PLAZA THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 5

PLAZA THEATRE.

Victor Hugo's vivid etory, "The Man Who Laughs," commenced a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday and the largeaudience was thrilled and delighted with the film presentation of thie classical romance. Spectacular and thrilling, the film is a triumph of cinematographic art. The story concerns a maimed mountebank and a beautiful blind girl, the main roles being assumed by Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. A small boy, his face mutilated into a "horrible grin., by order of James 11.. because his father ie a political enemy. i.= abandoned on the coaet of England by kidnappers. He find* a baby girl clasped in the arms of its dead mother. He takes the child and finds sanctuary in the circus van of Ursus. Years pass and the girl grows up to be Dea, the blind maid, and the boy becomes a famous clown. Subsequently tho clown turne out to be the rightful owner o: a title. In this Queen Anne sees an opportunity to discipline her half-sister, Duches* Joeiaua, who has incurred th-e royal displeasure. The clown is therefore restored to his wealth, and it i≤ decreed that he is to marry Joeiana. Intrigue follows, ana the circus troup ie banished. The clown renounces his title and hastens out of th<? country to rejoin Dea and Ursus. Hugo's romance is rich in material for the screen, and the characterisations are remarkable. The period is between 1890 and 1705, ana the setting and costumes convey a faitlifu] impression of one of the most interest ing periods in English history. Paul Leni, the director, has infused a wealth of detail into his reproductions of the England of Queen Anne's reign. The replicas of the Court, Parliament, Southwark Fair, and London etreet scenes, are admirably done. The filming of "The Man Who Laughs" ira? sponsored by Carl Laemmie, the same motion-picture impressario who brought Hugo's "The Hunchback of Xotrc Dame' , to the screen. The same producer was instrumental in presenting the Frenchmade film "Les Miserables" to screen lovers. Those two photo dramas have now become ecreen classics. The latest representation of Hugo's geniue ie even more of a success, not only vith readers of the great French author, but with all lovers of gripping drama and colourful romance. The ocular appeal of the film * splendidly seconded by a special musical score under the baton of Mr. Howard Moody, whose orchest ra played excellently throughout the Mr. Hartley Warburton pleaeivl with his rendering of "Laugh, Clown. Lau,;V and "When Love Comes Stealing." He was in good voice, and was loudly n:>;i!n;ided for his contributions. Tho supporting programme included "Collegians" and other excellent it-ems. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. There will be a complete change of programme at St. James' Theatre to-night, when George Wallace's famous r*vue company will appear in "The Pickled Porter." George, as a much harassed porter, will be eeen in fre*h humour, and if hie previous efforts are any criterion the house should be in roars of laughter throughout the evening. The vocaL musical and dancing items have all been well chosen, as ie usual with "The House of Fuller."