“THE WORKING MAN”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 16

“THE WORKING MAN”

AN OUTSTANDING PICTURE GEORGE ARLISS All PLAZA Wanganui has seen George Arliss in four productions—“ Disraeli,” “The Green Goddess,” “Tho Millionaire” and “The Man Who Played God.” It has now fallen to the fortune of the Plaza Theatre to feature him in “The Working Man,” the best of them all. Occasionally there comes to the screen a picture that is really good, in that it has some distinctive quality about it that is human, and, therefore, is appealing to vast rank and file of the public. “The Working Maa” is such a picture. It is not a “Disraeli,” nor is it a “Cavalcade,” but its appeal as a picture will rival those two fine productions, simply because of that little human touch about it and the freshness of its humour, that is so faithfully portrayed by the screen’s master. George Arliss, cast as the head of a big shoe producing company, i fills his part naturally. What he does is exactly what the public would expect of a man of that type. Harsh and grinding in his will power when in the light for business, but intensely human. It was one thing to fight a competitor and fight him hard and over the belt, but entirely a different thing to •stoop to unfair practice to worst him. And when that competitor dies the spirit of the fight is dead and the lighter who is left has lost a friend. “The Working Man” is based on the keen competition between two rival shoe companies of great magnitude and continental in their ramifications. Behind the Reeve Company is the brain, energy and personality of John Reeves (George Arliss), yet so great is the power of Reeves’ genius that it lulls a nephew into the belief that “youth at the helm” (the youth represented by the nephew), is really responsible for the success of the company. “I have the organisation working perfectly and you could very well take a trip to Europe,” the nephew wrote to the genius. “Last week’s issue of the called me the ‘Napoleon’ of business.” Reeves’ re- . action to advice of that sort is laughable. Under an assumed nam e he links up with the rival firm, and, with a touch of irony, writes to his “Napoleonic” nephew and signs himself “Wellington.” With such a plot weaved as a basis the story can proceed over many humorous and touching episodes. A pleasing lov e element has been introduced, a great portion of it finding expression through the boyhood love of Reeves for the wife of his business rival. He sees in the daughter of his one-time sweetheart the girl he loved long, long ago, and for the sake of “Love’s Own Sweet Song” he plays a game with his own company for the children of his dead opponent and to spite the supreme egotism of “youth at the helm.” After seeing this picture one would readily believe that it gave George Arliss a great deal of pleasure to play his part in it. One would like to think of him as revealing his own personality in the character of Reeves. His dynamic force will appeal to those who appreciate courage in the business world in a time of depression, and in this respect the picture will be of value to this country and to this city. Those wso love home life will understand and sympathise with his fatherly idiosyncrasies, his quaint, humorous attitudes, and those who like fishing will understand and support him in his friendship for Hank, the old fishing ground launchman. Supported by an excellent cast, particularly Miss Bette Davis as “Jenny,” tho business rival’s daughter, George Arliss has found “The Working Man” a triumph for his exceptional ability. This picture will live long in memory, because it is the type of picture the public really wants to see. It s supported by an excellent programme of shorts, a notable film being that of wild animal life in Africa. To-night the Wanganui Garrison Band will play on the Plaza Balcony, when the picture will be erpeated. It is also to be featured at the matinee to-day and again on Christ raafl night (Monday).