STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE.” A great human drama of today that will stir the happiest, memories of a thousand thrilling yesterdays is Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of ‘ Hollywood Cavalcade,” which comes to the State Theatre tonight, starring Alice Faye and Don Ameche and photographed in glorious technicolour. The romance of Hollywood from bathing beauties to world premieres staged anew, this magnificent picture tells in thrilling and highly entertaining fashion the story of Mike, a “prop” boy, consumed with the desire to make pictures, and Molly, who wanted only to be loved by Mike, but who was swept along to greatness on Ihe screen. Those memorable Mack Sennett bathing beauties stroll again beside Castle Rock and Santa Monica beach, but this time lovely Alice Faye is one of their number. Buster Keaton. Ben Turpin, Chester Conklin and those inimitable Keystone Cops cavort again in slapstick, custard-pie comedy. Al Jolson sings again “Koi Nidre,” the song with which he electrified the world in “The Jazz Singer,” the first talking picture ever made. And Ameche, as Director Mike, recalls the great directors of bygone days as he strides about his gigantic sets in riding togs and puttees, carrying a huge megaphone with his name painted on it, directing a lavish Babylonian feast with hundreds of dress extras. Alice Faye is more beautiful and effective than ever in her technicolour debut and also her first straight dramatic role as Molly, and Don Ameche is splendid as Mike, who forgot to tell her he loved her—until it was too late. Others who shine in the supporting cast are J. Edward Bromberg, as a composite of all Hollywood producers; Allan Curtis as the leading man Molly marries when she despairs of winning Mike; Stuart Erwin as Mike’s demon cameraman; Jed Prouty as Chief of Police of the Keystone Cops; Buster Keaton as his pieslinging self. The new programme tomorrow will I be headed by “The Cisco Kid and the Lady,” starring Cesar Romero, Marjorie Weaver, Robert Barnet, and Virginia Field. The second feature is “Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence,” featuring Jean Rogers, Glen Ford and Raymond Walburn.