OPERA HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 120, 24 May 1941, Page 7

OPERA HOUSE

“THE GREAT DICTATOR” The great and inimitable Charles Chaplin, who lor a generation has maintained pre-eminen; e as the leading comedian of the screen, returns to the screen in “The Great Dictator,’ the master work upon which he bent his tireless energies for two years anu the picture which is causing international repercussions. "The Great Dictator,” which commence;! its Wanganui season yesterday before large audiences at the Opera House, is a film that stands alone as the shining achievement of a brilliant man, and it will continue to enjoy this unique individuality for many years. Chaplin has put all his artistry and craftmanship into this picture. The theme Chaplin chooses springs from the dreams of millions—the lighthearted ridiculing of the forces that oppress the average man of the workaday world. In order to achieve this, Chaplin selects as his central character the one personality alive in the world to-day who, more than any other human, guides those forces oi oppression against the innocent peoples of the world. He chooses Hitler. Perhaps it was one of the whims of providence that gave Chaplin the truncated moustache years ago which Hitler adopted much later. Whatever the reason, most people are ready to agree that Chaplin made the moustache famous and Hitler made it infamous. Chaplin portrays "The Great Dictator” in the spirit of satire, comedy and denunciation. He dons the robes and gestures of Hitler, but uses hem with the buffoonery and genius of Chaplin. He rants and preens himself with all the false bravura of the world's worst enemy. Chaplin’s burlesque of the overlord of middle Europe is excruciatingly funny. No person who sees it can fail to be rocked with laughter.