GEORGE ARLISS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 15 (Supplement)

GEORGE ARLISS.

HIS FIRST ENGLISH FILM. AS DUKE OF WELLINGTON. The film of George Arliss In “The Iron Duke" was screened at the Tivoli Theatre, London, on November 3U, to a distinguished assembly, headed by H.R.'H, the Prince of Wales. This performance, which Inaugurated a run at the Tivoli, was In aid of the Reconstruction Fund, Hospital for Sick Children. The story of the film oovers the years 1815-1816, commencing with the* Vienna Conference, which, by reason of the lavish entertainment staged by • the Austrian Chancellor, Metternich, for the visiting kings and plenipotentiaries, has been set down in history as "The Dancing Congress." An immense set was constructed for this, a faithful reproduction of the setting and. scene of the original congress.

During the conference, when the various members are engaged on the dismemberment of France, a despatch is handed to Wellington, played by George Arliss. He rises to his feet: “Gentlemen, I am afraid you are skinning the lion before he is dead. Napoleon has'escaped from Elba." The Eve of Waterloo. The flight from Paris of the Bourbon King, Louis XVIII., was followed by the Hundred Days which brought the allies to the eve of Waterloo, and inevitably to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, in Brussels. The whole of one vast stage at Shepherd’s Bush was utilised for the ball scenes, one of the most lavish and costly sets 'erected in.; the studios. Glittering chandeliers; stately pillars, furniture and fittings, correct as to period: against them a gay oompan'y of officers in glittering uniforms and women in costumes of varied colours, the whole a moving kaleidoscope to the strains of the musio of the dance.

Twenty-four men from the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, under their own pipe major,'and to the skirl of the pipe, danced ancient sword danoes and reels. Dominating the assembly was the figure of George Arliss in a uniform ablaze with orders and decorations.

The reconstruction of the historic Battle of Waterloo has been no sinecure. Whilst the aotual 'battle took place In Belgium, the film counterpart has taken plaoe in such widely separated places as Salisbury Plain and in Scotland. The latter venue resulted from a natural desire on the part of the director to use a regiment that made a famous charge in the battle —the Scots Greys. “Up, Guards, and at Them!” Other battle scenes were filmed on Salisbury Plain, where the famous phrase,' “Up, Guards, and at thenil was spoken by the Duke of Wellington to regiments of infantry appearing ip the film as the Guards, and forming the famous square whose fire shattered Napoleon’s Old Guard. The story follows the replacement of King Louis on the Throne of France and of Wellington’s return to 'England to appear in the House of Lords and face the fire of his fellow peers as firmly as he faced his foes \n battle. To their charges that he, as negotiator for England, had failed to bring back material rewards, Arliss rose and withered the antagonistic assembly with a phrase that has become famous: “ Gentlemen, you could have nan your pound of flesh, but you would have plunged your knife into the heart of Europe. Our rewards will bo found in the attainment of the pur'pose for. which we fought: Peaoe in Europe and the salvation world from unexampled tyranny." The film shows. Wellington as a great statesman; a devoted husband, and develops the human and Intimate side as well as that of the soldier It is peculiarly appropriate fhat Arliss’s first role In British films should be that of Britain’s great soldierstatesman.

A Brilliant Cast.

Surrounding George Arliss in the picture is a brilliant cast of playersGladys Cooper, Ellaline Terylss A. E. Matthews, Emlyn Williams, Lesley Wareing, Norma Var-den, Allan Aynesworth, Franklyn DyaU, Edmund Willard, Peter Gawthorne, Felix Aylmer, and many another well-known aitis •