LIBERTY THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17010, 7 April 1923, Page 7 (Supplement)

LIBERTY THEATRE.

■ • TFI E PR ISO\ E R OF ZENDA.” Once in a great while there comes a motion picture which can be hailed as almost perfect. Such a picture is the Rex Ingram production tor Metro of the famous story, “ The Prisoner of Zenda.” which *vili have its first showing in Christchurch to-day at the Liberty Theatre. This photoplay, which is based on Anthony Hope’s novel, has been skilfully adapted by Alary O’Hara, gorgeously mounted by the Metro Company, and the excellent cast-—which in earlier days would have been labelled “ all-star’’- shows the inspired direction of that young w izard of the screen. Rex Ingram. No one who has thrilled to the call of romance should tail to see this extraordinary picture which ’s packed full of action. Intrigue and devilish plotting is matched against heroic endeavour and ultimate victory for the loval adherents of the Ruler ‘of the little Kingdom of . Ruritania. The settings are magnificent. The coronation, the processions, the rovai hall are massive, beautiful stud impressive. Here is sword play, intrigue, danger, plots, beauty, action ami charm. Lewis Stone, as the Englishman who by the vagaries of fate was called upon to impersonate the king, gives a flav. loss performance in the dual vo! x Alice Terry, beautiful as a 1 ily, regal in appearance, and acting, moves charmingly through the iovo interest of the story to the ultimate renunciation oi’ her heart’s desire. Robert Edeson as the faithful Colonel Snpt gives a splendid performance of a character which has infinite appeal. Barbara La Marr is

of Rumania. Others -.ho make these j well-known character-, come to life with ! faithful realiiv arc* Stuart Holmes as Duke Miehacl. Ramon Navarro as | Rupert of Hentzau. il.il-olni M’Gre.ct»r j I as Cumit vo,, Tarlenhcim. Ed ward Con : ! ?;ci : .v a*. Marshal von Strakeiwz. Some I idea of the gr *ai proportion.** of this j j production may be had from the estaiis- : v. ith the i lioio’i ■;* Ihi i lures presented i eve d “The Prison ol Zenda” j as <-m ol : ii** greatest undertakings in 1 the lus low nf the pl.utoplav The | : total . -,-i of die pici uro waV over a ' million dollar- Those wi.o coutributj •••' to 'unking .1,.. picture ,re,l ' more limn •.>:).1)00 per-,.:-. The I scoK-uio ......... i-.-l !02i! |;u ire.-. A : villn K .' .mil .ix blocks ol :m ivpiv built I'm- .Mci io" scenes. Dnr- ; •'•>« tlio f.vo weeks ,vl„. h il,o iwona ! ! lion sr-.uics were taken t!,-• village and i 1 of t in streets boused more than 10., - isons. The (ab -u v Crail.l ! ' gramme el mnsie.' v. oil’a ttiim-dho ’ l'he i nee !- of so onuiiic-iiig a picture. The sup,.or:. , si., ~, ~ lever .Mornmiil j : ruin, ,Is . ll.ipi I Tire and the latest I'lilho Gazcti- and Topical Hmlact ■lhc h„N Ilians are now open at The ; Bristol Piano Cmp.-im.