Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Theatre presents this week two feature pictures which from the comments of New York critics should provide ample entertainment. Richard Watts Jr. (N. Y. Tribune) concerning "The Passion of Joan of Arc" says:

"One of the very greatest of motion pictures. Such enthusiastic verdicts as 'masterpiece' and 'super-epic' are tossed about so freely that constant usage tends to destroy much of their value....but in discussing this film it is imperative to bring them out once more."

In the cast of "The Passion of Joan of Arc" are Falconetti as Joan, Silvain, M. Schutz, Ravet, and Andre Berly. The film was directed by Carl Dreyer and photographed by Rudolph Mate and Kotula.

"Die Privatsekretaerin," the other picture, is one of the earlier German movies, released in 1931 and has in it the charming Renate Mueller who has been seen in many of the lighter musicals.

University.

Starting Thursday at the University is that much talked about picture, "Flying Down to Rio". While not exactly the paragon that the press agents would have one believe, it nevertheless is notable for the presence of Fred Astaire and several good tunes, the best of which is that lecherous importation from South America, "La Carioca." This is the first time that Mr. Astaire has been given a chance to display his considerable talents, having for some inexplicable reason been relegated to a minor part in "Dancing Lady." At any rate, his insouciant dancing and impudent acting are now fully revealed in "Flying Down to Rio."

Metropolitan

Starting at the Metropolitan Theatre on Friday is an adaptation of the stage success, "Death Takes a Holiday."

"Death Takes A Holiday", adapted for the screen by Maxwell Anderson and Gladys Lehman from the famous stage play by Alberto Casella, and presents Frederic March, as a "shadow", Death. For three days, Death takes a holiday from his grim task to task life as a human being, and discover, if he can, what makes life so sweet, and himself, Death, so abhorrent. March, in the disguise of a handsome, adventurous gentleman, appears at a house party and throws himself into the circle of the sophisticated group. To each of the beautiful young women present, March makes love in turn. But none can create the true emotion of love in him, until he meets Grazia, played by Evelyn Venable, and with her, he learns the greatness of an immortal love just as a clock strikes the close of his holiday. Evelyn Venable. Sir Guy Standing, Gail Patrick and Kent Taylor are featured in the supporting cast.