The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-28
PAUL MUNI STAR |OF STATE SHOW
Character Star Better Than Ever in "Life of
 Emile Zola"

Paul Muni, who gave motion pie lures a new impetus with his por- trayal of Pasteur, comes to Warner Brothers State theater Friday in 8 brilliant new biography, the true and dramatic Life of Emile zola." This vivid page from history be- longs among the finest films, not just of this year but of Hollywood's long history.
 The picture has great subject, one handled ty writers and director with excellent taste as well as show manship. No one could go Tar wrong with @ dramatizatton ot Zolas courag ,ous fight to save the life of a man he had never met. But few would have made of 1t Q picture so satisfying in every detail of storytelling, casting and at- mosphere.
 To MT. Muni, as usual, must go much of the credit for the pictures effectiveness. Equalling, if not top. ping, his difficult role in "The Good Earth" he gives to this new tilm another complete and extraordinar- fly convincing characterization.
 This Is no personality boy. This Is an actor, one of the very few willing to subordinate his own ami- able personality before the cameras. There Is never hint that this IS Paul Muni. It is zola, the eager, hot-headed youth, the self-satisfied man of middle age, the valiant ana again hot-headed crusader ap" preaching his last days, who fills tho screen. The movies need more ac- tors. There Is only one Muni.
 MT. Muni hac, deservedly, as juicy a role as any actor could wish. He plays the young author always embattled against injustice and cor ruption. His crusading brings him fame and financial success. He IS content with his lot. Then comes the Dreyfus scandal. A young otti- cer is accused of selling military secrets, convicted, drummed out Of the army and sentenced to Devils Island.
 It took long to get zola interested. Everyone tried, Anatole France, Clemenceau, all his own friends, Madame zola's broken-hearted plea at last awoke his old crusading spirit. His fight begins, and carries on through that bitter dramatic trial to a triumphant and world famed victory.
 The story, one that shaped the history of modern France, takes place against an unobtrusive ana yet never forgotten background of French history. Atmosphere and settings are extraordinarily believ- able, so real that they diminish from the drama itself. Paris slowly changes as zola grows from a bitter youth to 8 prosperous man of let- ters. His friends change too, among them Paul Cezanne, played by Vladimir Sokoloff as though he had just stepped out of a Cezanne self- portrait.
 The supporting cast includes Erin O'Brien-M Moore, Joseph Schild" kraut, Gale Sondergaard and other Hollywood favorites. MT. Muni and Warner Brothers again deserve con" graduation and gratitude of every one who enjoys a truly great picture.
 "The Life of Emile zola" will play at the State four days only, Friday to Monday night. It will be shown for the last time nightly at approx imately 9:30. The companion feature will be "Over The Goal" a rousing football story that Is timely and ID keeping with proper program bal ance. Truly the State has a splen- did twin feature program to present its patrons this weekend. \