Foresters’ Hall Pictures

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 2

Foresters’ Hall Pictures

“THE GREAT WALTZ” Magic melodies of Vienna amid a dramatic, romantic story of the musician who was the voice of the gayest city in the world, brings Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet and Miliza Korjus, Viennese opera star, to the screen in •‘The Great Waltz,” drama of the life of Johann Strauss, now playing at the Foresters' Hall Pictures to-day at 1.40 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Monday at 8.15 p.m. Not only the physical Vienna of the period but its spirit are caught in the romantic story of the Waltz King’s life and loves. Strauss* waltzes and operetta airs are presented in spectacular sequences in the Imperial Opera, the Dommayer Casino, grand ball sequences and the court of Emperor Franz Josef. Thrills are provided by the Revolution in the days of Mettcrnich. Romance abounds. The story deals with the composer from the time he lost his position as a bank clerk and turned to music to his final honours in the Emperor’s court. His marriage to the sweetheart of his youth and his subsequent infatuation for a brilliant opera star who sends him back to his faithful wife, form the plot against which dazzling spectacle, ballets and other glamorous incidents bedeck the bestloved music in the world. Gravet, French star, plays Strauss, appearing throughout the story as a young man until the final scenes where ho appears during old age, the Strauss best known L to the world. Luise Rainer is appealing and powerfully dramatic as Poldi, wife. Mme. Korjus, credited with of the greatest voices in the world, a fine tlair for comedy, is beautiand makes Carla Dinner, the singer, glamorous figure. An excellent supjKjrting programme hides ‘‘Glimpses of Australia 7 *

(Fitzpatrick Traveltalk in colour), “Weather Wizards 77 (Pete Smith specialty) and “Clown Princes 77 (Our Gang comedy).