MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 152, 29 June 1934, Page 7

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“Catherine the Great” t The Majestic Theatre to-day can boast of a programme whicu rs outstanding in its supports as wen as in its feature Jilm—“Catherine the Great,” with .Elizabeth Bergner in the name pait. It is easy enough to make au interesting spectacle out of a film based on history, but it taxes a great deal more skill on the part or both producer and actors to make such a film interesting as a human story. And this is chiefly where the success of “Catherine the Great” lies—thanks m Hie main to the unusual ability ot Elizabeth Bcrgner, and tlte assistance given her by Flora Robson as the Empress Elizabeth and Douglas Fairbanks junr. as the mad Grana Duke Peter. For a historical film it l s notable in having a complete plot, and in revealing a real development in its main character. In all this, Bcrgner --she deserves that title—shows that her fame as an actress on the legitimate stage—she made “Baint Joan” a success for Bernard Bhaw In Germany—has not exaggerated her ability. IShe is not beautiful by conventional film standards. She is small, with wellmade features and expressive eyes. Expression and grace of movement are the qualities which mark her out as an actress, and which show that reai acting is needed for the films. Most film faces are mere empty masks, but Bergner’s is alive, and she conveys meaning not merely by her voice and the obvious devices of tears ur laughter, but subtlety by her whole features. But it must not be thought that she is all actress and nothing woman; in “Catherine the Great” she achieves a moving and wistful beauty. Douglas Fairbanks junr. makes a thorough success of the part of the Grand Duke Peter, and swings with ease from one mood to another. Flora Robson is even bet ♦er as the Empress Elizabeth, and Sir Gerald du Mauricr gives a polished performance as the Frenchman Le Cocq. The first half of the programme is worth seeing for itself alone. It includes an Australian newsreel, some startlingly interesting scenes or the lives of fish in Caribbean depths in “Under-water Marvels,” and a Walt Disney Mickey Mouse cartoon “Camping Out.”