MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE SCARLET LETTER” A heavy demand for reserved seats suggests that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s film, “The Scarlet Latter,” which will commence its season at the Majestic Theatre to-night, will achieve the same success in Auckland that has marked its season at other places. Writing of Hawthorne’s very widely-read story, leading literary critics assert that “The Scarlet Letter” stands alone as a model for countless other stories, and that for sheer drama, emotional force, and romantic beauty, it still stands unrivalled. While it may be difficult to prove that this unforgettable w r ork is the greatest in existence the fact remains that there is scarcely a man or woman alive who has not, at some time or another, read “The Scarlet Letter,” and who still retains indelible memories of its appealing greatness. For many years motion picture producers were anxious to picturise Hawthorne’s tremendous drama, but many obstacles had first to be removed. It was the production executives of the Metro-Goldwryn-Mayer who removed them, who selected Lillian Gish, unforgettable star of “The White Sister,” as the one artist who could satisfactorily portray the role of the heroine, Hester Prynne, and who decided that Victor Seastrom, master of dramatic direction, shoLild handle the production. Neither time nor money were spared in making “The Scarlet Letter,” a worthy successor to “The White Sister,” and now it is problematical whether Miss Gish’s latest triumph does not overshadow all her previous successes . “The Scarlet Letter” has already established new records in many parts of the world. The All Soloists’ Orchestra will interpret the original music score.