MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 154, 2 July 1938, Page 11

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"THE FIREFLY” Foremost musical picture of the year, and probably in screen history, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's adaptation of Rudolf Frlml's operetta “The Firefly” commences at the Majestic Theatre, to-day, with Jeanette MacDonald starred, and Allan Jones and Warren William In featured roles. Here is screen artistry at its height. The dramatic story of Spain in the era when Napoleon was conquered at Vittoria by Wellington provides a moving plot as vast and impressive as any that could be filmed. Jeanette MacDonald appears m her seventeenth musical triumph, and it is unmistakably her finest. Allan Jones emerges as a star in his own right. Warren William performs with his accustomed artistry. Filmed in the High Sierras and on thirty tremendous sets, the picture reveals a background of unsurpassed beauty. Dramatically and musically, it is superb. Hunt Stromberg and Robert Z. Leonard, who produced and directed last year's Academy Award winning film, “The Great Ziegfeld,” again combine their abilities here. Five of the seven musical features are from Frlml's original operetta and he wrote the other two especially for the picture. The excellent supporting cast includes Lily Gilbert, Henry Daniell, Douglas Dumbrille, Leonard Penn, Tom Rutherford, Belle Mitchell, George Zucco, Corbett Morris and Matthew Boulton, with an enormous group of costumed extras. Miss MacDonald dances with rare grace and sings “Love is Like a Firefly,” “He Who Loves and Runs Away,” and "When a Maid Comes Knocking at Your Heart.” Jones sings "A Woman’s Kiss” and “The Donkey Serenade,” and they join in duet in “Giannina Mia” and Sympathy.” The whole score is gay with brilliant Spanish melody and the film has been staged on a scale of unrestricted beauty that could be possible only in Hollywood. Jeanette MacDonald scores a personal triumph in the title role as the colourful dancing girl of Madrid. Allan Jones has his finest acting and singing role, and Warren William adds new laurels to his reputation as a distinguished actor. “The Firefly” is the screen’s most illuminating example of its own artistic ideals.