THRILLS AND ROMANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 928, 22 March 1930, Page 14

THRILLS AND ROMANCE

“DEVIL MAY CARE” AT THE REGENT ATTRACTIVE MUSICAL PLAY To win the heart of a pretty maid and restore the exiled Napoleon to the throne of France are the two ambitions in the life of Armand Treville, the dashing young cavalry officer played by Ramon Novarro in “Devil May Care,” at the Regent Theatre last evening. He succeeds in both, but before the curtain falls on the traditional happy ending romance and high adventure crowd through a thrilling story. The colour and pageantry of the period also help largely in the making of a very successful picture. jQ EBON AIR young Ramon Novarro is ideally cast. Dark and handsome, and with a rich musical voice which he lifts in several very lilting numbers, he has all the requirements that a popular talkie artist could desire. Undoubtedly “Devil May Care” is his greatest success to date, and it prophesies a very succesful future in talkie productions.

. Rhe story has a picturesque opening. It is the abdiction of Napoleon Bonaparte and his farewell to his beloved troops before proceeding into exile at Elba. Armand Treville is one of his followers, and in the succeeding reign of Louis XVIII. plots with others to restore Napoleon to the throne. He is sentenced to death but escapes almost when the muskets of the firing squad, are at his breast. He seeks refuge in the room of a young girl, Leonie, who agrees to shelter him until she learns he is a supporter of Napoleon, when she promptly betrays him. Once again the reckless Armand wins his waythrough, but pausing, even with the dragoons at his heels, to tell her that no matter what she did to him he still thinks her the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.

He seeks refuge in the house of his friend, the Countess Louise, disguised as a footman. Leonie is her cousin and comes to take up her residence there. This gives rise to some verv humorous situations, also romantic ones, when Leonie loses her heart to the attractive, if rather impertinent young footman. Once again the dragoons are on his track and once again he makes his escape, this time to join Napoleon who has again set foot in France.

Later Armand learns that Leonie is about to be married to his rival. Again entering her bedroom by night the impetuous young officer carries her off by force. Ilis methods, although somewhat high-handed, appear to be very successful, and although the young lady puts up some resistance, the closing scenes seemed to indicate that she was not altogether unhappy in her captivity. As a musical play “Devil May Cave” is a very attractive production. The music is of the soft lilting type appropriate to the period and is very well sung. The “Shoe Song,” sung in the courtyard beneath Leonie’s window as Armand cleans her shoes, is very effective, as also are the several love songs that run through the picture. The chorus work is particularly good. There is the stirring song tbo “Old Guard” and also a very satirical number concerning the defects of Louis XVIII, sung by the prisoners awaiting sentence of death.

The song of the “Old Guard” is used throughout the picture with fine effect. Particularly good use is made of it in the scene depicting Napoleon returning to France from Elba. Napoleon is standing looking out over the bows of the vessel toward France. In his ears is the song of the “Old Guard” and through the billowing canvas is depicted his vision of his troops that marched with him over the burning sands of Egypt and the icy wastes of Russia. One sees him not as the “Corsican upstart,” but as the “Man of Destiny.” It is excellent photography. Opportunity is also taken of the anniversary of Napoleon's return, and the subsequent festivities, to introduce some very fine ballet work. The coloured effects are excellent. Marion Harris plays opposite Novarro and makes a very winsome and attractive little lead. A strong suporting programme includes a entertaining comedy entitled “Night Owls,” George Lyons (The Singing Harpist), an interesting picture of performing dogs, and a ITearst Gazette. The playing of “The Lilac Domino” music by the orchestra was warmly applauded.