MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 85, 12 April 1940, Page 7

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“SAN FRANCISO.” M.G.M.’s “San Francisco,” with Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald sharing the starring roles, is to commence a return season of two days today at the Majestic Theatre. For the first time, the rugged, two-fisted Gable of old and the lovely Miss MacDonald, with her glorious voice, are brought together, with Spencer Tracy also sharing the honours. “San Francisco” contains drama, love interest, comedy, and spectacle, Gable has the rough-and-tough type of role in which his screen public likes him best. Miss MacDonald appears in the ideal part to give her opportunity to sing, and her voice is heard to splendid effect. The story, which was directed by W. S. Van Dyke, the man who made “Naughty Marietta,” concerns the Barbary Coast of 30 years ago, opening on New Year’s Eve, 1906, and continuing through one of the most disasI trous dramas of the century—the San Francisco earthquake and fire. Gable has never been seen to greater advantage. He gives a perrormaace that! stands out for its power and sharply-1 etched character delineation. Miss ( MacDonald, singing songs which range from simple ballads to glorious operatic arias, surpasses even her superb work in “Naughty Marietta.”