“DISRAELI”

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1930, Page 4

“DISRAELI”

A GREAT TALKIE.

The first presentation of Warner Bros.’ great historical romance, “Disraeli,” drew a capacity attendance at' the Town Hall last evening. It as doubtful Whether there will be another picture for some considerable time that will equal the screen version of this famous stage play, With Mr Geo. Arlias in the leading role.- With out doubt, he is a great actor; There is a power and subtelty in his interpretations that is amazing. To watch him in the role of Disraeli, the remarkable statesman who became Prime Minister of England, is a thrill-

e mg experience. f The story on which “'Disraeli” is '> based is .as follows: Gladstone, Liberal, opponent of Disraeli, the conservative Premier, has succeeded in adjourning Parliament without giving Disraeli the finances or power to carry out his plans. Agitation runs high against Disraeli .because he is “a foreigner and a Jew.” U Disraeli, cultivates a mysterious woman u who moves in society without much t background—Mrs Travers, He suspects 1 her of being a spy and discovers that s his suspicions are true, also that her I husband is a spy and one of his secrefc tarics at 10 Downing Street. Lady i Clarissa,, a beautiful young girl, is one of Disraeli’s great admirers. • Charles Deeford, a Stolid young man f of money and position-is in love with - Clarissa, but he is an opponent of I Disraeli’.s. Clarissa will not accept x him because of this and because beds . not a “man of action.” Both Eng- . land and Eussia have their eyes on the i Suez Gaiiial and Disraeli knows that [ the spies around him are. ta inform . Eussia of any move on England’s 5 part to purchase this important gate- . way. Disraeli attempts to get the manager of the Bank of England to i advance the funds for the purchase of the canal until Parliament meets and approves the plan. He feels they must act quickly. The Banker refuses. Disraeli calls in Hugh Meyers, the international Jewish Banker, who agrees to furnish the money as soon as he can bring the gold from the Argentine. Disraeli wins <fVer Charles Deeford, makes him one of his secretaries and sends him on the important mission to complete the-purchase of-the canal, giving him Meyers’ cheque. Through the work of the spies, the ship containing the gold from the Argentine is sunk. Disraeli will be ruined unless he can. act quickly. He calls in Lord Probort, manager of the Bank of England and forces him to sigh a paper agreeing to honour Meyens’ cheque when it comes through, even though the gold to cover it will not be there. He does this under threat of baking away the Charter of the Bank, The story closes with .a brilliant reception attended by Queen Victoria, an honour she paid Disraeli for his foresight in purchasing the canal and making her “Empress of India.” Charles Deeford returns successfully and “a man of action” and wins Clarissa’s hand, and Lady Beaconsfield, devoted wife of Disraeli, recovers from au illness in time to attend the great reception. “Disraeli” will be presented again at the Town Hall tonight and tomorrow night.