DELIGHTFUL COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 29 (Supplement)

DELIGHTFUL COMEDY.

Fredric MarcH in u Aff airs of Cellini.” Although it purports to narrate an incident in the life of the famous metalworker, Benvenuto Cellini, “ The Affairs of Cellini,” which began at the Plaza Theatre to-day, is in reality a delightful comedy -which might have been enacted at almost any perido in the days of romance. It is with Cellini’s prowess as a lover and his penchant for getting into and out of the most dangerous situations, either bv bravery or trickery, rather than with his skill as a goldsmith, that the film is concerned. -Fredric March, in the title role, acts the swaggering but attractive scoundrel with refreshing zest. Constance Bennett gives a stately and provocative portrayal as the Duchess of Florence, who, hearing of Cellini’s attraction for women, determines to let him test his skill on herself, only to fall a victim as others had done. Another fine performance comes from Frank Morgan as the weak, bombastic, fussy Duke of Florence, constantly irritated by the cares and responsibilities of State, always ready to be side-tracked by some new delight, and swayed from one point of view to the other by the wiser counsels of his advisers, his fear of his wife and the sly flatteries of Cellini.

A good list of supports includes: Plaza pictorial news service; an organlogue, ‘‘Bouquet of Roses”; a novelty comedy number in colour, “ The Beauty Secrets of Hollywood”; No. 3 of the “ Unknown Island” series; a humorous travelogue, “ With Medbury in Morocco ”; and Walt Disney’s latest coloured cartoon, “ The Wise Little Hen.” Box plans at the D.I.C.