"BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK"

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 8

"BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK"

A MERRY PRETENDER. | EVERYBODY'S, MONDAY. Bolsheviks—wo have come to regard all discontented peoplo as Bolsheviks—aro never more distracting than while on tho screen. In real life, ono can, with sundry promises and the like, pacify these querulous gentlemen, but on the silver sheet they must perform their allotted tasks and perpetrate evory form o£ political and social villainy before the comely hero dashes oft" with tho equally comely heroine, and thus concludo a more or less entertaining photo-play. Never had wo more reason to bow the kuee of homage to screen Communists than in "Beverly of Grauslurk," the screen version of George Barr McCutcheon's well-known story, which will be presented at Everybody's Theatre next week. They dominate the plot of the story, iu fact thoy are the plot, and they givo rise to so many hectic 'events, and call into being so much drama and romance that tho seeker after amusement at least has'no cause to lift his voice against them. A more amusing, discreet, and polite caricature of royalty than this picture it would be difficult to find—a purely fictitious royalty, but intensely human for all that. It is romantic drama in.its most popular conception; very colourful, very gay, very thrilling, indeed, almost sensational. It' is a merry, interesting, and wholly diverting imbroglio, with the screen's peerless comedienne, Marion Davies, blithely and boldly whirling through such a series of romantic adventures that disturb tho equilibrium of anyone, save yoiir imperturbable American. Tdujours l'Amcricaino. Tho delightful story leaps into humorous and exciting life at the first flicker, and only at tho very end is the suspense relieved, the curiosity satisfied, and the sneaking sentimentality that reposes in us all completely appeased. Ono crowning blessing remains to be mentioned about "Beverly of Graustark." Thero is not the faintest suggestion of the comic opera typo of anarchist, or prince of beggar about tho story, which is so often, inadvertently no doubt, introduced into a photo-play. It is an artistic, restrained, and entirely pleasant portrait, but it is not a satire. As Beverly Calhoun, Miss Davies leavos little or nothing to be desired. Her sense of humour is rare, and is dovotcd to the most minor incidents as well as to those more important. As a Prince of the Blood she is a dashing young roysterer, and as her own charming self she is a disarming youug person with flair for royal plotting. Antonio Moreno, in a cavalier role, is a fascinating figure in the most gorgeous of uniforms, resplendent with-medals, and very dangerous with bis blade. Tho Select Orchestra, under Mr W. J. Bellingham, K.S.M., will be heard in appropriate orchestral selections, including the following numbers:—Overture, "Euryarithe" (Weber); suite, "Cossacks'. Wedding" (Kroin); "Eastorn Sketches" (Howcieo); "Scheherazada" (RimskyrKorsakov). symphony, "New World" (Dvorak); rhapsody, "The Hungarian" (Liszt); entr acte, "Parade of tho Tin Soldiers" (Kesael); selections, "Crown Diamonds"' (Auber); ' Yeoman pf the Guard" (Sullivan). The box pjans aro at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may bo reserved.