PLAZA AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 15

PLAZA AND TIVOLI

TWO FINE PICTURES The whims of fate, as exemplified by i the roulette wheel, provide the theme of “The Wheel of Chance,” Richard j Harthelmess’s latest First National | picture, which opened at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres last evening. The effect of circumstances and environment upon the twin brothers, separated in childhood by relentless fate, was the idea behind the original story, “Roulette.” by Fannie Hurst. It is followed faithfully in the picture version, which brings Barthelmess to the screen at his best, in powerful, dramatic story, with suspense and “punch” throughout. Barthelmess plays the dual role, portraying both twins. One Is redheaded and one black. One is denied the guidance of his parents, the other is more fortunate. With great realism and understanding, the star enacts the two characters, giving to each the qualities as developed by their individual upbringing. In the climax of the story, staged in a courtroom, where one brother prosecutes the other for murder without being aware of the relationship Barthelmess rises to dramatic heights seldom witnessed on the screen. It is an unforgettable scene, and one that will go down in screen history as a masterpiece of dual acting. Lina Basquette, who played opposite j Barthelmess in “The Noose.” is again his leading lady in “The Wheel of j Chance.” and is both charming and j convincing. Margaret Livingston is I the “other girl” who enters the life of j both boys. Warner Oland. Bodil Rosing, Ann Schaeffer and several others i have character roles of exceptional j merit. The second picture last evening was a most humourous one, a happy combination of New York of to-day with Greece of 2,000 years ago. It is also a very happy combination of Louise Fazenda and. Charlie Murray, two front-rank comedy players. Murray goes to a night club to escape his nagging wife, and gets a rap on the head which precipitates him right into the middle of Old Greece. There be meets all the characters of the New York days in different roles the wife, for instance, is Circe! And. of course, with his knowledge of modern inventions and politics, he becomes dictator of the land, wages war. wins Venus —and comes to New York, with someone pouring water on his head! Raul Lukas is playing opposite Evelyn Brent in the Paramount version of the Somerset Maugham stage success, “The Letter.” which is being produced on the sound stages of the Paramount studio.