THE REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 17

THE REGENT

“SORROWS OF SATAN” The popular conception ©f the Prince of Darkness —of the fallen Archangel, revelling in evil, with never a thought but the downfall of mankind —is completely upset by Adolphe Menjou’s masterly interpretation of Lucifer, in “The Sorrows of Satan,” which commenced at the Regent last evening. Marie Corelli’s book, written 30 years ago, is still one of the world’s bestknown novels, and although D. W. Griffith has given the story a modern setting, the theme is the same. Condemned to tempt the human race by every conceivable artifice —riches, fame and love—Prince Lucio de Romanez, the suave and debonair “Devil on Earth,” a personage whom everybody knows, and who moves in Europe’s highest social circles, is disappointed by nothing so much as success. “For every soul that resists thee.

Satan, thou shalt have one hour at the gates of Paradise.” Those souls that did not resist him —those were his sorrows. Ricardo Cortez, as Tempest, the man who sells his soul for money, gives a splendid portrayal of such an emotional part. The character of Mavis Claire —the girl who resists the blandishments of Rimanez —into which Marie Corelli is said to have woven her own personality, is played by Carol Dempster. As a Russian princess who weaves her spell over Tempest, Lya de Putti. of “Variety” fame out-vamps even herself. An appropriate musical score, arranged by Maurice Guttridge, accompanies the picture, and includes selections from many famous compositions including the prologue Leoncavello’s “I Pagliacci.” In addition, the overture “The Caliph of Bagdad,” by Boiydieu, is presented by the Regent Operatic Orchestra. Eddie Horton’s contributions to the programme on the mighty Wurlitzer. includes “Berceuse” from “Jocelyn" (“Angels Guard Thee”) —surely an appropriate number for such a picture—the popular “Waltz Parisienne.” as well as others by request. Donald Stuart has well been described as “seven feet of mirth and magic.” He provides twenty-five minutes’ hilarious amusement with his inconsequential patter and mystifying tricks The Regent Review, a travelogue “Bohemia” and a comedy that makes the audience hold its breath, complete a programme that well sustains the Regent’s reputation for putting on an excellent show.