“THE CAT AND THE CANARY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 15

“THE CAT AND THE CANARY”

AT THREE THEATRES ON THURSDAY Many people will no doubt be attracted to the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody’s Theatres on Thursday, to make comparisons of the stage play and the screen version of “The Cat and the Canary,” photo-dramatised for Universal by Director Paul Leni, for the play ending gives no clue to the picture solution. Leni, a past master in the art of scenic lighting, originated many new, startling photographic effects, which he was among the first to sponsor as a member of the Continental Cinema School. In a number of sequences the action is entirely visualised through the play of gigantic shadows on the walls of the fantastic, bizaxr© sets which were, of course, impossible of execution in the stage presentation of the play, which, by the way, comes from the highly imaginative pen of John Willard. In working out the mystery element of this spooky production, the director used no less than three well-known screen villains, or “heavies” as they are called, to play prominent roles. Arthur Edmund Carew, Forrest Stanley and George Siegmann are the “villains,” who act so suspiciously in weaving the plot that any one of the trio might have been the guilty man. The leading role is enacted by Laura La Plante, who has forged steadily ahead in such success as “Her Big Night,” “Poker Faces,” “Butterflies in the Rain,” “The Love Thrill,” snd “Skinner’s Dress Suit.” Other members of the featured cast include Creighton Hale, Lucien Littlefield, Tully Marshall, Flora Finch, of old Vitagraph, two-reeler fame, Gertrude Astor and Martha Mattox.

“The Last Command” has been decided upon by Paramount as the official name for the new Emil Jannings picture upon which the star Is now at work. The story is based upon the Russian revolution, with Jannings playing the part of a Czarist general. It was first called “The General,” and then “The Road to Glory.” Josef von Sternberg is directing, and William Powell and Evelyn Brent are in the cast.

Lillian Gish is enjoying a unique experience before the camera in her latest picture, for she is appearing in modern clothes. Miss Gish usually plays in roles a period long past. But in “The Enemy,” Channing Pollock’s famous drama of war and hatred, she plays the part of Pauli, the Austrian heroine, in modern garb. Ralph Forbes plays the hero, ana Ralph Emerson, George Fawcett, Frank Currier, Polly Moran, Karl Dane and others of note are in the cast.