EMPRESS THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12616, 29 November 1926, Page 8

EMPRESS THEATRE

“THE SEA BEAST.” “Tho Sea Beast,” now showing at the Empress Theatre, justifies in every way all the glowing heaps of golden adjectives that have been piled up about this supreme effort of Warner Brothers. John Barrymore is the star, but even with Barrymore, the one actor who brings to the screen the feel of that indefinable quality called genius, the drama is the thing. It is an epic of the heroic lives of the American whalers when, in their swift clipper ships, they carried their whale hunts through the seven seas. It is a picture of rich, colourful beauty; of heart-searing pathos; of poetry that sings in action of courageous deeds; of emotions as violent and eternal as the terrific storms that sweep through the picture. The picture gives Barrymore an opportunity for the biggest and most impressive characterisation that he has givfen to the screen. The beauty of the scenes in Java, the magic way in which the atmosphere of the East has been captured, the never-equalled thrill of the surging storms at sea, an anguished suspense of the battle with the whale, are some of tho things that stand out most vividly. The heroine of the romance, which is taken from tho novel, “Alobby Dick,” is the beautiful Dolores Costello. There is an excellent supporting cast. AY. G. Fields and Louise Brooks are seen in “In the Old Army Game,” a splendid comedy, which will be seen at the day sessions only.

An attractive musical programme )s played by the Empress Orchestra.