MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 12

MAJESTIC THEATRE

•‘THE BLONDE VENUS.” Produced by a director of world wide repute, Josef von Sternberg, “The Blonde Venus,” a Paramount film, is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. This picture is an example of the highest standard that modern photography tan attain and provides excellent acting by a cast of talented performers. Marlene Dietrich has’ the capacity of portraying deep emotion and suffering with little of the usual technique to which most actresses have resource, and in this film she is called on to play the role of a mother Avho.se one thought in life is to cherish and care for her little son. In the part of the husband, Herbert Marshall maintains tho reputation h e has gained for straight acting, and Dickie Moore, as the son, is a youthful star who achieves a reniarkablv successful characterisation. The wide range of places covered in the course of the story is cleverly blended by skilful production, and at no time do any perceptible gaps occur in the working out of the theme. The opening scenes picture the meeting between the two who are destined to become husband and wife and the unusual location of a pleasant little swimming pool in the Black Forest is one of the most effective openings yet witnessed. Herbert Marshall takes his wife to New York, where a son is born, and he finds out after some years that he is suffering from radium poisoning. An eminent doctor states that the only cure is to be found in Germany, and Marlene Dietrich decides that the quickest way to raise the necessary money is to go back into revue. The initial sum is rapidly forthcoming and she proves a real success, which enables her husband to start off on the journey across tho Atlantic. In the meantime a wealthy admirer is not to be denied and by his constant admiration wins her over. The return of the husband discloses the real source of tho passage-money and he determines to take his son by right and let his wife go on her own way. Entertainingly screened, the events leading up to a stirring climax are of unique appeal. In support there will be the latest newsreels, a “Mickey Mouse” cartoon and another of the ever popular Screen Souvenirs series.