Romance and Intrigue

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 232, 28 June 1935, Page 16

Romance and Intrigue

JT is doubtful whether British International Pictures have ever made a finer film than “Abdul the Damned,” the story of the last of the Sultans of Turkey, which was screened privately in Wellington during the week. The film Is brimful of intrigue, treachery, romance and action. There are so many good points about “Abdul the Damned” that it. is hard to know which one to mention first. For one thing, the film has one of the finest casts ever assembled in anv one picture. Headed by the celebrated Continental star, Fritz Kortner, who plays the title role, the list of stars includes Nils Asther (who. for about the first time in his career, has a part that'enables him to display his prowess as an actor): the beautiful Adrienne Ames. John Stuart, Esme Percy and Clifford Heatherly. The settings are as bizarre as they ate wonderful. All the mystery and glamour of Turkey seems to have been caught by the director. Carl Grune. and been transported to the screen by means of the scenery in this remarkable picture. The dialogue is most intriguing and holds the interest from start to finish. To disclose the workings of tne strong plot would be to spoil a r eally fine entertainment, and as for the brilliance of the acting and the directing, one could go on describing “ad lib.”