TIVOLI’S FIRST FILM

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20260, 21 March 1934, Page 3

TIVOLI’S FIRST FILM

George Arliss Featured in “ Voltaire.” Voltaire,” featuring the incomparable George Arliss, which is said to excel this great actor’s memorable “ Disraeli ” in magnificence, interest and dramatic appeal, will be the opening film at the Tivoli Theatre on Friday. In “Voltaire,” Arliss, long recognised as the dean of screen actors, realises a lifelong ambition to bring the character of the greatest Frenchman to life on the silver sheet. Not even the life and career of Disraeli offers such a rich field for dramatic exploration as did the character and times of V oltaire. Produced with a magnificence never before equalled in an Arliss production, “Voltaire” marks the high water mark of the star’s career. The story of “ Voltaire ” is based on a single dramatic incident in Voltaire’s career during the long reign of King Louis XV. of France. Voltaire has been called the father of the French Revolution, and the incident upon which the film is founded was actually one of the contributing causes to the greatest governmental upheaval of the age. An outstanding cast supports the star. Doris Kenyon lends her exquisite beauty* to the role of Madame Pompadour, and Margaret Lindsay plays Nanette. Theodore Newton, Reginald Owen, Alan Mowbray, David Torrence, Doris Lloyd and Ivan Simpson are others featured in the imposing array of talent appearing in “ Voltaire.” The late John Adolfi, who directed the last six Arliss productions, was responsible for this splendid show, which was the last work he did before his sudden death in the wilds of the Canadian Rockies last spring. Box plans at the D.I.C.