POWERFUL DRAMA NOW SHOWING AT LIBERTY THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 7

POWERFUL DRAMA NOW SHOWING AT LIBERTY THEATRE.

Once more a double feature programme is to be found at Liberty Theatre. This week, two films of undoubted quality comprise the major portion of the evening’s em .Ttainment, both of them being unusual in theme and excellent plavs. Pride of place goes to - Surrender.” a Russian story of great interest, and it is followed closely by “ The Thirteenth Hour.” in which Lionel Barrymore takes the principal role.

The outstanding feature of the remarkable story of ” Surrender ” is tht interpretation of the plot. This has been left, for the greater part of the film, to Mary Philbin and Ivan Mosjukine. The latter is seen in “ Surrender” in the most prominent male role. A Russian, he has had wonderful success on the European stage, and this pictrue marks his entry into the world of the photoplay. In this typically Russian story, it is essential that the interpretation should be in the hands

of a member of the Slavic race, for the plot is of that peculiar type which must, to be given full understanding, be handled by one who knows the working of the Russian mind, both ot peasant and of prince. The story is laid in Galicia. Here comes the invading Russian army, headed by an arrogant and mighty prince, who is accustomed to have his own way in everything. Once before, when travelling incognito, this mighty one had met a little peasant girl. Lea Lyon, and had fallen in love with her. The girl’s father, a rabbi, had objected and had insulted the stranger. So when Galicia was being overrun by the forces of Russia in 1915. Constantin, for such was the name of the Russian commander, demands Lea. the alternative being that the town will be razed to the ground. To save her townspeople. Lea goes to the Russian and her kinsmen, not understanding, treat her with scorn. However, she brings out the better side of Constantin and kisses him in public, saving her town. Her father, although angered, stands by his daughter when she is being stoned out of the town, the rabbi being killed. Later, the girl aids Constantin to escape when the tide of war changes and he, instead of being the conqueror, becomes the pursued. Of course, the film has a happy ending, but just how this comes about is one of the parts of the story that must be seen. The intensely emotional part of Lea is taken by Mary Philbin, one of the leading actreses of the motion picture world. She came to the front in “ Merry-go-Round,” which was her first big success. From then on, she has been able to hold her place and if anything, to improve as an actress. To-day, she is probably the most noted actress associated with the Universal firm, the makers of this picture. Otto Matiesen, as Joshua, to whom Lea was betrothed, gives an excellent performance, while Nigel de Brulier. as the old father, is decidedly realistic. The director has chosen his locations with care and the atory is not marred by poor scenes or lack of continuity. Lionel Barrymore has been a favourite on the screen for many years. A member of the famous Barrymore family, he was a born actor and to him the role that he happens to be playing represents real life, and so he portrays it on the screen. So, in the principal role of “ The Thirteenth Hour,” he gives another of his polished performances. The plot is a mystery one, but it is handled differently from the usual run of mystery stories. Its theme and its execution are fresh and thus the picture holds the interest of the audience all the time. In the supporting roles are Charles Delaney, another •well-known actor, and Jacqueline Gadsden, who gives a spirited interpretation of the part which has been assigned to her. The musical portion of the programme .was an entertainment in itself, and the playing of the Liberty Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Ernest Jamieson, was of a very high standard. The entr'acte was “ Polly ” (Zamenickl. the piano solo being played by Miss Stephenson in a finished

manner. This number had to be repeated. Other pieces played during the screening included—“ Symphony ” (Schumann). “Symphony in C” (Beethoven), “Martha" (Flotow). “La Fuyant Chimere ” (Ourdine) and “Andante ” (Beethoven).