MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 806, 29 October 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE LAST WARNING”

OOOOO! 00000-o-o-o-o-o-o-! ‘The Last Warning” is at the Majestic Theatre, with Laura La Plante in the starring role. x _ . , It is a riot from start to finish. All the ghostly things that can happen do happen in this greatest of mystery photoplays. For sheer suspense this is the finest piece of art the director, Raul Leni, has ever tuined out. , It surpasses “The Cat and the Canary.” If one missed his former directorial vehicle they shouldn t miss this. The story is absolutely different, however. There are thrills and chills galore. You have your screaming audience —breathless silence as danger lurks in the offing then riotous laughter, a laughter of relief which literally rocks the house. Laura La Plante is delightful in the starring role. There is a murder in fact, two murders —a haunted theatre and ghosts warning a. theatrical company not to stage their show. Miss La Plante has never been more beautifully photographed. And as a versatile actress, the little blonde comedienne is in a class by herself. She isn’t guilty of the crime—but we won t tell you who is.

There are some splendid performances in the supporting cast, notably those of Montagu Love, as the producer, Roy D’Arcy, as the leading man, Margaret Livingston as the former burlesque queen, John Boles as the understudv and many others, including Bert Roach, Mack Swain, Burr Mclntosh, Tom O’Brien and Fred Kelsey. The motion picture is an excellent cinematic treatment of the famous stage play and Paul Leni has directed as only he can—with odd angles which make the very sets seem living things. On the supporting programme is a remarkable clown act introducing the Arnaut Brothers, two of the finest novelty whistlers in modern vaudeville. The recording is delightfully clear, doing full justice to their perfect performance. „ . x . . . .. . „ “Doing His Duty,” a British talking comedy, Fox Movietone News, and a U.F.A. travelogue complete an excellent bill.