ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 982, 27 May 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“DISRAELI” The brilliant film production “Disraeli” is continuing its successful season at the St. James Theatre. Flawless in production, perfect in acting - , amazing in its sweep of emotion, “Disraeli” stands at present on the pinnacle of the picture-makers’ art. A whole world, a buried strata of dead men and women stirs into life. The resuscitation of the Victorians is so perfect that the spectator has no time to mock the bustles and the crinolines and horsehair furniture with the condescension of 1930. This for the reason that the spectator is not in 1930, but in 1866. It would be idle to attempt further praise of “Disraeli.” You can make the trip to 1866 any night of the week by sitting in a heatre seat. George Arliss as Disraeli is simply Disraeli. Art here is no longer art, out simply existence. The rest of the performers are similarly sunk in a realism which transcends all suspicion of acting. They are the dead Victorians, the vanished whiskers and the long-buried bustles, the lovely forgotten ladies in golden curls and crinolines. In short, they are not actors, but ghosts called out of the night. To write further praise would be superfluous. The remainder of the St. James programme includes several shorter talkies.

AKARANA YACHT CLUB DANCE The usual mid-week dance of the Akarana Yacht Club will be held in the clubhouse, Mechanics’ Bay, tomorrow evening. The floor U in good condition, and excellent music is provided.