MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 69, 13 June 1927, Page 13

MAJESTIC

“LOVE OF SUNYA” The usual high standard of entertainment is provided at the Majestic Theatre this week. Heading the programme is Gloria Swanson’s first independent production, “The Love of Sunya,” which was chosen out of the world’s best pictures to open the giant Roxy Theatre, New York, a few weeks ago. This theatre holds 8,000 people, and it was fitting that a picture of the magnitude of “The Love of Sunya” should open this magnificent pleasurehouse. A wide variety of fine settings provides one of the features of the picture. These settings have been necessary, in view of the fine characterisations which Gloria Swanson, the chief artist, is called upon to play. Through the medium of an Indian for-tune-teller she is permitted to see her future as it would be were she to choose the paths open to her by marriage. She is found in the characterisation of the temperamental opera

singer who captivates Paris. Then she portrays a school teacher and. finally, the wife of a millionaire. The most interesting scenes are said to be the reproductions of the Opera Comique in the French capital. Miss Swanson desired to make motion pictures of this historic structure, for use in the picture, but officials explained they could not permit this. So the star had photographs made from which Hugo Ballin, noted art director, produced exact duplicates for the picture. The poor man’s hut, in which Miss Swanson lives in her characterisation of the poverty-stricken school teacher, was copied from a house photographed in a small village near New Y’ork. The millionaire’s home is lavish to the smallest detail, and as the scene of many gay and hilarious parties, is one of the most striking “sets” in the picture.. There will be a number of entertaining supports, which include a comedy. “Time Flies,” a Majestic News, an Eve’s Review and screen tests in connection with the film star quest for Miss New Zealand 1927. Jack Lumsdaine. whose songs have delighted recent audiences, will make his final appearance with a “request week.” Appropriate music to be given includes an overture, “Maritann” (Wallace), and a selection from “1 di Lammermoor” (Donizetti > %