STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 725, 26 July 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“4 DEVILS” “4 Devils,” the film production which is continuing to attract record audiences to the Strand Theatre, is presented by a large cast including Janet Gaynor, Charles Morton, J ncy Drexel, Barry Norton, Farrell McDonald and Mary Duncan. The production deals with the adventures of four circus artists, and combines romance and thrills in a unique manner. The underlying theme is somewhat reminiscent of the famous opera, “I Pagliacei,” as it contains a clown who has to laugh before the public, while his painted face and grotesque costume mock the sorrow which consumes his mind. The four young people, bullied by the ring-master, are protected by the clown, who gradually assumes the office of their guardian. He fosters a romance which arises between Charles and Marion, two of his charges, only to see the young man lured from his fiancee by a wealthy Parisienne, who is attracted by the skill and daring of the acrobat. Directed by Murnau, who was largely responsible for the success of “Sunrise,” the films abounds in human interest, and the combination of pathos and humour, which is a leading feature of the film, is a tribute to the genius of the famous director. A climax is reached when Charles decides to forget the Parisienne and return to Marion. On the final night of the Paris season the Frenchwoman occupies a box near the stage, and tries to attract the young acrobat’s attention just prior to his most daring “stunt.” Unfortunately she catches the eyes of Marion, who loses her nerve and crashes to the ground. This picture is accompanied by a selected musical score played by the Roxy Theatre, New York, Orchestra of 110 soloists. The all-talking programme includes a Fox Movietone News.a speech by King Alfonso of Spain, and an hilarious farce, “The Bath Between,” by Clark and McCullough. Paul Page, who plays the role of Chick Slater in the Fox film “Protection,” is a native of Birmingham. Alabama, and speaks with a slow Southern drawl. In “Speakeasy” he plays the part of a young boxing champion—in this picture he is a go-getting, livewire reporter.