FILMED MANY TIMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

FILMED MANY TIMES.

«LES MISERABLES.”

The forthcoming release of a new cinema version of “Les Miserables,’ with Fredric March and Charles Laughton m the leading roles, recalls previous films of Victor Hugo’s immortal story. Probably no other classic of fiction has been screened quite so many times. With its colourful characters, its strong dramatic situations and its basis in deep moral problems, the novel has always fascinated film producers, and they have turned to it again and again. The new film is probably the fifth or sixth version, though not all these were shown in New Zealand, some of them being foreign productions. But at least two silent pictures based on the book were made in America and released here. A great silent version of “Les Miserables” was made in France in 1928. It was in two parts. The first part bore the title of the book; the second was released as “The Barricades.” In England, the two parts were shown as two separate films, either on alternate weeksj or one after the other. For. its day, it was a magnificent production, with a cast of 5000 players and over 6000 separate scenes. The French star, Gabriel Gabrio, played the role of Jean Valjean. The new production is the first talking picture of “Les Miserables.” While the scope of the subject necessitates its being a long film, it is by no means too long”to be seen at one. sitting, as was the case with the French version just mentioned. Charles Laughton, Fredric March and Sir Cedric Hardwicke are the new stare, in the roles of Javert, Jean Valjean and Bishop Bienvenu respectively. Their presence in the east indicates that; “Les Miserables” will be second to none so far as acting is concerned, while the producing studio is said to have put all its forces into the field to make it a lavish and spectacular entertainment.