"MADAME POMPADOUR."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19201, 6 January 1928, Page 5

"MADAME POMPADOUR."

DOROTHY GISH IN FAMOUS ROLE.

KVt-KXBOJJX'S, MONDAY

H is a far cry from an aitic iu Paris and a kitchen-iuaid mother to tho Palace of Versailles and a King for a lover. It is u further cry from 1928 to France under Louis XV., yet that is just what is accomplished in - tho film, "Madame Pompadour," which heads an attractive bill at Everybody's Theatre next week. Even those who have never broused. in the l'ocords of the period of 1715 to .1774 are woll acquainted with tho names of the Marquise do Pompadour, ■ the beautiful child of the people who became the most hated woman in Franco, who ruled the court, who sent armies and navies to destruction, and dallied with the affections of. great men, only to i'all disastrously in love with a poor young.poet. The picture, "Pompadour," produced by Herbert Wilcox, who made "Nell Gwynue," tells 0 truo episode of tho life of this pleasureseeker, . perhaps the most sincere page out of ,'her book of life; certainly it has tho truest ring of uuy of her bold exploits. This fascinating story, set in a gilded period, when courtly gentlemen and coquettish ladies danced their gavottes and courannes, is not merely tho hectic and sensational record of the rise and fall of Jeanne Poissons; not merely a story of illicit love and sordid, Duma-like intrigue. True, there are plots, against the Pompadour, nnd plots fostered by this arch-conspiratrcss, but for the most this picture is a romantic drama of Louis, his mistress, his long-suffer-ing Queen, and his dissatisfied court, with the sinister figure of the Prefect of Police thrown in to nonpluss the Power behind the Throne. Moments of purer, more idyllic romance temper the gay and unconcerned tone of the play, when Pompadour and her poet steal a few honrs in a Paris tavern; scenes of tense drama, when her power is slipping away; schemings of a frightened woman to win back her kingly lover; it is all sheer suspense, cunningly played by the master hand of Wilcox and A. 13. Dupont, who made "Variety." When Dorothy Gish and Antonio Moreno hold the brilliant stage it is all romance; when Henri Bosc, as King Louis, appears, it is vital drama; and a realistic atmosphere of conspiracy and intrigue broods over all. The picturo is superbly produced; it is France under the most plea sure-loving monarch of them all, fair women and brave men revelling in it while the storm clouds gathered. The court scenes aro glimpses of indescribable beauty, with all the ceremony and grace of that time. As the Marquise de Pompadour, Dorothy Gish gives a performance that is an advance even upon her Nell Gwynne. In exteriors, Pompadour was tho steely woman of the world, herself first; but tho final scene sees the woman, a subtle revelation that rounds off with a fine human touch her magnificent portrayal. Antonio Moreno is Rene Laval, the poet. Moreno at his best; while the Louis of Henri Bosc is impressive in its kingliness and hidden fears for himself and his mistress. The Marquise's witchlike old mother is well played by Marsa Beaunlan. Altogether. "Madame Pompadour" is a handsomely produced story 0 * one of the greatest loves of history, certainly a portrait of one of history's most celebrated women, and the whimsical and wistful -Miss Gish is the only choice for the role. Box plans are now open. The New Zealand Censor of Films has recommended this picture as more suitable for adult audiences.