“ METROPOLIS ” HAS SEASON EXTENDED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18550, 25 August 1928, Page 10

“ METROPOLIS ” HAS SEASON EXTENDED.

The 44 Metropolis ” season has been extended, due to the phenomenal success of this remarkable production. An amazing story of a gigantic stone and steel city of a future century in which brains have assumed the mastery of brawn; in which the dwellings of the rich soar towards the skies, and the workers lie in the depths of the earth; in which fnen have become the slaves of the machines and Power is God; such is the theme of 44 Metropolis.” Once again U.F.A., the producers of 44 Faust ” and 44 Variety,” have scored a bull’s-eye in film production ; they have made a picture which is original beyond the ordinary limits of imagination, and savours of H. G. Wells at his most capricious and fantastic. It yet possesses such elements of possibility as to make it fascinating to an extraordinary degree, and to see it is to lose all sense of time and reality from start to finish. Disturbing as is the prediction of the trend of civilisation, and sinister as are its pictured manifestations, the story, without moralising, points a moral, and might be said to be a warning rather than a prophecy. However it is regarded, it is thrilling entertainment. The tremendous proportions of “Metropolis,” the city which John Mastermail’s cold brain controls, are vividly pictured in scenes that are masterpieces of photography, and throughout the production is employed a technique which strikes contrasting notes of impressionism and reality as effect demands. The action of the story centres round the sympathy of John Masterman’s son Erik for the men who are slaves of his father’s machines. The story owes much of its romantic appeal to the mutual attraction between this Erik and Mary, an idealistic daughter of the people. The dramatic element develops in the creation by a scientist of a female robot who, in the image of Mary, was to preach in Masterman’s interest in the workers’ underground city. Her creator loses control over her, however, and she incites the people to revolt and to smash the engines they serve. Scenes of chaos and utter confusion follow, but out of it arises a new sympathy between master and man. In 44 Metropolis ” the Germans have again given us an actress who can act. She is Brigitte Helm, who, as Mary, and later as the evil automaton, gives excellent performances. Box plans are at The Bristol Piano Compan}’, where seats should be reserved.