EMIL JANNINGS IN "THE PATRIOT," AT GAIETY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 85, 13 May 1929, Page 2

EMIL JANNINGS IN "THE PATRIOT," AT GAIETY.

Czar Paul I. of Russia, who rcigned during the latter part of thc Eighteentli Centurv gainccl inlernational fame by being murdered! This fact was reci-utly brought to light with the presentatiou in Berlin of Alfred Neumaun's pilav, "The Patriot." Tt was written around the last few days of tlio Emperor's life, and in doing so, Neumann presented to the world knowledge of the interesting and colourful incidents that led up to the assassinotion of "crazy Paul." Paramount has taken the fnmous olay and adapted it to the sereen. ITans Kraly nerformed this work. and has fnithfully followed thc original plav in doing so. .Tannings impersonates Paul T. "Tbe Patriot" was purehased for the sereen by Paramount not only for its interesting nossihilities, but principallv because the leadinrr character offered Emil .Tannings. fhe aeknowledged greatest dramatic acfor on tho sereen to-dnv. the opportunitv to roneh the neak of his dramatic ahilitv. Puffice to sav, .Tannings has niadc Pa1'! T. renl, and almost ton-ible. sn realistic does he into'-nrot fhe ro]e nf a mad man. For Paul the First, was mad. Tlmrc is little donbt of that. Uistnric facts recentlv revealed for fhe first time, iwpsent hini as ha '"ing the heart of a ehild and n brain of a tiger. His aet.ions. his orders or "ed'ct=" prove that statement beyond a shadow of a douht. Paul T. was a grent man for show. He delighted in flarc aud colour. and also prided himself in his abih'fv to he th ° nei-feet drill sergeant. He would drill his men nntil they droimed from exhaustion. and then to show his neeuliar twist, of niind, would order the exhausted ones siain or hanlshed to Siberia for heeomiug in suoh a state. He once ordered a reghnent +e mareh and then forgot to halt them. Tlmy were '"u sueh a state of fenr of him that they marched into Siberia, where one hv one tliey dropped. Paul. on heing informed of this, lauglied heartilv. Historv relates that his subieet.s' fear of him was no greater than his fear of his subjeets. He constantlv feared being murdered. He built what he thought to he a murderproof eastle at St. Petersburg to liide in. His greatest fear would oocur at night, when alone. He could not escape himself. Paul had a good reason to fear for his life had he known it. His most trusted friend and adviser was the leading light in his downfoll. That man was Count Pahlen, Minister of Var. He pitied the Czar, yet pitied his oountrymen greater. He resolved to put the Czar ofr the throne and set C'rown Prinee Alexander upon it in his father's plsecT How he.accomnlished this, and tho many interesting incidents leading up to the elimax. serves to make "The Patript" the outstanding pic-ture and stoiw of the year. It has been ealled fhe "wonder pieture." and rightlv so. This filmed version of Russiap history was directed bv Ernst Luhitsch for Paramount. He assembled a remarkable east round tbe nreat Jnnnings. It ineludes Florone© Vidor as Countess Ostermann : Lewis Stone as Count Pahlen. and Nofl Hamilton as C'rown Prince Alexander. Two otber wellknown character artists nre Yera Voronia and Harrv Cording. The pieture opens for on extended season of four night? and one matinee at the Gaietv De Luxe to-morrow fTuesday) evening. The one and only matnee takes plaee on Wednesday, 2.45. The box plan for tbe entire season is now open at Hyde's. Reservations can be obtained h.v ringing 'phonc 2551 or 3809. Dress circle 2s 6d, plus tax.