“BRIGADIER GERARD”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 14

“BRIGADIER GERARD”

PRINCESS, TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY’S Ideally, cast in one of the best romantic melodramas seen here in many months, Rod La Rocque scores a triumph in his latest De Mille stellar vehicle, “Brigadier Gerard,” which is now being shown at the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody’s Theatres. Directed by Donald Crisp and featuring Phyllis Haver, Julia Faye, Sally Rand and Sam de Grasse in support of the star, “Brigadier Gerard” is a captivating photoplay of Napoleonic times in France, that will delight and thrill the most blase picture fan. Mr. La Rocque has the role of Etienne Gerard, a young daring ambitious French country boy whose sole ambition is to attach himself to the military service of Napoleon, whom he terms “my friend the Emperor.” Ho meets and aids Countess de Launay, one of Napoleon’s secret agents 'who is harassed by Talleyrand, one of the Emperor’s Ministers who has been bribed by the Spanish ambassador to obtain certain documents of State in possession of the countess. For his services in behalf of the countess, Gerard is made a captain in Napoleon’s guard. In quick succession follow many stirring events in which the young and boastful officer plays the leading part—events which precipitate a duel, the abduction of the Emperor, the courtmartialing of Gerard, his convictien and sentence to death at the hands of a firing squad, his rescue of the countess from Talleyrand, the loss of the documents and their strange recovery in time to save Gerard’s life. It is sufficient to say that these happenings provide thrills galore and the drama gratefully relieved by an abundance of wholesome comedy. “Home Made,” starring Johnny Hines, is the second attraction at the Princess and Tivoli.