A STIRRING FILM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20603, 2 May 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

A STIRRING FILM.

“Royal Cavalcade” Tells of King’s Reign. UNUSUAL SETTINGS. Using the adventures of the humble penny as a means of depicting the principal events during the last twentyfive years, the producers of “ The Royal Cavalcade,” an ambitious film made specially in Britain to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of his Majesty, King George V, have succeeded in depicting the reign as a connected narrative, relating a fascinating story apd introducing innumerable interesting side-issues and unsuspected aspects. This splendid British production will begin at the Plaza and Theatre Royal to-morrow. This i£ no dull chronicle of events known to many from experience, and to others as questions in history examinations. It is a story of life. The atxdience is taken into every branch and walk of life, across the world and back again, and the production ends on a high Imperial note with the hope of yet brighter prospects in the future. Among the many stirring scenes depicted in this cavalcade are Scott’s arrival at the South Pole, only to find that Amundsen had beaten him, and the heroic, but vain, sacrifice of Captain Oates; there is the Coronation and the King's first Privy Council at Buckingham Palace; the first Royal Command performance in 1911, featuring Marie Lloyd, and the first variety performance in the same year, when Pavlova danced the “ Dying Swan.” There are the struggles of the

j suffragettes and many amusing and significant features of the Great War. | Sir Edward Grey’s famous address to the nation in the House of Commons, in August, 1914, on Britain’s policy regarding the invasion of Belgium; Haig’s message to his troops beginning: “ With our backs to the wjfcl. . the growth of the cinema, the telephone, radio, motor-car and aeroplane industries; and incidents of the private life of the Royal Family. The story and scenario were specially written and as many as five directors were engaged on that production. The whole film was completed in three months and flown out to New Zealand with the airmail. Nothing has been spared by the largest producing organisation in Britain to make this film worthy of the occasion. An amazing cast has been assembled to portray the figures in this intensely human story of twenty-five years. This has been the most momentous period in all our history and the film is a fitting record. Such famous figures of the British stage and screen as Frank Yosper (Scott), George Robey (self), Harry Tate (self), Alice Lloyd (Marie Lloyd), Austin Trevor, John Stuart. Florrie Ford (self), Judy Kelly and Vera Pearce, of Australia. Joyce Bland, Marguerite Allan, Clifford | and Henry Mollison, Constance Shotter j Billy Cary 11. Ben Webster, Elaine Ben- : son (the screen's “Little Nell”), Jim;my Godden, Amy Veness, John Gar- | rick, John Singer, Edmund Breon, Richard Bird, Sam Livesey, Arthur Margetson, Leonora Corbett. Gyles Isham, Ben Welden, Barbara Everest, Dorothy Bouchier, Norman Long, of the 8.8. C., Gus M’Naughton, Renee Ray, Jane Baxter of “ Blossom Time,” and a host of other distinguished players. There is no doubt that cinema-goers will acclaim this as one of the greatest films of the year. It deals with the greatest quarter of a century in our history.

SHOPS TO CLOSt*.' The question of the observance of Monday next as a holiday was considered at a special meeting of the Executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Association yesterday afternoon. It was decided that Monday would be observed as a holiday and to urge all businesses wherever possible to follow this recommendation. Retail establishments such as grocers, butchers, drapers, boot retailers,

j booKseneVs, radio dealers and hardware ! merchants, and also all warehouses and f j wholesale establishments will be closed. - However, a special difficulty arises in - the case of factories. Already in recent weeks, owing to the holidays, employees s have suffered a considerable loss of - I wages and in addition the employers - have lost many hours of production, s j There are also some industries in which j essential or urgent work demands the - . retention of at least a skeleton staff ;, on holidays.