A NOTABLE FILM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 11

A NOTABLE FILM

GEORGE ARLISS SUCCESS " THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD " The screen genius of Mr.. George Arliss has never had a finer setting than that provided in "The House of Rothschild," which opened its Auckland season with a gala premiere at the Regent Theatre last night. A new Arliss picture is invariably an event in the cinema year, and last night's screening was even made an occasion of social importance. The audience was not disappointed. "The House of Rothschild" proved a memorable film and at the finish roceived the rare tribute of the applause of a crowded theatre. Mr. Arliss has yet to make a poor picture. His first appearance on the talking screen was in a sidelight of history—an episode from the life of Disraeli —and now, with historical films in vogue, he has gone back a few years further to recreate another famous Jewish figure. Nathan Rothschild, the third of a family of five brothers, was the acknowledged leader of the great banking house which had its being in the five capitals in Europe. H»» operated from London and fought with all the power of his huge wealth to destroy the power of Napoleon. This is the character in which Mr. Arliss scores his greatest screen triumph to date. The film opens with him in the role of the old father, Mayer Anselm, laying the foundations for his family's wealth in the Frankfort ghetto, hoodwinking tax collectors, and then, in death, pointing to his sons the path they shall travel —a path of unity toward power, not for themselves alone, but so that their people, the Jews, might walk tho world with dignity. That note of dignity is sustained throughout the film. With his artist's skill, Mr. Arliss sketches the power and determination of a man who heard always the voice of his race, but he makes of Nathan Rothschild a richly human figure. Personages of history pass across the screen—-Well-ington, downright and kindly, Ledrantz, Metternich and Talleyrand, sneering the scheming—and tho little Jew, with his family behind tun, fights bravely and cheerfully for tho honour and dignity of his race. Never has Mr. Arliss proved so completely his mastery of changing moods. The scheming of the brilliant financier, the courage .of the patriot, the devotion of the father and husband are portrayed with superb economy of effort and occasional kindly Hashes of delightful humour. One overlooks occasional transgressions from strict history in admiration for a performance which so perfectly recreates the historical significance of a great man. But the picture is not Arliss alone. Mr. C. Aubrey Smith gives a magnificent performance as the Duke of Well* ington and Mr. Boris Karloff's vindictive Ledrantz is a sound piece of acting. Mrs. Florence Arliss appears opposite her husband as his wife and gives a performance which approaches perfection. Miss Loretta Young, as Rothschild's daughter, and Mr. Robert Young, as Wellington's aide-de-camp, provide romantic interest in an apocryphal but carefully subdued love interlude. The whole film is magnificently produced. The cameracraft matches the casting in its brilliance and the final scene, in which history is anticipated and Rothschild receives a peerage, is magnificently photographed in colour. Altogether it is a superb film which, deserved success. The supporting programme, too, is excellent. An interesting news reel, a tuneful film of organ music with novelty production effects, and a thrilling giimpse of submarine adventure, with sharks, divers and an octopus, culminate in another sample of the wizardry of Mr. Walt Disney. His "Funny Little Bunnies" is another masterpiece of colour, music _ and comedy and is almost a show in itself.