“THE PATRIOT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 602, 2 March 1929, Page 14

“THE PATRIOT”

AN EMIL JANNINGS TRIUMPH GREAT DRAMA AT NATIONAL Truly. The Patriot'’ is one of the leaders of cinematic achievement. This ' wonder film” by Paramount opened at the National Theatre last night, and those who viewed the performance were convinced thet* had witnessed a film masterpiece. Headed by the incomparable Emil Jannings. "The Patriot” strings along in a smooth man - ner resol vine: from

ner resolving irom one sequence into another with as fine a climax as was ever portrayed by any group of players. Jannings is superb, and gives us a characterisation that will long be remembered. He has achieved the absolute pinnacle of dramatic perfection in this Dicture.

picture. The great actor portrays Mad Tsar ! Paul, Autocrat of all the Russias. He | was a most fascinating figure, so historians tell us, and Jannings has succeeded in capturing the spirit of his | ■ character. Mad Paul had the heart of a child, and the brain of a tiger. Janf nings portrays both. j There are others in the cast, too. who add to the film triumph. Florence ; Vidor is delightful as the Countess Ostermann; Lewis Stone as Pahlen. and; the leading figure in the conspiracy, has done his best work to date; Neil ■ Hamilton as the Crown Prince Alex- ; ander gives a very human character. ! Others who contribute are Vera VoroI nina and Harry Cording. | Ernst Lubitsch directed this epic, j and it must be said the European di- : rector has succeeded in bringing to ; the screen the famous stage play by Alfred Neumann in a most successful manner, perhaps eclipsing any other picture he has made. It is easy to discern that Lubitsch and Jannings have thrown their every resource into j this one film. Seldom have the theatre-goers of : this city been privileged to witness | such a picture as “The Patriot.” It is j the peer of them all from every standpoint. The entertainment was made even ; more enjoyable by the specially syn- ; chronised musical score played by the orchestra. Mr. F. Bartlett weilded the baton. The programme also includes a number of short and interesting films, including a gazette and comedy.

GRETA GARBO AGAIN ""Greta Garbo achieves a new screen triumph in 'The Mysterious Lady.” which will be seen here shortly, as a | new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature. with the famous

Swedish star in the exotic role of a Russian spy. In her latest film production. Miss Garbo is the heroine of a vivid plot centreing about military intrigue that engulfed Europe before the World War, plotting the downfall of a young enemy Tficer, whom she

realises that she loves after he has ! been disgraced. Conrad Nagel plays opposite Miss Garbo as the dashing t Austrian cavalryman who falls under I the charm of the beautiful spy. - | “Romance of the Underworld,” Fox I Film crook drama, is shortly to be re- ' leased in New Zealand. This picture r of the drab side of New York tells B the story of a girl who succeeds in “ | breaking away from the influences of 1 . her former companions in a speakj" easy, where she served as a hostess. 1 Mary Astor. Robert Elliott, John Boles and Ben Bard have the leading roles.