"MONTE CRISTO."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19363, 16 July 1928, Page 6

"MONTE CRISTO."

WORLD'S GREATEST NOVEL ON SCREEN.

GRAND THEATRE, TO-DAT. The film version of Alexandre Dumas's "Count of Monte Cristo," is booked for a season at the Grand Theatre, commencing to-day. In the title role is John Gilbert, assisted by a company of distinguished artists, best kaovhx amongst whom are Estelle Taylor as Mercedes, Renee Adoree, George Siegmann, and Gaston Glass. Produced many times on the legitimate stage, translated into neurly every language, "Monte Cristo remains to this day the world's greatest v novel. Though bßsod in an age when ladies wore their hair and their gowns long, when gontlemen fought duels and parental obedience and respect wore virtuos of the younger generation "Monte' Cristo" haß the qualities of youth and immortality strong about it. The story is so very well known as to demand but the briefest mention. The mission in life of that mystrious personage known to the world as the Count of Monte Oristo was one of revenge, the subtler, tho deadlier, tho more overwhelming, the better. For as a yourig man, snatched from his bride's arms on the very morning of his marriage feast, he was thrown into the horrible fortress of Chateau D'lf, in the harbour of Marseilles, on a trumped-up political charge. The Magistrate who sentenced him desired.Edmond Dantes out of his way, for the young sailor possessed papers that would have damaged the lawyer's reputation in the eyes of the Bourbon King, then preparing to flee before Dantes' master, the escaped Emperor from Elba. The man who laid the information, the Spanish Fernand, desired Dantes bride; and there was another half-drurilcen personality who was prevailed upon to lend a necessary second signature. And fourteen years after, Dantes emerged from the Chateau d'lf, aged, white, embltterod, but possessed of fabulous wealth, the world his playground, his obsession the destruction of these three men, their womenfolk, their sons, their fortunes, and their good , names. And in the most subtle manner imaginable with almost infinite cunning and skill, with diabolical persistence, the Count of Monte Cristo works his vengeance. John Gilbert gives a really splendid performance, at all times a powerful, if inherently pathetic figure. Next in merit comes the three men who portray Villesfort, Fernand, and Danglars, while Estelle Taylor nad Renee Adoree, with Virginia Brown Faire as the Greek Haidee, are less harsh personalities whose appearance is always pleasing. The Grand Quality Orchestra plays an appropriate score of music. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.