Butler, Finest Flower Of Civilisation

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 211, 7 September 1938, Page 11

Butler, Finest Flower Of Civilisation

WILLIAM POWELL GIVES PERrECT PORTRAYAL (State: Screening Friday.) Behind tho familiar stolidity and impassivity of buttling lies a field of human endeavour that may deceive any person who thinks that the household major damo is merely a human machine. Whatever else a butler may lack in social position or background, his cub tural education must be—and frequently is—as great, or greater than that of his employers. This fact is sharply etched into the romance of “The Baroness and tho Butler,” which co-stars Annabella in her American screen debut with William Powell.

The theme of a baroness being on sufficiently familiar terms with her butler, to so much as dare a love affair, is not by any means as implausible as the cynics would have you thinkPrimarily the butler is the liaison officer between the house and its staff of servants.

He must be able to answer intelligently almost every question regarding the public, private or personal affairs affecting the home —from members ol the family to members of tho household staff. He frequently has the hire-and-fire of the help, manages the budget and books, acts as something approximating an hotel manager, and is an august judge of all affairs beyond the kitchen door.

This position requires the finer points of generalship, directorship, managership, plus the dignity and aplomb of a supreme court justice. Tho supporting ca6t of “Tho Baroness and tho Butler,” Darryl F. Zanuck's latest hit, features Helen Westley, Henry Stephenson. Joseph Schildkraut, J. Edward Bromberg, Nigel Bruce and Lynn Bari.