STRAND THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 56, 28 May 1927, Page 17

STRAND THEATRE

A UNIQUE SHOW “Seeing is believing” was never truer than in the astonishing spectacle of “The Birth of a Flower,” a fine nature film now being shown at the Strand Theatre. Without having viewed the picture one could well be excused scepticism of the possibility of the birth, life and death of a delicate bloom being transferred to the screen. This remarkable achievement was made possible by the invention of a special slow-motion camera which has recorded faithfully and well the minutest detail of the coming into the world of a fresh young bud with all the joy of dainty youth. It tells the life-story of a blossom in all its radiant glory, then the poignant scenes of its fading death. One’s emotions are involuntarily stirred, for how like this frail thing is man’s own life. This is not just an ordinary nature-study effect, but is a work of art such as appears all too rarely in a lifetime. Even the hardened theatre-goer will readily admit he has found something worth while after experiencing this revelation of Nature’s innermost secrets. The picture is made doubly interesting by a lecture given by Mr. <£larke Irvine, who is presenting the film. The lecturer explains lucidly tliQ various stages of development of the flower as its story is unfolded on the screen. The management of the Strand is to be congratulated on securing this unique and fascinating picture, which is undoubtedly of great educational value. The second attraction is entitled “Winners of the Wilderness, v a gripping drama of the early military history of the United States. Tim Mc-r Coy, as Colonel O’Hara, a dashing British officer, is a convincing actor. Featured opposite, the hero is Joan Crawford, a charming English girl who is a noted stage actress. A sweet romance is blended with the theme of the storj>- which tells of the stirring days when America was young. Perils from raids by Red Indians and surprise attacks from French armies, the hardships undergone by the pioneers*, all serve as a fitting background for a vivid and unusual tale. Great personalities of those eventful days are seen in George Washington, as a young captain in the service of the British Government, Captain Gates, a famous national patriot, and Captain Gage, an eminent soldier of the times. Briefly the plot of, the picture concerns the exploits of Colonel O’Hara, who steals a secret treaty between the French and the Indians of North America. He falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a French garrison commander and on the commencement of hostilities between the English and French he enters the enemy camp in disguise. The girl openly declares her love for the brave young officer who is captured and sentenced to death by a firingparty. At the eleventh hour he escapes in a sensational manner and the culminating point of his amazing daring is the winning of the girl for his bride. entertainment is a selection of numbers A popular feature of the evening’s from “No, No, Nanette.” rendered by the celebrated Strand Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mrs. Eve Bentley. Something new in the .way of the magazine section is provided in “The Opening of Canberra,” by the Duke of York.