STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 718, 18 July 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“FOUR DEVILS” The line talking - production, “The Doctor’s Secret,” based on Sir James Barrie’s play and starring Ruth Chatterton and H. B. Warner, will be shown at the Strand Theatre for the last time this evening. “Four Devils*” a story of four circus acrobats portrayed by Janet Gaynor, [Nancy Drexel, Charles [Morton and Barry Norton, and of their early hardships and later successes, with triumphs almost bringing about tragedy instead of happiness, is the attraction coming to the Strand Theatre tomorrow.

"Four Devils” has been greeted with sensational praises wherever it has

been shown, one English critic writing: “It is the most wonderful film I have seen. The child players were marvellous and the likenesses excellent. It does not come as a shock when 3*oi» see them grown up—it was done so gradually, and I think Janet Gaynor’s entrance into the film was a marvellous piece

of work. The touch of Mary Duncan coming into the box was marvellous. The circus life was depicted well. As Marion, Miss% Gaynor was charming.” F. W. Murnau, noted director for Fox Films, whose jnitial effort in the United States, “Sunrise,” produced salvos of acclaim from critic and layman alike, has Janet Gaynor heading the cast of “Four Devils,” his latest production. The selection of Miss Gaynor presented no problem to Murnau. Iler experience with the directorial genius in “Sunrise” prepared her for his requirements. The remainder of the cast was a different matter.

Of course Farrell Macdonald, another artist benefiting from Murnau’s association in his first picture, was an exception. For the others many, many tests were required. The fortunate players he selected for roles in “Four Devils” were not stars of the first magnitude. Charles Morton. Nancy Drexel, Barry Norton and Mary Duncan have fine parts, and are considered the most envied members of the motion picture fraternity today. Among others cast in “Four Devils” are Claire McDowell, Jack Parker, Philippe de Lacy, Dawn O’Day, Anita Fremault, Wesley Lake and Anders Randolf. This picture will be accompanied throughout by a selected musical score played by the Roxy Theatre Orchestra of 110 soloists. The all-talking programme includes a Fox Movietone News, a speech by King Alphonso of Spain, some more delightful humour by Gertrude Lawrence and an hilarious farce, "The Bath Between.”