GRAND AND LYRIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 786, 5 October 1929, Page 19

GRAND AND LYRIC

’. “BLACK MAGIC” With the booming throb of Papuan drums and the shadowy terrors of the Papuan bush as the psychological background for a fascinating drama of the South Seas, “Black Magic” strikes a new note in pictures of this type. The film, mow showing at the Grand and Lyric Theatres, is in many respects a radical departure from the

conventional productions with a tropic locale, and its ingenious “fear plot” and basis' of native sorcery make it unusually interesting and absorbing. Noted for . his handling of adventurous and unique themes, George B. Seitz has made

William Boyd this film one of the most successful dramas of his directorial career. The suspense is skilfully built up to a thrilling crisis, and the unexpected climax will surprise every spectator. Excellent and distinctive characterisations by the nine leading players also are feaures. Josephine Dunn, Henry B. Walthall and John Holland enact the principal roles, with Earle Foxe, Ivan Linow, Dorothy Jordan, Sheldon Lewis, Fritz Feld and Blue Washington in the supporting cast.

William Powell is the star of the second big feature at both theatre.s. This is “Power,” an unusually thrilling drama of life at a big hydro-electric plant in the mountains.

David Butler, Sue Carol and Nick Stuart experienced their first airplane ride while in Europe making the Fox picture, “Chasing Through Europe”. The three soon became accustomed to flying as that mode of transportation was repeatedly used in making the picture.