DE LUXE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1929, Page 4

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Predicted to ."set a new liigli standard of aspiro to," "The Cossacks," Metro-Goldwyn attraction extraordinary, opens Its New Zealand run with this evening's capital city presentation at the De Luxe Theatre. The very ,'title. "The Cossacks," breathes fighting: and romance —and truly the incessant action in the story, combined with n simple but powerful love appeal,'crowned wltli tha best work of John Gilbert, may well give intending patrons a! thrill of pleasurable anticipation I Wild horsemen in perilous rides; surging battles In mountain fastnesses; the soul of the-' Russian Cos'siick, Inured to hardship and educated only to love and battle; huart-stlrring encounters between Cossack; troop and fearless Turkish liordo; and a lovo story as exquisite as any within memory—these Indeed. are the ingredients of which box office draiv-cards are made —which bring patrons along with liiKh expectancy and send them away well satisfied. "The Cossacks" catches the very spirit of the hardiest fighters of all history, and indeed It should, for a troop of them was brought from Europe .to stage tho sensational rides and enact the peoplo of the Kussiau town In which tho action is laid. A complete town was among tho gigantic settings built for tho play, with Eovernl hundred Russians living in it.. Practically all tho picture was directed in Bussian, as, with tho exception of the principals, tho actors spolio no English. So it might almost as well have been actually made in Russia —and the spirit of the play shows it. This lovo story is set in the thunder of battle and the heat of adventure; massive iiugeness of setting adds to this impression. But there Is another note: tho intense fanatical.love of the old Cossack chief, played by Ernest Torrence, for his son. Gilbert Is the son, a swaggering young Cossack soldier to whom the great truths in life como in tlio,smoke of battle and the agony of torture. Grim .in spots, ' compelling jlu - realism, 'tho-;play, Is, none the less, one of the most beautiful of romances. George Hill directed the play in a masterly manner, from tho story by Frances Marlon, and the cast Includes .Itenee Adoree, Mary Alden as tho mother, Paul-Hurst, Neil Neely, Dale Fuller, and others, all splendidly cast. Hundreds of people and horses add animated masses; to the huge settings;, tho town, the Turkish fort, and tho .rugged mountain passes. It. :1s a story one. can never forget:, a veritable epic of the Cossack race, and one of John Gilbert's greatest triumphs of the screen. Metro-Gold-wyn Quality supporting attractions will bo In evidence. In addition to an incidental music programme of high standard, tho - combined artistry of tho Orchestra Do Luxe,and the Wurlltzer. orchestral unit, jointly under the direction of Emanuel, Aarons. Box plans are availablo at tho Bristol, Begg's, and Altken's (Courtenay place). ■;,.. '.■ '-- . ■■•■■ '\ . •