Barometer

Cloudburst: "Ben Hur." Sunny: "The Wanting Countess."

Aw Heck

Ben Hur

(M.G.M.)

Z Cert.

What a spectable this film was.

A spectacle to end all spectacles and after seeing it I had to wipe my spectacles. Just on 20,000 feet of magnificent film. The big, sets, the control of the crowd of extras, the splendours of a Roman triumph, were all shown before my one tired eye. The great photography of the chariot race was almost as good as the Tour de France. The scenes were well acted, the characters genuine, the costumes magnificent. Charton Heston acted admirably and suffered superbly. This film almost achieved greatness because much of it was filmed in Italy. However, one must remember that this was a Holywood Production. If it had been a French or Italian production it would have been the film of the year. But it was American and therefore not to be recommended. I found the scenes "interminably attenuated, impoverished in dialogue and indifferently acted." High praise indeed considering that this was a lousy American Film.

The Wanting Countess

A Cert.

This was an Italian ! ! ! ! film and I was the first patron seated in the theatre. I was also the last, everyone else having left long before me, but this did not dampen my ardour. The acting in this film was poor. The dialogue was disjointed and unconvincing. High flown phrases sounded more suited to a Sunday School lesson. The censor had hacked the whole affair to death leaving a disjointed character opera in pretty costumes. However, one must not overlook the brilliant Italian colour photography, the brilliant Italian direction, the superb Italian scenery, in considering the merits of this film. My one eye gleamed with delight. Although the heroine's closing screams were echoed by the many patrons who left early, I was happy, I was in a sublime heaven of delight, the world was mine, I was at a Continental Film. "Ah, Holywood,

How can you compete?
Italy brings me joy,
With many less feet."