"THE BLACK PIRATE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18912, 29 January 1927, Page 19

"THE BLACK PIRATE."

SEASON EXTENDED. GRAND THEATRE. The season of "The Black Pirate" has been extended another week, and this step on the part of the management is well merited. The popularity of the production has been considerable, for the public has become tired of the usual run of hackneyed society dramas, and mere spectacles, and welcomes a bold and original film such as this one 13. There can be no hesitation in saying that this is the finest pirate film ever shown on the screen, and it is something infinitely more than a piratical yarn, too. The story is one of those hoary ones which so delighted us in our more impressionable years, but which stiil holds a glamour and a fascination for the most prosaic—a story full of the most rascally and graceless villains, the bravest hero, the finest ship, the most mvsterious island, and, of course, the most beautiful lady. Everything receives the dignity of the superlative: which is just as it should be in a rollicking foray into the South Seas, marvellous waters where one can find anvthing from cabbages to kings. ."The Bla'ck Pirate" was produced by Douglas Fairbanks, who also plays the title role, and is characterised by a minute adherence to detail. The picture bears evidence of profouud research; everything is typical of the. period in which the action takes place, so that one feels that one is actually taking part in the hectic life among those ruthless but courageous sea-dogs v The romance of the tale is quarried from the richest field opened out to the romanticist, a colourful age and an equally colourful people. There is a vivid quality of actuality about the picture, which destines it to stand out as one of the most entertaining and care-fully-conceived film classics ever presented to the public. An interesting feature of the production is that it is done in technicolour. The natural colouring has been employed throughout, and it is this, next to the manner of the story's presentation, which makes it so realistic. It would seem that the method of film colouring has been perfected, for it is impossible to imagine any improvement being made on the colour work in this production. Never glaring, never intruding as it were, the soft and effective 6hades make the picture doubly enjoyable. There are some enthralling scenes which simply breathe the spirit of Long John Silver, Captain Kidd, and a few others Of the more exacting representatives of this thrilling profession. Events of individual cruelty, the looting, the firing of the powder trail, and huddled, helpless victims, the red explosion ending all for the captives, convey an impression of clamorous terror upon the screen, which is vibrantly dramatic and enormously exciting. One cannot witness this picture without a quickened pulse, even a quickened heart-beat, and the balancing elements of romance and light comedy bring the production up to a very high standard. Miss Billie Dove plays the feminine lead with exquisite .grace and simplicity, and is a bright figure .in these essentially masculine surroundings. The Grand Quality Orchestra will play special orchestral selections. The box plans are open at The Bristol Piano Company, where Mats may be reserved.