OPERA HOUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10562, 16 April 1928, Page 6

OPERA HOUSE.

“THE IiELOVEI) HOGUE’'

A motion picture individual in type, original in conception and treatment, such as “The Beloved Rogue” first of Barrymore’s screen contributions, under the United Artists’ banner, which opens to-night at tho Opera House. Sterling patriot and gentleman, skilled above all other versifiers of his time, and vet a housebreaker and profligate, Francois Villon, the beloved poet of the fifteenth century is “made to order” for Barrymore. What a succession of thrills Barrymore unfolds

in “The Beloved Rogue” for his audiences! At the beginning, the complex Villon plunging-, leaping, sliding down the picturesque, steeply pitched rooftops of Paris, bent on

thievery, while his bosom pals, Jehan and Nicholas, await in the snow-carpeted streets below to receive the loot and warn of the approach of the town watch. Then, named King of Fools on All Fools’ Day. he cavorts about m clownish attire, with grotesque, misshapen nose and heavy lips; a delightful caricature. Later comes his suit for the hand of Charlotte de Vauxcelles, ward of the king, with endless complications that lead him through tho most amazing adventures. “The Beloved Rogue” brings to the screen in Ins first American production the greatest of all Germany’s character actors. Conrad Veidt, in the role of King Louis XL His impersonation of.tho crafty, suspicious monarch is in itself a masterpiece. Petite Mareel ino Dav is a: revelation as 'Charlotte do Vauxcelles. Lawson Butt as the coldly calculating, scheming Duke of Burgundv, and Henry Victor, in the role of Thibault d’Aussignv. contribute another measure of merit to the production and Slim Summerville and Alack Swain, as the irrepressible Jehan and Nicholas, companions in crime and mischief, are another worthy team.