AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 20 August 1929, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

COSY THEATRE. TWO BIG DBA MAK “Tide of Empire/’ Peter B. Kyne’s vivid drama of the California gold rush, with Renee Adoree, Geonge Duryea. William Collier, Jnr., and a huge cast, is the first attraction at the Cosy Theatre to-night. This spectacular production, directed by Allan Dwaa at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, is the love story of the Spanish heroine and her Irish prospector lover, set in the grim struggles of the pioneers who Overthrew Spanish rule in the West. Starring William Cody, the screen’s most daring thrill-providing underworld actor, “The Tip Off/’ a Universal Thrill Feature, directed by Leigh Jason is the second feature. The picture is said to be the best Cody effort since that popular young actor joined the Universal galaxy of stars. In “The Tip Off” Cody portrays a young crook, known in underworld haunts as the “Gent,” who, for love of a beautiful girl, decides to reform. The picture is filled with tense, exciting situations and the daredevil stunts done by the star provide the audience with thrill upon thrill. The cast of “The Tip Off” includes pretty Duane Thompson, L. J. O ’Connor, Monte Montague, Robert Bolder, and Walter Shumway. Box plans at Vare’s Music House. COMMENCING WEDNESDAY. “THE MAN WHO LAUGH'S.” To-morrow will be an epoch in the history of the Cosy Theatre for it marks the opening performances of the Universal Super Production “The Man Who Laughs” and the entirely new and larger Wurlitzer Organ. The story of the tragedy that hides behind the laugh of a clown is the theme upon which is based “The Man Who Laughs.” The filming of “The Man Who Laughs” was sponsored by Carl Laemmle, the same motion picture impresario who brought Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to the screen. The same producer was instrumental in presenting the Frenchmade “Les Miserables” to American screen Hovers Those two photo-dramias have become screen classics. The new Hugo rendition is expected to be even more of a success, not only with Victor Hugo readers, but with all lovers of gripping drama and colourful romance.

Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin play the leading roles in “The Man Who Laughs.” Veidt is one of the lost, famous screen stars of Europe. He was brought to America primarily to play the role of Gwynplaine, the Man Who Laughs, in this picture. Miss Philbin is the beautiful girl of such pictures as “Merry Go Bound,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Drums of Love.” In “The Man Who Laughs,” she is Dea, Hugo’s blind and lovely heroine. The story of 1 I The Man Who Laughs” takes place in England, partly in the 1690’s and later, in 1757. The leading characters, a • tragic mountebank and a beautiful blind actress. are members of a tiny travelling show. They are pitched headlong into the pomp of Queen Anne’s court at a period when the oppression of the poor is at its height. The mountebank, restored to his rightful place as a Lord of the realm, is embroiled in the fatal royal intrigues, and falls a victim to the dastardly plotting of the Oourt when the licentious Duchess Josaana, the Queen’s sister, singles him out for jher voluptuous attention. What happened to the blind sweetheart of the erstwhile mountebank, and how he extricates himself from the silken and sinister toils that bind him, makes a highly dramatic climax to a story filled with thrills and suspense. Paul Leni directed the picture. Leni is a wizard of lights and settings. The exotic nature of the backgrounds of the Hugo story gave him unlimited opportunity to create an atmospheric and artistic photodrama. Carl Laemmle gave him free rein. The result, although costing a fortune estimated close to £350,000 is a motion picture that is said to be undeniably big, with colour and magnitude that makes it outstanding. It also is praised for its realistic picturisation of the life of the Queen Anne period. Miss M. Holmwood will render the original New York music score to “The Man Who Laughs” and as an overture “In A Persian Market.” Patrons are requested to book early at Vare’s and 1 a void a rush at thefTKeatre.