PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 590, 16 February 1929, Page 16

PLAZA

“THE MAN WHO LAUGHS” A dictionary of superlatives would be required to describe amply “The Man Who Laughs,” the big picture now at the Plaza Theatre. This screen masterpiece a\ ill go a long way toward replacing the motion picture in its rightful place as the world’s most popular form of entertainment. Universal has never failed to make a great picture from a Victor Hugo story, for example “The Hunchback of Notre Barne” and “Les Miserables,” but “The Man Who Laughs’* so far surpasses these productions that it will be ranked at the end of the year as one of the finest and most beautiful artistic triumphs ever screened. Never has a more beautiful love story been told than that between Bea, the blind maid, and Gwynplaine.

the maimed clown whose facial deformity dooms him to a perpetual grin. Mary Philbin, as Bea, has a role of rare ethereal beauty which again proves her to be the most beautiful and the most tragic of all screen stars. Conrad Veidt, asGwynplaine, gives a masterly performance which

strikes at the heart chords with unerring aim. A perfect actor, Veidt found himself in a role which required that all emotion be recorded through the eyes. The face of a grinning mountebank with eyes reflecting the starkest of all emotions, repeatedly brought tears to the spectators. But this tragedy is relieved cleverly with comedy and the end is, in reality, a thing of beauty, a painting showing a love that transcends the harshness of life. The massiveness of the production, its gorgeous costumes and impressive sets, form a background in perfect accord with the mood of the story. Tlie court of Queen Anne as it was in 1705 amid England’s political chicanery; the queen’s music room; the House of Lords; the voluptuous chambers of the Buchess Josiana; Southwark Fair and the Compraehicos at sea form just a few of the many spectacles of this lavish production. The genius of Paul Leni, the noted German director, is more than ever apparent in “The Man Who Laughs.” At the head of the excellent supporting programme is tlie appearance of Mr. Hartley Warburton, baritone, who sings “Laugh, Clown, Laugh,” and “Love Comes Stealing.” Mr. Howard Moody’s Symphony Orchestra plays throughout the evening.