TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 751, 26 August 1929, Page 14

TIVOLI

“THE CHARLATAN” The foibles of society women who ignorantly dabble in the intricacies of mysticism at soirees and seances, subjecting themselves, their fortunes and their affairs to the phantasies of a crystal ball and the scheming of fakirs, form the dramatic theme of “The Charlatan,” now at the Tivoli Theatre. Women, in particular have long been the patrons of every kind and degree of fortune-teller, from the lowly gipsy who foretells the future in return for having her palm crossed with silver, to the suave, polished “seer” so popular at society teas. The far-reaching effects of these “fortunes,” whether they emerge from a deck of cards, tea leaves in the bottom of a cup or from the more elaborate methods of the Hindu mystic, form the fascinating theme of “The Charlatan,” just as they often do in everyday society life. In “The Charlatan,” Holmes Herbert, the brilliant character actor, plays the Hindu seer, supported by a brilliant cast, including Roekliffe Fellowes, Margaret Livingston, Fred Mackaye, Philo McCullough, Anita Garvin, Crauford Kent, Rose Tapley, Dorothy Gould and others. Interesting supporting films are shown, also an unusually dramatic, although conventional, story of th e matrimonial troubles of a newly-mar-ried couple. Betty Bronson and Alec B. Francis have important roles.