AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20107, 28 March 1928, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

THE MAJESTIC THEATRE “Resurrection,” Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, which opens to-day at the Majestic Theatre is one of the great classics of literature, for it has Deen translated into cloven languages, millions have read it and seven different stage versions in as many languages have been played in fourteen countries. “Resurrection” was •written by Tolstoy in the years from 1894 to 1898, at Yasnaya-Poliana, Russia. The roles which Rcrl La Rocque and Dolores del Rio play in the film already have been honoured with great names on the stage. In 1903, at His Majesty’s Theatre in London, Sir Herbert Bcerbohm-Trco created the role of Prince Dmitri Nekhludof, one of literature’s most famous characters. Leo Tolstoy was still alive at the time. Miriam Clements played Katusha Maslova, the role Dolores del Rio portrays in the film at the Majestic Theatre. Over in America at about the i»anie time, Blanche Walsh was winning fame as the unfortunate Katusha, a character which she interpreted with rare understanding and power. Joseph Haworth played; Dmitri. In Russia, England, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Spain, Japan, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Belgium, in practically every reading communitv. “Resurrection” was soon being read. Soon it was in every public library in the world. It was an increasingly huge success, because the human, flesh-and-blood story represented the outpour|of five years of painstaking application by the genius, Tolstoy. As George Rapall Noyes says in the preface to an English life of Tolstoy: “Tolstoy was the first and only Russian to reach the great reading public of other countries and to become known and loved by the average man as well as by literary experts —his portrait was as familiar a& that of his antithesis, Prince Bismarck. When Leo Tolstoy died in .1910 no writer remained whose fame could even distantly be compared with his own.” Edwin Carewe, director and co-producer of the film version of “Ressurrcction,” sought and finally located Count Ilya Tolstoy, son of the great Russian and induced h ni to come to Hollywood to aid him in screening his father’s novel. The Count not only did that, but he made his film debut as the Old Philosopher, a character intended to suggest Leo 1 Tolstoy, whom Count Ilya, the author’s son, resembles greatly. Billy Hart, who is so well and favourably known as a singer over the radio, has been specially engaged to sing “Russian Lullaby” during the screening of the film. MUNICIPAL PICTURES “The Woman on Trial,” which shows finally at the Opera House to-morrow night, Thursday, tells a crucial story, in w’hich women of all races and climes confront the world with a problem of love, honour and motherhood, and ask—understanding. Fortunately this difficult and absorbing role is 'n the hands of a great dramatic artist, Pola Negri. The theme of “The Woman on Trial” is taken from “Confession,” a noteworthy stage play byErnest Vajda, Hungarian dramatist. Ic concerns the sacrifices a woman makes in the name of love. Caring deeply for one man who is deathly ill, she weds another to obtain money to restore the first to health. When her child, by the loveless marriage is taken from her through a jealous and deceitful scheme, she runs true to the instincts of woman and motherhood to regain the happiness of which she has been cheated. Settings, exceptionally colourful and backgrounds of the Latin Quarter of Paris, frame the action for a cast which includes Einar Hanson, Arnold Kent and Andre Sarti. NEW GRAND THEATRE Commencing to-djtty for a season of three days and nights the attraction at the new Grand Theatre will be William Fox’s special attraction “Dancing Mad,” a picture produced at Wil- ; liam Fox’s Berlin studios and played by the foremost European actors and actresses, headed by the famous European stage star Maria Coida. This picture has been passed for exhibition by the New Zealand Government censor as being more suitable for adult audiences. Critics who have had a pre-view, are unanimous in their opinion that here is something different- - something new—a story that mobX producers would have interpretcid tragically—made as a pleasant, merry and diverting comedy. While not a problem play, it carries a forceful and interest compelling lesson. Some of the high-lights of the picture are highlife in Parisian society—the sweep of the dance craze through the capitals of Europe—a honeymoon trip through the pleasure resorts of the old country. The predicament of a man who married, not a help mate, but a general manager and a board of directors. Its the year’s best tonic for the

“blues” if you see “Dancing Mad.” Reserves may be secured without extra charge at theatre office.