, in the title role. As-his first wife, the talented Anna Held, Luise Rainer scores yet another success. The part of Billie Burke, the second Mrs. Ziegfeld, is played splendidly by Myrna Loy. Frank Morgan is also at his best in a breezy, blustering role as a rival "barker" and friend in the old fair days and afterwards.