Paramount Around the World (1931)

I*(tge 5 6 4 TABU” HAILED IN WORLD DEBUT! I 1^ The New York Telegram BEALrr I FULLY pliotograi)hed, excellently told without the use of subtitles, and accompanied by an appropriate musical score, “Tabu” seems to me to represent one of the finest examples of the art of the silent motion picture. That Murnau was an artist is everywhere evident in this film, not only in the arrangement of his compositional effects — some of them possess the quality of obi rare paintings — but also in tbe brilliant way he tells his story. A photoplay that is above the average and that should be seen. DAI LY a N E:WS IT is stunningly, exquisitely photograpbed. Ami there are several tbrilling shots — especially the one where the boy dives into tbe tabu waters, and is for ])crilous moments at tbe mercy of a huge shark. Ifirectorially, “Tabu” is smoothflowing, and its story is told interestingly. Certainly the adventure lovers will appreciate it. / WBW YOBK (y Evening Graphic Photographically it is more beautiful than anything which has come from that part of the world so rich in its own camera possibilities. And besides this it has a dramatic power through its love story, a Polynesian idyll brilliantly recorded in its own primitive atmosphere. It is a masterpiece on celluloid, the kind of picture which one would have expected the brilliant Murnau to bring back. NEW.^YORK TABLT" is a genuine motion picture poem, a quietly lyric talc of native life in the South Seas that is inescapably lovely in its pictorial values. "Tal)u” is recommended to you as an entrancing cinema adventure into a beautiful primitive life — and for the enchanting straightforwardness of tbe Polynesian heroine. L-J ORGEOUS photography does VJ justice to the lyrical beauty of the backgrounds, and the simple little story is told with much charm. There are effective shots of the natives diving for pearls, fishing with the trident, and dancing the ceremonial dances, which become almost frenzied with the increased tempo of the tom-toms. 'I'he value of the picture is immeasurably enhanced by an exquisite musical score. ENJ HUSIASi 1C applause, lollowcd b)' tipprcciative coninients from a discriminating brsl-night audience greeted the initial unfolding of “Taint” at the new Central Park Theatre, New York, on March 18. There wuis only one tragic note to dim the gaiety of the premiere, the sad fact that F. W. Murnau, the brilliant director, was not present to receive the crown of laurel for his masterpiece. Murnau died m Cahtorma on March 11 from miuries received 111 an automobile accident, thus bringing to an untimely end one of the most illustrious careers in motion |)iclures. tie had planned to be jiresent at the ojiening and then go to Cennany for a vacation before starting on his new production plans. Practically all the reviews paid tribute to him. “Tabu,” his last picture, is a monument to his artistic genius. orbidden Loveliest daughter of the South Seas . . . she was set aside for the love of the Gods... but Matahi, that bronzed young giant wanted her . . . and he feared neither Gods nor man. F. W. -S Crowning Achievement ABU A Paramount Release Produced by the director of “Last Laugh,” and “Four Devils” in collaboration with ROBERT FLAHERTY , producer of “Nanook of the North ” The first real romance ofthe South Seas the camera has ever caught, portrayed by an all native cast! A thrilling story of uncivilized love with radiant Reri, loveliest daughter of the South Seas and handsome fearless Matahi, broad of shoulder, long of limb. Musical score by HUGO RIESENFELD. W <» It I. I» !• It E M I E It E WEDNESIIAY 8:45 P. Reserved seats on sale for premiere Cont. at Popular Prices thereafter. LEO BRECHER'S A C E N T R A L ^ ' I* A R K THliATttE (formerly Jolson's) Seventh Avenue at 59th Street ^ 1 R-ANGEL^" stirring, inilcscribkJ ably affecting, "Tal,u,” Murnaii s passion poem in inctiires, came to the screen last night, bearing all the lotus-like beauty of Southern Seas. Sapphire skies starred with little clouds, tall palms silhouetted against a heaven-filling moon, placid lagcx.uis, laughing water-falls, a S])arkling sea with just a threat of menace in its beckoning siu-ay— these form tbe background for a romance sweet and sad as love’s last kiss. And through it all, there is a mighty simplicity, a ])rimal ])urity and innocence, an unspoiled beauty that creates a great postalgia for lands less "civilized" than ours. BROOKLYN DAILY ElVGLE haiulsoinely pimlijgraplied I picture is reminiscent of such other notable pictorial achieveiiients as "Moana” and “White Shadows of the South Seas." “Tabu,” however, is not merely a camera nature stinb-, it has a real interesting story to tell, Mr. Murnau will never know that his final effeu't was also one of his best. Sljje jJurk IT is an enchanting piece of idiotography synchronized with a most iileasing music score. It is like a picture poem with its sunshine and hapiducss in the beginning and its stormy drama in the end. These natives give remarkable performances. ^‘‘rpAllU,’' IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FILM! Follozciiii/ a scnc.'; of small teaser ads, flic advance eainpaigii hlossomed out ill attractive neiospapcr ads that coirviiu ingly sold the public on the spirit and subject matter of the film. fashioned in the Society Islands with native Polynesians as actors, is a lo\ely idyllic tragedy, which takes place against the clouds and fronds of the South .Seas — thcise same South .Seas that have been' magically described by MeUille, O’Brien, .Somerset Maugham, .Stevenson and others. Here ihc late F. W. Murnau and Robert Flaherty hare jiainled them with a camera, a silent one, and the film is, with benefil of a synchronized score, effectively arranged by Hugo Riesenfehl. It is quite beautiful. .\t any rate, it was worth doing, worth jirescnting and -worth going to see. Some ol it is really as lo\ el_\' as a poem, some of it is touching, all of it is beautiful to look at. The directors have pictured striking native dances wherein the Polynesians, lithe, beautiful, unsullied and innocent in their little Paradises, their (.lardens of Eden of sky, foliage and crystal-clear water, undulate rhythmically, fascinatingly. Indeed, talkies or no talkies, "Tabu” makes you admire it.