A NEW TYPE OF DRAMA

Evening Star, Issue 22576, 18 February 1937, Page 14

A NEW TYPE OF DRAMA

‘ MAN WHO GOULD WORK MIRACLES'

Roland Young, in ih© character of George MacWhirter Fotheringay, an obscure and ridiculed draper’s -assistant,; has one of the finest parts of his career in ‘ The Man Who Could Work Miracles,’ the London Films-Alexander Korda production, which opens at the Regent to-morrow. The action of the screen play is- largely centred on Fotheringay, and there are moments of lively comedy ’ followed by exceedingly, dramatic sequences which he handles to great effect. Almost incredible things happen to this ordinary and every-day individual, and it takes an actor of more than ordinary ability to interpret such situations as the genius of H. G, Wells has devised for this production. Although Roland Young has given many, fine performances in American films, in ‘ The Man Who Could Work Miracles '• he gives a characterisation of out-stand-ing and enduring merit. H. G. Wells’* script set many problems for the producers and cameramen. Many of the “ miracle ” effects which Roland Young works will be seen for the first time on any screen, and there is likely to be much speculation as to how some of these astonishing things have been photographed. The final scene is an enormous marble-pillared hall and the stage at Worton Hall, which housed nearly 500 players when the scene was, filmed. The entire cast in this scene appear in some wonderful costumes when Fotheringay decides to change » house into a splendid palace. By the wave of a hand immediately the change! takes place, and in a similar way all the people there are reclothed to suit their, new _ surroundings. . Servants appear, all his associates from the store, beautiful women gorgeously gowned, bankers, from all over the world, kings aiid presidents. politicians, newspapermen, Fotheringay proceeds to lecture them on the sort of world he thinks this should bo, threatening to wipe them nut if thev do not conform to his wishes. They try to persuade him to moderation, but without success. '“Wait till tomorrow!” they plead—but he stops the sun in the sky. He stops the earth rotating. ‘ The Man Who Could Work Miracles ’ is on© of the funniest and most spectacular comedies ever produced, and a very able cast support* Roland Young, among whom are such-well-known players as Joan Gardner, Ralph Richardson, Ernest - Thesiger, Robert Cochran, Lady Tree, Sophie Stewart, and Edward Chapman. ‘ •