“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 15

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN”

AT THREE THEATRES They are all there, Uncle Tom and Eliza and Eva and Topsy and Marks, the lawyer, and Aunt Ophelia and Simon Legree and the bloodhounds, and all the old, familiar characters of “Undo Tom’s Cabin,” at the Plaza, Tivoli and Everybody’s Theatres in the widely-heralded production of that name. It would be futile to go into detail on what we consider one of the master pictures of the screen. It has been filmed with a carefulness as to details and perfection of cast that defy comparison with any other epic camera effort. To director Harry Pollard should go the laurels for his powerful rendition of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, a skilful blending of drama, pathos, comedy, coupled with pictorially perfect scenes. Tho cast is so splendidly distributed that each member should receive individual mention: Margaret Fischer as Eliza, Arthur Edmund Carew as George Harris, George Siegmann as Simon Legree, Virginia Grey as Eva, Mona Ray as Topsy, Lucien Littlefield as Marks, James Lowe as Uncle Tom. The balance of the long cast are all outstanding in individual performances that will become traditional with the passing of time. The big scenes of Eliza crossing the ice; the death of little Eva; the stupendous scenic shots of “La Belle Riviere,” the immortal river boat; the Shelby, St. Clare and Legree homes; the tavern scenes and the other numerous settings are integral parts of this incredibly big production. It is, aside from splendid entertainment, graphically instructive from the viewpoint of historical and -geographical accuracy. Even the extras looked their parts, which is saying a great deal. At the Plaza Theatre an additional attraction is provided in a novel stage presentation, “Plantation £>ays,” a pot--1 pouri of old-time darkie ballads, with chorus and banjo accompaniment.