DRAMATIC FILM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 3

DRAMATIC FILM

“SOUTH RIDING" AT PLAZA Hailed as one of the most successful dramatic films of the year, “South Riding,” the filmisation of Winifred Holtby’s best-selling novel of that title, is to screen next Wednesday at the Plaza Theatre. The main characters are superbly played by a distinguished cast headed by four popular stars, Ralph Richardson, Edna Best, Ann Todd, and Edmund Gwenn. The well-known story revolves around the intrigue of shire politics which takes place as a result of a scheme for slum clearance in the County of South Riding. Founder of the scheme is Aslell (John Clements), a conscientious social reformer. Ralph Richardson is sen as, the proud, conservative Squire Came, tragically burdened b poverty and a demented wife (Ann Todd). Events move quickly to a gripping climax, which results in happiness for some, disgrace for others, and successful fruition of Astell’s housing plan.

June Lang AJJed. June Lang is the latest important addition to the all-star cast of Hal Roach's production, “Captain Fury," previously titled "Captain Midnight.” Miss Lang, who has hitherto played only romantic screen roles, will play her first straight dramatic role in this picture.

Popular in North. Fifth in the Motion Picture Herald’s new poll of money-making British stars is Sandy Powell. Last year he wasn’t even mentioned. This year he proves himself more popular than such players as Anna Neagle, Robert Donat. Conrad Veidt, Sabu, and Madeleine Carroll. North British music hail audiences have known Sandy since he was seven years old, for at that age he first helped his mother with a marionette show “on the boards.” He has always been popular with northern audiences, but it is only comparatively recently that southerners have had a chance to appreciate Sandy’s humour. His next film appearance will be in Action Pictures "Song in Soho.” Merle Oberon.

“As far as she was concerned, her first film, 'Aren’t We All?’ was not a great success. She had cne line, and it was cut out. Merle is one of the few actresses I know who have not been spoiled by success. Most of them, when they become stars, hardly speak to the friends of old times. It is partly fear of being reminded of humble beginnings. It is difficult to judge heights on the films, so I might mention that Merle is a . 511. 2in. pocketstar, and wears a J shoe. The film that she always dreamed of playing in was ‘Dark Angel,’ which she saw as an old silent film. But it was Anne Boleyn that really made her famous.”. "Merle Oberon, whose marriage to Alexander Korda, the famous producer, has been rumoured,” writes the Sunday Dispatch gossip writer, "is one of Korda's many discoveries. She once told where the ’Oberon’ came from. Korda suggested it as a variation of O’Bryen. But what I have forgotten is whether O’Bryen was her mother's maiden name. Anyway it is nothing to do with a ‘Midsummer Night's Dream.' When I first met her she was Estelle Thompson and was wosJdng as a dancing-part-ner at the Cafe de Paris—£2 a week and dinner thrown in. At the time that was not so bad for she had refused to return to working as a typist in her uncle’s Calcutta office. She was born in Tasmania and not, as I many think, in India."