PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 16

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

“LES MISERABLES”

“Les Miserables,” a stirring tale of France during the Revolution, is the big feature now being shown at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres.

Gabriel Gabrio, in the character of Jean Valjean, heads a cast made up of important players of the French stage. It is said that the production was made at a cost of millions of francs and was two years in the making.

Certainly ii is a stupendous production, and one which thrills and arouses the deepest sympathies. Three big streets in Paris—the Rue St. Denis, Rue de Chanvriers, and the Rue Montedour—with their shops.

stalls, grocery stores, coopers’ sheds, haidressing establishments, and large cafe, The Corinthe, were reconstructed exactly as they were about 1830. In the Rues des Chanvriers were heaped-up pavingstones piled on shutters which

the rebels had torn from inside windows, barrels from a neighbouring shed, ladders, and articles of furniture which the people had thrown from the top of houses, all forming a barricade. In the midst of this were ammunitions, barrels of powder, and further along, an overturned vehicle. At the officers’ command thousands of soldiers pass through the barricades, while the red flags flap in the wind against the placards on which the insurgents have written, “Death to the tyrant!” The rebels, proud, and scornful of death, face the soldiers, who force them to retreat. Here are Enjolras, the moving spirit of the A.8.C., Gavroche, who amused himself during the whole of this drama, and Marius, the lover. The story is from the novel by Victor Hugo.

“FOUR SONS”

HAS STRONG CAST An exceptional cast was chosen t*y John Ford to play in “Four Sons,” the film adaptation of I. A. R. Wylie’s magazine story, “Grandmother Bernle Learns Her Letters.” In the title role is seen Margaret Mann, a sixty-year-old “extra” and “bit” actress, who has been elevated to stardom as the result of her outstanding performance in this film. The four sons are played by George Meeker, Charles Morton, Francis X. Bushman, jun., and James Hall, a quartette of young players for whom great things are predicted. June Collyer and Ruth Mix (the latter the daughter of the famous Western Star) supply the juvenile feminine interest. Two other famous character actors who contribute oustanding roles are Albert Gran and August Tollaire. Gran has played in a number of Fox productions, his most outstanding performance being in “Seventh Heaven,” in which he played “Papa q Boul,” the taxi-driver. Tollaire appeared in “What Price Glory,” playing the rascally Cognac Pete with rare skill.

EMPIRE

“PAJAMAS” “Pajamas,” starring Olive Borden, will be shown at the Empire Theatre to-night. Th e story, revolving around the determination of a poor but energetic youth to make a little rich girl behave.

furnishes situations for innumerable laughs in this down-to-the-minute comedy drama. The locale is ideal, centring about a palatial Long Island home and switching rapidly to the majestic ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Miss Borden, wearing pajamas dur-

ing much of the action, is given some sparkling moments with Lawrence Gray. The second feature, “What Every Girl Should Know,” stars Patsy Ruth Miller in a comedy-drama of love, pluck and Irish luck.

CHARLES FARRELL

ONCE BUSINESS MANAGER Charles Farrell, the audacious young Chico of “Seventh Heaven,” was a business manager for a vaudeville performer as part of his course in business administration at Boston University. This was before he decided to enter the movies, and so, of course, the business course was pushed to the background. Farrell had a part as extra in Poli Negri’s picture “The Cheat,” as his debut in films, which was followed by several small parts and then a more important role in "Sandy.” with Madge Bellamy starring. The role of Chico in “Seventh Heaven” brought the spotlight of fame to Farrell, and his vigorous performance in this beautiful film earned him the unstinted praise of critics. His latest pictures are “The Street Angel,” in which he is again featured with Janet Gaynor, and “The Red Dancer of Moscow,” where he is playing opposite Dolores del Rjo.

OLD-TIME DANCING

GREY LYNN LABOUR PARTY The Grey Lynn branch of the Labour Party will hold an “old time” dance this evening at the O’Neill Street Hall at Ponsonby. Paltridge’s Orchestra, whose reputation as a dance orchestra is well known, will supply the music. There will be a number of novelties, and an excellent evening is promised. The floor of the hall is perfect for dancing. Details of a children’s fancy dress ball to be held under the same auspices will be announced next week by Mr. H. W. Vaughan, secretary.

Raymond Cannon and J. Walter Rubin are writing the adaptation of Bow will be starred, with production “The Fleet’s In” for Paramount. Clara supervision by Ben Zeidman-