A FILM TRIUMPH

Evening Star, Issue 20138, 1 April 1929, Page 7

A FILM TRIUMPH

' SUNRISE ' AT STRAND There havij' been many successful long-run features shown at tho Strand Theatre, but it may safely bo stated that none of the others had quite tho same entertaining qualities as ‘ Sunrise,’ the Fox feature production, which was presented for the first time in Dunedin on Saturday. The film has been hailed as “ the dawn of a_ new day in motion pictures,” and_ it introduces the onlookers to an entirely new standard of movie art. It is all that lias been claimed for it, and more. It is the inevitable result of masterly direction combined with [lawless photography and wonderful acting. Janet Gaynor and George O’Brien head tho cast—Janet Gaynor surpassing her former role as Diane in ‘Seventh Heaven,’ and George O’Brien again proving that ho is a player of great dramatic ability.

A plot of rare simplicity has been handled ,iu a manner that is. revolutionary yet tremendously effective, and so powerful in personal appeal that one becomes, during the screening of tho lilm, ou equal terms with the characters of tho story. The director, Dr If. IV. Murnau, has done fine work with George O’Brien. He has tound pliable material in Janet Gayuor, and has moulded a screen character of sympathy and interest. To him tho players have been merely puppets who have served to illustrate a theme, and tiiis theme is conveyed with a. remarkable singleness of purpose. Tim three principal people arc known simply as the man (George O’Brien), tho wife (Janet Gaynor), and the city woman (Margaret Livingston). Similarly the settings of the picture arc nameless. They represent any American city and any simple I arm. Tlie story of ‘Sunrise’ is that of a .young farmer and his wife who have lived very happily for a long time, until a city woman comes cm vacation to that district. The farmer and this woman meet, and lie becomes infatuated. They are always together, and money-lenders begin to sell up the farm to cover debts The woman induces him to give up fanning and to move to the city, pointing out to him that tho only obstacle is bis wife, but she could easily be “drowned accidentally.” This is a terrible blow to the man, but eventually he decides to do it, but the premeditated crime fall too heavily ou his conscience, with the icsult that he sullenly rows her back to shore. She flees to tlie city, and it is a long time before they can understand each other again. The wife becomes deliriously happy in her husband’s now affection and kindness, fruit of his repentance. They visit an amusement park where they dance, and then they go to a photographer to have their photos taken. Returning full of glee in .the evening ou their second honeymoon in tho small era It that had been used in the morning, a. storm arises and the boat capsizes. The wife is carried away in the back current, and after a long, vain search for his wife when the storm has hilled, tho husband seeks the city woman with the intention of killing her. Ho meets her and a struggle ensues, but lie hears cries that his wife has been recovered safely. At sunrise tho following day the woman returns to the city, and together the husband and wife face tho sunrise with renewed Jove and happiness. Tho presentation of ‘ Sunrise ’ is accompanied by excellent orchestral effects and an appealing musical score. The Strand News Review, showing some notable events in Europe, and a Fox comedy, entitled ‘ A Nip o’ Scotch,’ are the supporting features.