PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 22 June 1923, Page 5

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

Fox pictures in the production of ilexandre Dumas' famous "Count of lionta Cristo" have retold the story' on he screen with remarkable fidelity, and Jiey have given the story a beautiful setting. Interpreted by a fine cast, the film reproduces in vivid scenes the menatl picture created in the reading of the hook. .. "The Count of Monte Cristo," which, is being screened at the Paramount and.Artcraft.Theatres to-day, is romantic to the core; it does not deal ih probabilities so much as in possibilities. It is the possible in life that dogs the footsteps of the hero. Edmund pautes, the possibility of his marriage Jjeing marred, and of different people in unsuspected quarters playing a highly-im-portant and treacherous part in his chequered career. This fact, so impressive in the book, is conveyed in its full significance in the photo-play. The opening scenes lead up to the arrest of Dantes on account of his being an accessory, although an innocent one-, to a conspiracy to release Napoleon from Elba. A pawn of fate, his guilt is linked up with the private affairs of the man before whom he is accused, and the result is that he is spirited away to the Chateau d'lf to ensure his silence. The years go by, and the injustice of the situation fans to a hot flame in the heart of Dantes a desire for vengeance. Ho escapes from prison through the death of the abbe, a fellow-prisoner, who also has given him the clue to the treasures of Monte Cristo. Eventually he finds the island, and discovering the wealth it has hitherto hid, finds himself in possession of the means to combat the forces which have proved so disastrous in his life. The film depicts in forcible scenes the relentless war which Dantes prosecutes until the three main elements which have served to wreck his youth have paid the final penalty. The scenes of the Chateau d'lf and the fishing village of Marseilles have been reproduced with a faithfulness which leaves no room for criticism, while the country scenes are beautiful in their photographic effect. John Gilbert plays the part of Edmund Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, with a dignity ai]d restraint that is delightful. Estelle Tay lor gives the best work of her career as Mercedes, the betrothed of Dantes, while William V. Mong, that sterling character actor, makes old Caderoiise live as Dumas made him, a shifty-eyed, drunken scoundrel. In fact, 1 the entire cast iV.well chosen, even the smaller parts being entrusted to rr.eii and women who play them with a fine understanding.