THE PICTURE HOUSES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 16 November 1927, Page 9

THE PICTURE HOUSES

MUNICIPAL. In “Don Juan,” the third Barry-more-Warner production, Barrymore as “the greatest lover of the ages,” creates a character of such glittering and amorous beauty, such wistfulness and almost hypnotic magnetism, as to be indescribable. On this characterization alone he might rest his claim as the greatest actor of his generation, and one of tho greatest of all time. “Don Juan,” which comes to the Municipal Theatre tonight, was adapted by Bess Meredvth and directed by Alan Crosland. The cast includes Mary Astor, Estelle Taylor, Warner Oland and Montagu Love.

It is a moot question whether a Don Juan Tenorio ever really lived. The fact that there is a Tenorio family in Seville to this day, of course proves nothing. Cervantes, who lived in Seville for some years, makes no mention of such a person, though the hero of his “El Rufian” bears a slight resemblance to “El Burlador.”

Lope de Vega, the famous dramatist, is also silent as to the actuality of the man, though in his drama, “Money Makes the Man,” he uses the incident of the statue. Tirso de Molina’s of the name “Tenorio” may be explained as follows.. When a Spaniard remarks “Es un Tenorio!” Jia means what might he colloquially interpretated as “He is a lady-killer,” a statement which might he made with some truth—about all the Don Juans of the last three centuries. The programme shown in support is well up to standard. COSY DE LUXE. “Captain Salvation,” which comes to the Cosy Theatre to-night, is a drama of strong men braving the fury of the seas; of old-time squarerigged ships; and of sudden love and fierce hates. Altogether, it makes one fairly feel the tang of salty winds and thirst for the adventure of bygone days. “Captain Salvation.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s screen version of the noval by Frederick William Wallace, is quite a new type of picture—a story that stands out vividly as a beacon against the usual type of screen entertainment.. It grips ; it thrills; it amazes. Filmed largely on the high seas under the direction of J S. Rober son, the new picture his Lars Hanson, the famous Swedish .(ctor, and t descendent of the Vikings, in the title role, As the divinity student who forsakes the pulpit for the perils of the sea. Hanson leaches the very height of consumniat ’ artistry, giving a never-to-be forgotten in erpi-etation. Good supports conclude the programme.