MAJESTIC

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 466, 25 February 1933, Page 7

MAJESTIC

"ARSENE LUPIN." "Arsene Lupin," which opens on Monday at the Majestic Theatre, demonstrates clearly the difference good acting, as opposed to merely adequate acting, can make to an entertainment. While the story of the famous French crook is clever, and frequently excitir&'j it is the polish, the beautiful finesse, the Barrymore brothers apply to their work, that malces "Arsene Lupin" ,such' a delightful offering. As Lupin, the master-crook, John Barrymore has a niade-to-order role. He gives to it that touch of restrained huniour that earns the complete sympathy of the audience, no matter how n,uch they are opposed to th'e rascally fellow's deeds. Then there is Lionel, the detective, iand equally as much the expert in his line, who so repeatedly and go futilely endeavours to get | somethiag on Lupin that will put him hehind iton bars. He, too, though he is often tha hutt of Lupin's jibes, captures the sympathies quite as strong- | ly. _ \ ' Three situatioijs in "Arsene Lupin" j are very cleverly executed — situations S which could quite easily have descend- J ed tq the levet of ch'eap melodrama, S had they not been sg efiiciently treated. These are when Lupin robs his own guests of taeir jewellery, when he pilfera his hosi's home -of his valuable portraits; and when ha gets away with the valuabla Mona Lisa. In each case he has woiked to time, and ap- I pointment. The iolice have kriown ex- f actly when he is going to strike. Al- l though such' deeds may not be pos- \ sible in real lifa they are fired with I every conviction on the screen. Besides the Barrymores, Karen Morley adds to tie general excellence of the acting.