“AFFAIRS OF CELLINI."

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 3

“AFFAIRS OF CELLINI."

Fredric March Featured ift Witty Comedy.

Alexander Korda stole a march on his Hollywood contemporaries and set a new fashion of taking liberties with the facts of history when he made that magnificent picture. “ The Private Life of Henry VIII.” The fashion has been adopted with the most brilliant results in “ The Affairs of Cellini.” the fine Twentieth Century production, which began at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday. Gregory La Cava, who directed “ The Affairs of Cellini.” could not have failed to make a good picture with the rich material contained in the life of Benvenuto Cellini, master goldsmith of the Renaissance, and the Casanova of his day. He might have been serious, but he chose to be witty, and the result fully justifies his choice, for the picture is one of the wittiest and most delightful comedies ever screened. The same description has been applied to many films, but never with such truth as to this one. The dialogue is sparkling, the situations range from the hilarious to the farcical, and the acting and settings are almost perfect. Liberties have been taken with history, but the results are so amusing that nobody cares. The film is not concerned with Cellini’s skill as a goldsmith, but devotes practically the whole story to a vivid portrayal of that fascinating ruffian who broke half the hearts of Florence, and atoned for his misdemeanours by his perfect craftsmanship. Fredric March is Cellini to the life—a boastful, swaggering scoundrel who is still, how’ever, attractive enough to charm all women. His acting is brilliant, but the honours of the picture go to Frank Morgan as the weak, bombastic, fussy Duke of Florence, who is in a continual state of perplexity about hanging Cellini for his outrageous behaviour or allowing him to continue his work as a goldsmith and bring honour to Florence. His absentmindedness and his habit of breaking off impressive speeches in mid-air are the high lights of a delightful characterisation. Constance Bennett gives a stately portrayal as the Duchess of Florence, who falls a victim to Cellini’s fatal attraction.

The supporting programme is exceptionally good. There is Walt Disney’s latest Silly Symphony, “ The Wise Little Hen,” which introduces Peter Pig and Donald Duck again; John P. Medbury’s salty wit in the travelogue

“With Medbury in Morocco*”; a novelty comedy number in colour, “ The Beauty Secrets of Ilodywood,” and a Cmesound news.