PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 1, 2 January 1936, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

“THE GUV’NOR” Now generally regarded as one of the finest character actors of recent years, George Arliss makes a further screen appearance in “The Guv ’nor, n the British film which is enjoying a season before an exceptionally large audiences at the Plaza Theatre. Air. Arliss recently announced his decision to concentrate on English studio work in future and the new production augurs well for tho Home studios. Directed skilfully, with an excellent plot and artistic photography, “The Guv’nor” can be regarded as an outstanding film in every way. Cast as a grubby old tramp Mr. Arliss gives a splendid performance that has been described by critics in England, the United States and on the Continent as one of his finest to date. A more diflicult role for a man accustomed to portraying such dignified characters as the Duke of Wellington, Cardinal Richelieu and Nathan Rothschild would be hard to imagine. However, Arliss gives yet further proof of his amazing versatility and enhances his already enviable reputation. The story concerns the dwindling fortunes of an ancient French family, which has got into the ' debt of the banks. Arliss desires to J help them, as a girl of the house has befriended him in the past. He startles I members of the. famous House of I Rothschild by revealing that he is a I long-forgotten black sheep of the i family. Unless he is made a substantial grant he- will broadcast this infor- ■ mation to the world at large. Tho | money, naturally enough, is fortheom- | ing and the old tramp is able to ex-

tricate his friends from their difficulties. A capable supporting cast is headed by Gene Gerrard. As is usual at the Plaza the shorter films on the programme are most entertaining. Probably the most popular of the supporting pictures is an hilarious comedy entitled “Then Came tie Yawn,” n brilliant burlesque. The leading parts are taken by two gentlemen named John Manymore and Boris Plaster, described as the “eternal lover” and the “fiend’’ respectively.