"MADAME POMPADOUR."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19202, 7 January 1928, Page 7

"MADAME POMPADOUR."

DOROTHY GISH IN FAMOUS

ROLE,

EVERYBODY'S. MOXDAY.

Is is a far try from an attic in Paris and a kitchen-maid mother to the Palace of Versailles and a King for a lovor. It is a further cry from 1928 to France under Louis XV., yet that is just what is accomplished in the film, "Madame Pompadour," which heads an attractive bill at Everybody's Theatre next week. Even those who have never hroused in the records of the period of 1715 to 1774 are well acquainted with the names of the Marquise de Pompadour, the beautiful child of the people who be' came the most hated woman in France who ruled the court, who sent armies and navies to destruction, and dallied with the affections of groat men, only to fall disastrously in lovo with a poor young poet. The picture. Pompadour," produced by Herbert Wilcox, who made "Nell Gwyane," tells a true episode of the life of this pleasureseeker, perhaps the most sincere page out of her. book of life; certainly it has the truest ring of any of her bold exploits. Tins fascinating story, set in a gilded period, when courtly ffontlemeD and coquettish ladies danced their gavottes and courannes, is not merely the hectic and sensational record of the rise and fall of Jeanne Poissons; not merely n storv of illicit love and sordid, Duma-like intrigue. True, there are plots, against the Pompadour, and 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 (one of the play, when Pompadour and bcr poet steal a few hours in a Paris tavern; scenes of tense drama, when her power is slipping awß.v; scheming:; of a frightened woman to win hack, her kingly lovor; it is all sheer suspense, cunningly played by the master • hand of Wilcox and A. E. 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 lntriguo broods over all. Tho picture is superbly produced; it is Fiance under the most pleasure-loving monarch of them all, fair women and brave men rovelling in it while the storm clouds gathered. The court scenes are glimpses of indescribable beauty, with all the ceremony and grace of that time. As the Marquise do Pompadour, Dorothy Gish gives a performance that is an advance oven upon her Nell Gwynne. In exteriors. Pompadour wbs the 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 maguificent portrayal. Antonio Moreno is Reno Laval, the poet, Moreno at his beat; while the Louis of Henri .Bosc is impressive in its kinglinoss and hidden fears for himself and his mistresß. The Marquise's witchlike old mother is well plsyed by Marsa Beauplan. Altogether, "Aladame Pompadour" is a handsomely produced story of one of tho greatest loves pf history, certainly a portrait .of one of history's most, celebrated women, and the whimsical and wistful Miss Gish is tho only choice for the role. The New Zealand Censor of Films has recommended this picturo as more suitable for adult audiences. A second feature will be the comedy drama, "Syncopating Sue,'" in which the world's best-dressed woman is starred. A blending of excellent comedy and democratic romance make "Syncopating Sue" a most amusing and entertaining story. The Select Orchestra, under Mr Albert Bldgood, plays the following programme: Overture, "The Celebrated Prelude" (Rachmaninoff), "Military Symphony" (Haydn), "In An Old World Garden" (Ketelby); selections from "Monsieur Beaucaire" (Messenger), "Tho Duchess of Danztic" (Caryll), "Mada'mo Pompadour" (Fall), strings, "Pastel Minuet Vif" (Parades), "Farewell to Cucullain," arranged by Kreisler; "Gavotte Louis XIII.," "Two Salon Pieces" (Ireland), entr'acte, "Minuet" (Padercwski). The box plans aTe now open at The Bristol Piano Company.