THE NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 69, 13 June 1927, Page 13

THE NEW REGENT

“SORROWS OF SATAN” SUCCESS To judge the instantaneous success of the Paramount-D. W. Griffith masterpiece, “Sorrows of Satan,” adapted from Marie Corelli’s greatest story, it was only necessary,to be present at the New Regent on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the “Theatre Magnificent” was packed to the doors, and hundreds of people were unable to gain admission. The film’s “hit” can be easily understood for a brilliant cast, enchanting settings, which dazzle with their magnificence, and the excellence of direction by the master, D. W. Griffith, mtke “Sorrows of Satan” one of the most outstanding pictures ever made. Adolphe Menjou, as Satan on earth, suave, sophisticated, heralded by trick camera effect of a huge shadow which

gradually dissolves into the figure of the debonair, furcollared, silk-hatted star, plays more excellently than ever before. Ricardo Cortez exceeds any of his previous efforts, and Carols Dempster, a protegeof Griffith, makes an emotional appeal. Lya de Putti, of “Variety” fame, has a superb role.

Little need he said about D. W. Griffith. He is one of the greatest directors that the motion picture has produced. In many of the sequences, the handling is amazing. The story is Marie Corelli’s novel modernised to a degree. Geoffrey Tempest denounces God and declares himself willing to sell his soul to the dacil for worldly possessions. His wish is granted. After a time of reckless extravagance he finds that there is something still lacking in life. When his benefactor reveals himself in his true light, he knows of his folly and returns to his previous life, and love. The special musical score arranged by Maurice Guttridge and played by the Operatic Orchestra, which also presents the overture, “The Caliph of Bagdad,” adds much to the picture’s charm and dramatic force. Eddie Horton again plays an exceptionally popular programme at the Wurlitzer, and Donald Stuart is scoring again with new tricks and humour. The second of the “Miss New Zealand 1927” films is, of course, of great local interest. In view of the tremendous demand for seats the management advises patrons to reserve seats at the theatre by phone 46-88 S.