CRYSTAL'S FIRST FEATURE HAS THE TROPICAL SPIRIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 7

CRYSTAL'S FIRST FEATURE HAS THE TROPICAL SPIRIT.

FLORENCE VIDOR LEADS IN “ SEA HORSES.” "Were it ript already a story of dramatic) intensify and impressive realism, with a sympathetic direction to boot., the cast of “Sea Hors.es,” the big Paramount special to be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day would be of sufficient strength and talent to command a ready interest. In this colourful, adventurous adaptation of Francis Brett. Young’s wellknown book, Florence Vidor, Jack Holt and William Powell play the leading chax-acters, and create of them livingmen and women. Tn this stirring story of the sea and the people that force makes and mars, the director has caught something of the spirit of Joseph Conrad, something of his undoubted greatness, bis power of cyclonic climax. The whole thing, from its powerful plot and gripping story down to the minutest detail in constructional development, is redolent of pleasing originality and delightful romance. It is a melodramatic adventure on the high seas and on the African Gold Coast, one that, despite its marine nature. is pleasantly devoid of rascally mates and leering sea-captains and other distasteful characters which often infest sea stories. “Sea Horses*’ breathes the very soul of freshness and everything that is out of the ordinary, never, at the same time, leaning towards the exotic or impossible. The dramatic outcome of the plot is, although so dramatic, the inevitable result of that plot, which is, in itself, of no common—yet perfects feasible—nature. A combination of broiling sea and picturesque land adds immeasurably to the fascination of the story, which is at all times vigorous. Those who choose their film fare on the basis of romantic strength of story, excellent characterisation and able direction will find in this production everything their artistic sense demands. Film directors, like everyone else, have their specialities. Some prefer to produce comedies, others melodramas, and still others massive spectacles. A director with a flair for gripping drama is more apt to produce a successful picture if the story ..has an amount of stirring action and heart appeal than if it is one of the slapstick comedy type, and vice versa. The direction of “Rea Horses" is of such a specific type. Alan Dwan, who made this picture, is an intelligent, resourceful director, who knows how to create and maintain interest and suspense, and who manages to extract the maximum amount of thrills out of the plot. The entire shows every evidence of having been staged with scrupulous attention to detail. The added advantages of elaborate mounting, tropical atmosphere and marvellous photography make the production as pictorially beautiful as it is emotionally' stimulating. Jack Holt is ideally cast in his role, acting with a keen artistic discretion and a natural courage that are admirable. Florence Vidor is exquisite in her portrayal, combining her natural talents with a desire to sink her own individual personality for the good of the picture. The remaining members of the cast are equally good. Gloria Swanson, popular and vivacious, plays the title role in the second attraction on the programme, “The Untamed Lady,” a. speedy, romantic com-edy-drama with a. delightfully novel twist. Her will was law and many were the disconsolate lovers she sent packing. Then the right man came along, something of a cave man he was, and the hilarious story commenced in earnest. Miss Swanson is at her charming best in this picture, and Lawrence Gray, who appears in her immediate support, plays his part in excellent manner. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr A. J. Bunz, will play a programme of orchestral music, including the following numbers: Overture, “The Bohemian Girl” (IJalfe), “Allegro Molto” (Beethoven), Ballet Music . from “Faust” (Gounod). “Tempest” (Ketelby), “Euranthe” (Weber), “Prise la Voile” (Dorlay), “Three Eastern Sketches” (Howgill). “There Was Never a Pal Like You” (O'Hagan), “A Song of Love” (Hilli&m), entr’acte, “Horses” (Darowski). The box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.