GROTESQUE CHARACTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 14

GROTESQUE CHARACTER

LIFE OF MAD CZAR OF RUSSIA The story of tlie life and death of the Mad Monarch forms the basis of the Paramount production, “The Patriot,” in which Emil Jannings brings Tsar Paul to life again. The Mad Tsar, Paul I. of Russia, is one of the most grotesque and at the same time pathetic figures of history. He was obsessed with the fear that everyone was conspiring to murder him, and it was that fear which drove him to build an almost impregnable fortress for his castle, and to issue an edict that no one should show themselves in public when he drove through the streets, under the penalty of instant death. Other interesting historical characters are portrayed by Lewis Stone, Neil Hamilton and Florence Vidor. Stone has the role of the War Minister, Count Pahlen. Miss Vidor plays the part of the Countess Osterman, who discovered the plot against the Tsar’s life, and Neil Hamilton appears in the character of the Tsar’s son, Prince Alexander. Months were spent in research by a special staff at the studios, so that all the details of the huge “sets” representing the exteriors and the interiors of many historical locations should be correct. Notice has been received from the Fox studios in Hollywood that thei»* production, “Husbands Are Liars,” will henceforth be known as “Red Wine.”