GREAT MUSIC DRAMA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20514, 15 March 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

GREAT MUSIC DRAMA.

"LA MARSEILLAISE" COMPLETED Filming of " La Marseillaise," Univermusic drama of the French Revolution, starring Miss Laura La Plante and John Boles, has been completed at Universal City. A new kind of sound and talking picture will be revealed when the) film is shown, according to studio announcements. Because the particular blending of music and drama which distinguishes the structre of "La Marseillaise" is unioue, it is difficult to find a descriptive term fen*, the sound drama of the Revolution. Until musical critics themselves discover a riiore accurate and definite name for tho genre which " La Marseillaise introduces to sound pictures, the term "music drama" will serve to designate the innovation. "' La Marseillaise' is the first real music drama of the screen," 'Mr. Carl Laemmle, Jr.,. declared. " There have been elaborate musical shows, employing large casts and choruses; there have been light opera; thero have been other sound pictures in which the spectacular, either in scenic backgrounds or big sets, was stressed. But 'La Marseillaise ' will bo the first real music drama. It is a spectacle employing tremendous crowds, but different from other screen spectacles in its marked operatic quality. " The story by Houston Branch, concerns the birth of tho song which fanned the flames of tho French Revolution. The chief malo character, Rouget de Lisle, played by John Boles, is the composer of the song. Dramatic music is thus the essence of the picture. "In the vital situations such as do Lisle's / appearance before the King after he tried unsuccessfully to aid Marie {Miss La Plante) to escape, the dramatic effect is "carried more by what Boles sings than by what he says. Again he sings' to Marie the beautiful love songs specially written by Charles Wakefield Cadman. ' " The operatic idea is carried out in the scene where Boles, as de Lisle, composes, and at. the same time sings the Marseillaise itself. "In the climax the great mobs of extras, numbering thousands, are photographed against the background of vivid drama, with their battles, the , crackle of their muskets, the booming of their .cannon, and their mighty sweep to victory, singing tho great song which has just been born to them. The songs and other music in 'La Marseillaise' are not incidental; they are tho lifeblood of the picture." The production difficulties of such a stupendous undertaking were baffling from the beginning of the picture until its completion. Paul Fejos was entrusted with the direction of the romantic drama. It was his task to encompass at tho same-time in sound and picture a great love and tho most spectacular period in 'French history. The Hungarian genius was well on'his way when an accidental fall from the directing platform made it necessary for. him to turn over his megaphone'to John S. Robertson, whose direction Shanghai Lady" and "Night Ride "• has heeu hailed as notable. As many as sixteen cameras, each with its sound outfit, were used at one time to record the terrific struggle in front of the garrison, taking in the entire battle from every angle in the ono shot. Forty assistants shouted orders to tho various regiments and detachments, all of* whom ; were governed from the radio control platform where the director controlled his armies by microphone and signail flags. . A battlefield of many acres had been prepared, to every corner of which went signal lights controlled by the. radio panel operated by Robertson's fingers. A signal to this army brought it marching forth, and a signal to that caused it to fall back in retreat. Another signal brought the revolutionary reinforcements surging forward, to carry everything before them as they sang the immortal song w-hich, unknowing its destiny, Rouget de Lisle, captain of the King's guards, had written. , Every soldier in both armies at all times had to wear, besides the uniform of the period or tho costume of the French peasantry, a wig and other special make-up. A corps of make-up experts was necessary, therefore, to stimulate the atmosphere of the pei*iod, as well as to make realistic the wounds and scars of the battle victims. The creation of vivid foreign types in authentic costumes, and recalling the flavour of a wellknown past is a production problem of major importance. Besides Miss Le Plante and Mr. Boles, the cast of "La Marseillaise" includes Sam de Grasse, James Marcus, Harry Cording, Lionel Belmore, Otis Harlan, Murdock McQuarrie, Claude Fleming, who is well-known in New Zealand, Ervin Renard, George Hackothorne and Richard Cramer. ' ' "La Marseillaise" will provide Miss La Plante with the most dramatic vehicle of her screen career. As the fiery "Tor°h" who leads the mob to victory, she is said to be superb. To Mr. Boles, the music drama gives a splendid opportunity to combine his rich and vibrant singing with acting that reaches fine heights of emotional strength.