GRAND THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16846, 23 September 1922, Page 19

GRAND THEATRE.

“ DISRAELI.” The programme at the Grand is headed by a picture which has been acclaimed where re r produced as one of rhe big things in screen productions. This is what the ■' New Zealand Herald ” has to say :— *' ‘ Disraeli’ is distinctly one of tho highest-class attractions among recent motion pictures. It is such films which will win followers for the screen, in that they not only entertain, but accomplish a wo* thy purpose in reviving memories of great events and great men in the history of the British Empire.” The play of “ Disraeli.” by Louis N. Parker, -was given its first stage presentation in 1911. and for nearly six years it ran continuously, in the big cities and on tour. Mr George Arliss achieved his greatest stage success in the play, and he lias has old part in the picture. “ Disraeli ” is not an historical play iu any sense. The author has given us a charming view of the life and times of Mr Disraeli, but the etory of the play is very fanciful, and designed to show something of the prejudice of English aristocracy against the distinguished Jew, who on two occasions was appointed by Queen Victoria to be her Prime Minister*. The story of “Disraeli” relates to the purchase by England of the Sues Canal an a means of defending India. The “plot” surrounds Disraeli with many spies, one of them a charming English woman, but the cleverness of j the Prime Minister is shown as he ! upsets all of the plans of the Russians and compels the Bank of England to get back of his plan until Parliament meets and votes the money necessary for the purchase. Two parallel love stories run through the photoplay. The attachment between Disraeli and his wife. Lady Beaconsfield, is one of the great “ love affairs ” of all times, and the scenes between Clarissa (Louise Huff) and Viscount Deeford (Reginald Denny) will be found to he •among the most charming ever seen on the screen. 'Disraeli” possesses a dignity that lifts its way above the popular conception of “the movies.” Mr Arliss has ease and simple grace, together with the ability to portray character to a degree that js actually imcanny in pictures. He is supported

by a cast that is equally rare. Miss Louis© Huff brmgs beauty and talent ro the screen, and accentuates the work of Mr Arliss Mrs Arliss as Lady Reaconsfield has the role che played on the rstage. She is a delightful actress. Margaret Dole also has her :-tage role, lhat of Mrs Travers, the beautiful Russian spy. She. too, is delightful E. J. Ratcliffe, Henry Carvill, Frank Lose©, Grace Griswold, Noel Tearle, Fred ,T. Nicholls., and many other splendid actors and actresses make up tliij great cast. The second feature, £ ‘ Plril for Short,” is a delightful comedy-drama in which Evelyn Greeley, as the star plays the young wife who sets herself the task of making her husband love her.