“ Mussolini Speaks ” A Film Autobiography of H Duce

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7314, 15 November 1933, Page 5

“ Mussolini Speaks ” A Film Autobiography of H Duce

LOWELL THOMAS TELLS OF ITALY’S GREAT PREMIER

“Mussolini Speaks,” the moving picture autobiography of Italy’s great Premier, is unique in motion picture production. Tor the first time a great man is recorded on immortal celluloid during. his .lifetime, .No actor, how much he is gifted, was to he trusted with the gestures, actions and speech of this international figure, who will he seen on the Kosy silversheet on Saturday with another attractive picture, “By Whose Hand?” All the characteristics of Mussolini’s vivid personality are revealed, in this romantic story of his life. The film is described and interpreted by Lowell Thomas, world-famous commentator. The moving picture world haa on several occasions endeavoured to record the lives of great men. But in most cases it has been necessary to interpret the leader through an actor or to limit the action to the capabilities of the statesman. But in the case of Benito Mussolini no limitations are, necessary, for the man’s life is extremely dramatic and he is a natural born actor. The son of a blacksmith, his first duties were at the forge. We next find him a school teacher, a political gadfly, a revolutionist, a soldier, the leader of the Faseisti movement! Fortunately, for the sake of history, Mussolini was born in the age of tho moving picture camera, for this picture, “Mussolini Speaks,” will be recorded in the vaults of history as first-hand information of the great Italian leader as it was portrayed by himself. No historian will be required in later years ta interpret his word or to elucidate on. his gestures. In the few attempts made previously to record the life and doings of a leader, the producers havo been hampered by a lack of colour in tho man’s life and the absence of adventure and romance. But Benito Mussolini combines with his abilities of statesmanship the love of adventure. He is a sportsman as well as a playwright; he is a dramatist as well as economic adviser. He contains in himself all the elements of a great drama, and in “Mussolini Speaks,” the entire man is set forth clear and distinctly, fully revealed.