PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 9

PLAZA THEATRE

“THE GREAT MAN VOTES” AND “ANNABELLE TAKES A TOUR” That a man who is great to his children owes it to them to prove himself great to the rest of the world is the theme of “The Great Man Votes,” commencing to-day at the Plaza Theatre, presenting John Barrymore as the hero, with other roles of importance filled by seven-year-old Peter Holden and 11-year-old Virginia Weidler. The story deals with the life of a watchman on a big city building project, Gregory Vance (Lionel Barrymore), who, with his two children, lives in a tumble-down home among the skyscrapers. Once a famous historian and educator, Vance lost his inspiration when his wife died some years before. A school feud between the children and the son of the wealthy owner of the new building results in the children meeting their rich relatives and their father losing his job. However, an election is coming along, and the wealthy owner, McCarty (Donald Mcßride), finds that skyscrapers have encroached on the local precinct to such an extent that Vance is the only registered voter left. Vance thus finds himself in a position to dictate his own terms. On the same programme is the sparkling comedy, “Xnnabelle Takes a Tour.” Lucille Ball, as the actress Annabelle, contributes a brilliant performance to the hilarious story of her ad-ven-tures, and Jack Oakie, amusing as ever, also gives a sterling performance. “Sixty Glorious Years”

Following closely on the greatest British film ever made, “Victoria the Great,” R.K.0.-Radio’s “Sixty Glorious Years” now reaches the screen as the greatest masterpiece ever to have emanated from a British studio. The film heads Friday’s bill at the Plaza Theatre. When Mr. Wilcox decided to make the new film, starring the

same players, Anna Neagle and Anton Walbrook, he found the authorities ready to grant him even more generous facilities for making use of authentic material and locales. The film contains the crowded and stirring scenes of the Royal Crystal Palace exhibition and episodes from the wars that, darkened Victoria’s reign; but predominant are the two figures who are the centre of all these events.