“THE MIDNIGHT SUN”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 7

“THE MIDNIGHT SUN”

LONG-AWAITED FILM SUCCESS AT DE LUXE. A genuine screen treat is given patrons to tho Theatre De Luxe during the current change, for “The Midnight Sun,” featuring the beautiful and intensely popular Laura La Plante, is unsurpassed for the brilliancy and splendour in which it is produced. The picture was extravagantly billed, and the audience which witnessed the initial screening last night were fully satisfied that it upheld the reputation preceding it. The story of “The Midnight Sun” is one of intrigue and romance. Through the influence of Ivan Kusman, Russia’s most powerful banker, Olga Balashova, young and beautiful, has been advanced from the ranks of the Imperial Russian ballet to premier ballerina. Olga meets young Alexei Okuneoff, officer in the Grand Duke Sergius’s Guard. A great love develops between the boy and the girl. The revolutionary tendencies of Alexei’s brother have brought about the latter’s arrest. In order to secure his pardon Olga, unknown to Alexei, visits the Grand Duke’s apartments. Alexei denounces the girl, insults the Duke, renounces the Government and joins the revolutionaries. Out of all this comes a powerful dramatic picture story. Laura La Plante and Raymond Keane are two striking examples of how screen success may be reached. For Miss La Plante the way was hard and difficult. For Keane it was short and easy. Both have reached . their goal. The two are now playing leading roles in this picture. Pat O’Malley and George Siegmann are the other principals in this spectacular picture story of St Petersburg in the days of the last Czar. Others in the cast are Arthur Hoyt. Earl Metcalf, Mikhael Vavitcb, Russia’s foremost comedian; Nickolo ’ Soussanin, Medea Bndzina, Cesare Gravina, Nina Romano, Daniel Makarenko, Victor De Linsky, Charles A. Hancock, and William'von Hardeuberg. Dimitri Bnchowetzki directed the picture. . c 4 specially selected programme of music is played by the Orchestra De Luxe, under the baton of Miss A. Bruges, incidental items including the following Overture ‘‘Faust’’ (Gounod), “Russia” (MoskowskO, Marche de la Cloche” (Delibes) ‘‘Ballet Russe (Luigini), “Bartered Bride (Smetana), “Ballet Music” (Borodin), “Suite” (German), ‘ Dance Suite (TscKakoff), “Elegie “Russian Dance” (Friml), A Night in Granada” (Krentzer), Suite Caracteristique” (Tregma). Adding effect to the pleasing atmosphere pervading the theatre is the splendid lighting effects, while the pretty miniature fountains on either sule of the stage make a charming finish to the opneral colour scheme. The De Luxe programme for the current week will attract big houses.