SINS OF THE FATHERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 762, 7 September 1929, Page 14

SINS OF THE FATHERS

COMEDY AND PATHOS AT THE MAJESTIC A POWERFUL PICTURE Emil Jannings, in the role of a German waiter, was the leading figure in “Sins of the Fathers,” the Paramount sound-synchronised picture which headed the new programme at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Well known as a versatile actor, Jannings had plenty of scope to display his talents as a weak-willed father, a successful cafe-owner, a millionaire bootlegger, a humbled old man and a happy grandfather. Comedy and pathos are delicately blended, and Jannings expresses the wide diversity of emotions with excellent appreciation of what is called for by each part. Though, in places, tragedy enters the story, Jannings never loses the value of his acting by descending to the maudlin. A Clever plot, showing the principal actor in a variety of situations and abounding in contrasts, Jannings is admirably cast, the good nature of the German waiter triumphing over his baser side, even in his moments of anger. Opposite him Ruth Chatterton plays the unscrupulous and beautiful adventuress,’ handling her difficult part with tact and understanding. As the crafty woman who inveigles the weak and vain cafe-owner on to his own destruction, her acting is admirable. The story opens when William Spengler, a German waiter, is discharged for spilling food on the dress of an influential patron of- the restaurant where he works. On that same day a son is born to him and toward the future of the boy Spengler plans and works, vowing that he will never be a waiter as was his father. His love for his son prevents him being discouraged, and ho plans and saves until he

has a successful cafe of his own, sacrificing his wife’s' health and his daughter’s love for the sake of his son’s future.

From then onward tlio picture abounds in tense situations, and the manner in which Spengler is finally disgraced and humbled before being reconciled to the bosom of his family, makes a story of unusual interest and appeal, the whole gamut of human emotions being traversed. The supporting programme includes a laughable all-talkie comedy, featuring George Jessell, a section of farcical cross-talk by Claplmm and Dwyer, the famous I’adio comedians, the Fox News and Eve’s Review, part of which shows glimpses of the River Thames, which have been photographed in colour.

An attractive item during the evening was incidental music, including the ever-popular “Blue Danube” waltz, by Johann Strauss, played by the Majestic Octette, led by Mr. J. WhitefordWaugh.