ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2924, 17 April 1928, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

TOWN HALL THEATRE. TO-NIGHT—' ■ DON JUAN. *' Only those who were actively identified with the actual writing and filming of the exceptional Master Picture, "Don Juan," John Barrymore's latest super production, which comes to the Town Hall Theatre to-night and to* morrow night, can have any adequate conception of the laborious research, painstaking care and slavish attention to details that marked every step taken in the vast project. In its costuming, in architectural design of the massive and beautiful settings, in fidelity of characterisation, '■Don Juan" is as true to the times in which the action is placed as past records can make it. Before Miss Meredyth, who wrote an original screen version - of the legend, began work on her script, there was carried on by the research staff of Warner Bros, an exhaustive investigation into the customs,, fashions and foibles of the Spaniards and Italians of the XV. century. The impressive sets used in the production were as carefully designed and built as if they were going to be permanent structures. The reproduction of the Spanish-Moorish castle hall, with all its aerial yet impressive beauty, followed upon a careful study of the classic architecture of the Renaissance. Even the doors—which convey a feeling of strength and solidity—-are the real thing. Fifty-three of these great doors were made for the play, varying from a height of seven feet to a height of twenty feet, and in width from three feet to seven feet. These are all beautifully carved in the manner of the period. Some of the most striking scenes of "Don Juan" are taken in faithful reproductions of the Borgia Palace and its approach and courtyard. The luxurious villa of Don Juan is copied from that of a gentleman of the period who enjoyed a reputation of a similar nature. The greater part of the prologue is enacted in a castle modelled after a historic old Moorish edifice in 3pain. An exact replica was made of the dungeons in tho prison of the eastle of St. Angelo, and their flooding by the River Tiber is based on an occurrence which is historically correct. Appropriate music will be played by the orchestra on both nights, and there are good supporting pictures.

FRIDAY'S PROGRAMME. On Friday next the outstanding picture is the Master'Picture, "A Hero of the Big Snows." This story of Canadian wilds features that almost human dog, Rin Tin Tin. It is a stirring story of a dog's loyalty, a man's cruelty, a boy's courage, and a girl's love, with the Canadian wilds as a background. Don't miss seeing this fine, rugged drama of the frozen north. Good supporting pictures. Saturday's programme will include "The Danger Signal." It is a railroad romance with thrills a-plenty. Coming pictures include: "The Ranger of the Big Pines"; Fred Thomson in "Hands Across the Border"; "Hogan's Alley," with Monte Blue in the leading character; "Steele of the Royal Mounteds," ' "The King of Kings," "Ben Hur," and "Chang."