MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 11

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA.” Warner Bros.’ magnificent contribution to the talking screen, “The Life of Emile Zola," commencing to-day at the Majestic Theatre, is not a oneman show. Paul Muni, the star, deserves to take the first bow, but in the general line-up are thirty-five principals, some of whom are stars on stage or screen, and all ot whom manage to inject life into the characters surronding the life of Zola. The part of Captain Dreyfus is played to the hilt by Joseph Schildkraut. His performance resembles a series of line portraits; the bewildered officer stripped of his honour; the feverridden prisoner on Devil's Island; and the man restored to life and position. When, as the pardoned prisoner, he steps fearfully through the prison door to breathe freedom once more, after four years of pestilence and hopelessness, he contributes a superb piece of acting and an unforgettable moment to the production. Gale Sondergaard, winner of the 1936 Academy Award for the best supporting performance, cast as Dreyfus' wife, makes a strong character out of a wisp of a historical figure, and the French Army officers are well played, Henry O’Neill as Colonel Picquart, Louis Calhern in the role of Major Dort, and Robert Barrat as Colonel Esterhazy, the real traitor. The characters who feature in the early days of Zola's literary career include Cezanne, the artist; Nana, the inspiration of Zola’s first successful novel; and Charpentier, the publisher. Cezanne is admirably portrayed by Vladimir Sokoloff. Of the fifty settings constructed for the production the most effective are the Assize Court in the Palais of Justice where Zola is tried for libel, after his “I Accuse” editorial, and the Pantheon where Zola’s eulogy is delivered by Anatole France. In the court room scene Donald Crisp is excellent as Labor!, Zola's attorney, and he fairly booms his condemnation of the French military conspiracy which ensnared Dreyfus.