‘THE MILLIONAIRE’

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 7

‘THE MILLIONAIRE’

GEORGE ARLISS OF ‘ DISRAELI 1 RETURNS

George Arliss is just now the most decorated man in motion pictures. His performance in ‘ Disraeli,’ his first talking picture, made for Warner Bros., won him the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the ‘ Photoplay ’ gold medal, and the gold medal awarded for fine diction by the American Academy of Arts of Sciences. Born in England, Arliss went to America with Mrs Patrick Caffnpbell to stay six months, and remained thirty years to become the dean of American stage ~tars, famous for such memorable performaces as those ho gave to ‘ Disraeli,’ ‘ The Green Goddess,’ ‘ Old English,’ ‘ Hamilton,' 'The Devil,’ ‘Darling of the Gods,’ ‘ Septimus,’ ‘ Paganini,’ ‘ Merchant of Venice,’ and many others. Ho is distinguished also for his work for humane societies in America and England—for his autobiography, ‘ Up the Years from Bloomsbury,’ which is the best-selling theatrical biography yet printed—for his ever-present monocle and his insistence upon perfection in anything lie does, and for promptness in keeping engagements. He is married to Florence Montgomery, who plays the wife in ‘The Millionaire,’ as she did in, Disraeli.’ The Arlisses have two homes in England and an apartment in New York. They have no children. Mr Arliss’s latest picture for AVarner Bros., ‘The Millionaire.’ comes to the Regent Theatre on Fridav next.

‘ The Millionaire ’ is based on a story by Earl Derr Diggers. Julian Josephson did the screen play, and the clever dialogue is the work of no less a personage than Booth Tarkington. John Adolfi’s direction is expert as is the photography of Janies Van Trees. Arliss plays the part of James Alden, a self-made millionaire automobile manufacturer, who in the quest for wealth has depleted his health. His physician advises his going West for a rest cure. This Arlon reluctantly does, urged by -his pretty daughter Barbara, and his wife, who has social ambitions. Time hangs heavily, the claims of society prove irksome, and he is in fear that his daughter will make one of the id!o_ rich. To add to his discomfiture an insurance agent tells him that retired business men are considered higher risks than those who are still active. _ Alden determines to get busy, and' without his family’s knowledge, answers the advertisement of the owner of a petrol-filling station. He arrives at the address just after a likeable young man, Bill Merrick, has paid all his capital for a half interest in the garage. Posing as a working man with just a small amount of cash, Alden buys the other half and becomes Bill’s partner. The first customer for petrol is his own daughter. He keeps out of sight, and notices with interest that the young people have met before. No further part of the whimsical and amusing story need be told. It is enough to say that Mr Arliss’s brilliant repertory contains no more delightful characterisation.