Theatre

If you submit your attention humbly to the proper guidance you may be able to detect a propaganda meaning between the lines, or, rather, between the flickers, of the Warner Brothers picture, “Voltaire”, starring George Arliss, which you may be able to see from next Tuesday evening. Otherwise, all you will be seeing will be a rather interesting historical costume drama on the life of that great fighter against injustice and intolerance, poet, wit and pamphleteer, Voltaire, born Arouet. My suggestion to those who may see the picture is that they do not strain too hard to look for between-line meanings and messages in what is, by and large, a rather god hour and a half of entertainment. It is also unwise for those who happen to be familiar with the life and times of Voltaire to expect a faithful historical record. The picture, after all, was made from a novel, which must have taken obvious liberties with the biographical record, and not from the record itself. We need not, however, too seriously resent the liberty, for example, taken in the shots wherein the books and effigy of Voltaire are burnt in a public square, for we see in this scene an obvious attempt to parallel, historically, the Nazi book-burning of last May. George Arliss himself does an excellent turn in the title role, and after him the over-simplified villain plays ably at an ungrateful role. The subordination of the sex element will make the spectator feel that he is looking on at something serious and historical. Whatever assurance this picture may give some of us that intolerance and injustice do not always triumph, I am afraid the Nazis—should they take the trouble to see it—will miss most of the lessons, if any, intended for their chastening.

JENNIE’S FIRST PLAY

Jennie Goldstein, Jewish actress, has obtained the rights to a new play called “The Nayder” and it will serve as the first vehicle of her season, beginning September 21 at the Prospect Theatre in the Bronx. The author is Herman Lieberman, Sunday editor and critic of the New York Jewish Forward. It is his first play. As director, Miss Goldstein has obtained the services of David Herman, of Warsaw, who produced “The Dybuk” in that city. It will be his first visit to this country.

TO FILM WANDERING JEW

Herman Ross, president of the Ross Enterprises, has organized a new Jewish art motion picture concern which is to be similar in scope to the Yiddish Art Theatre. The company plans to bring to the talking screen classics of Yiddish literature in which leading players of the Jewish and American stages are to be featured. Ross has already signed Jacob Ben-Ami to star in “The Wandering Jew”, the first production of the series.