AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 14 August 1928, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

COSY THEATRE France may well be proud of the epic film portrayal of Victor Hugo’s famous classic, “Los Miserables,” which will be screened at tho Cosy Theatre tonight for the last time. Perhaps never before in the history of motion pictures has a production been made with such fidelity. The extravagant statements made in advance of the showing are easily borne out by the picture, for no one can doubt, after seeing this Universal-Film de Franco production, that tjie towns in which the action of the novel were supposed to have taken place wore constructed as they appeared a century ago. The scenes representing Paris are said to have been built at the studio, as it was impossible to reconstruct the actual Parisian streets. These massive add beautiful * sets have the authentic look of time, and it is difficult to believe that they are not real, like the others. Gabriel Gabrio, in the character of Jean Valjean, proves himself a sterling actor. His role is a difficult one to portray, but he makes the part exist. He is first- seen in the prison scenes. These, incidentally, were taken at the old prison at Toulon, convicts enacting the extra roles. When he emerges from the gray walls after his long imprisonment he presents a figure that is forbidding indeed, for the remaining spark of humnji sympathy in the man has been buried deep under the hardened Java of hate. Reserve at Vare’s. “OLD IRONSIDES” Reproducing an entire war as it actually took place is the task which confronted James Cruze, Paramount director, whose forthcoming production of “Old Ironsides” will include the encounter of the United States with Tripoli. In a single large sea battle the frigate “Old Ironsides,” sailed to victory over a fleet of twenty-one Tripolitan war vessels. It is around this battle the plot of the story revolves. In the encounter, the United States fleet consisted of the “ Constitution, ” two powder boats, three brigs and three gunboars, manned by 1040 sailors and gunners. The Tripoli pirates, on the other hand, were 25,000 strong. Cruze filmed this battle, insofar as possible, as it actually took place, one hundred and twenty-five years ago. See “Old Ironsides” a’t the Cosy Theatre next Wednesday. WILLIAM HEUGHAN That remarkable actor-singer, William Heughan, who left golden memories behind him after his last visit to Masterton, will, it is announced, give a final concert in the Opera House on Saturday night, prior to his departure for Australia and the Orient in continuation of his world tour. He has been called a genius of song by many of the greatest critics throughout the world, and there is no doubt that he breathes the spirit of his songs into the souls of his audiences by the stimulus of his dramatic force, as well as l by the sympathy and appeal of his voice. With his ranging vibrant baritone, strong in bass qualities, with his vivid temperament clothing him for the moment in each of his varied numbers; with his clear diction floating on the melody and transmitting his sensibility to his hearers with his manly grace of presence, aided by his catholic sympathies and his precise sense of the dramatic, he gives in all a programme that cannot but appeal. His success throughout the Dominion has been exceptional. l*arge and enthusiastic audiences have welcomed him wherever he has appeared and have shown by their delighted approbation that he is indeed an artist who appeals. So has it been throughout the world. In ea.ch and every city he has been acclaimed, so that now the name of Heughan is in every respect world-famous. He will again be assisted by thotse two talented artists, Maud Bell, the English ’cellist, and Gladys Sayer, the well-known pianiste. Both studied at the Brussels Conservatoire under masters in their .respective spheres. They are both very popular artists who have made many friends and admirers throughout tho Dominion. Box plans open at the Arts and Crafts on Thursday morning