REMARKABLE PICTURE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 3

REMARKABLE PICTURE.

Noel Coward’s “ Cavalcade ” Opens on Friday. '* Cavalqade ”, the remarkable talking picture version of Noel Coward’s great stage play, will open at the Regent Theatre on Friday evening. “Cavalcade” is absolutely unique as screen entertainment. There is no “ plot ” in the ordinary meaning of the word: it is instead a vast sequence of plots which the director has contrived to make always absorbingly interesting, and with which he has achieved amazing effects. Coward has woven the story of the Marryot family, father, mother and two sons, their servants, a butler and maid and their daughter, with a masterful hand against a background which encompasses historical events between 1900 and the present time. He presents a terrific indictment against those responsible for the present muddled state of world affairs, but ends on a high note of gallant optimism that all will go well if we carry on with courage and faith. The allstar cast includes Clive Brook, Herbert Mundin, Beryl Mercer, Tempe Piggott, .lohn Warbnrton, Margaret Lindsay, Lionel Belmore and Billy Bevan. Diana Wynyard, in the role of Jane Marryot, gives a magnificent performance which marks her as Hollywood’s greatest “ discovery ” In several years. Brook far exceeds the best work he has ever done before in a picture, while the performances of Mundin and Una O’Connor in character roles, are notable contributions in screen acting. Ursula Jeans and Frank Lawton, who carry the young love interest, are very capable performers. Ursula Jeans being espeoially effective in her singing of the “Twentieth Century Blues”. The box plans are filling rapidly at the Regent.