“A PICTURE CALLED ‘DON JUAN'”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 18 November 1927, Page 7

“A PICTURE CALLED ‘DON JUAN'”

(To the Editor)

Sir,—ln an interview between your representative and Mr. Allan Biikie in Wednesday's issue, Mr. Wilkie stated he could have played Hastings two nights, but that the Municipal Theatre had been “booked for a picture called ‘Don Juan? ” Mr. Wilkie may not be aware that this picture features Mr. John Barrymore, one of the world’s greatest romantic actors on both stage and screen, and anyone fortunate enough to see the screening of “Don Juan” would surely acclaim the picture as a masterpiece of histrionic art. No spoken word to help the actor; (save a few scattered subtitles”) just the poetry of sheer fine acting in itself to constitute a triumph. And the whole set in scenes of lavish magnificence which it would be impossible

to offer on a stage, however vast in size.

This is surely a wonder-picture, and a greater wonder is why it should be censored “for adults 'only,” and that childfen should be denied access. True, there are a few incidents of Don Juan climbing a balcony; but methinks the great scene in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is something in the same mould—and would anyone say that play was not fit for children to witness. Lest anyone should think “Don Juan” is founded on Byron’s somewhat sultry poem, let me assure them their are mistaken. I feel sure that Hastings was the gainer, not the loser, by the Municipal Theatre being booked “for a picture called ‘Don Juan? ” ] am looking forward to seeing it again to-night ere it leaves our town. Yours, etc., PICTURE LOVER. Hastings, 18/11/27.