STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 171, 10 October 1927, Page 15

STRAND

“MISS N.Z. 1927” CONTEST The last stages of the great film star quest have been reached, and on Auckland rests the responsibility of the casting vote. Every centre, every small town, has had its vote, and each vote, whether it be cast from a small backblock settlement or from one of the four centres, bears the same value. It is the desire of the Strand management that the Auckland public wil: take the voting seriously, and help in selecting the girl they think worthy of acting as New Zealand’s ambassador in Hollywood. Voting commenced today, and as the Dominion finalists will be appearing both at the matinee and in the evening, patrons will have ample opportunities to cast their votes. An entirely new programme, which has been described as “a charming! pageantry of brilliance and colour,” is being presented by these 10 b<iautiful girls. They will first present a beautiful fashion parade of evening gowns. Then the finalists will appear as ‘‘The Sports Girl,” ‘‘The Surf Girl,” “The Snow Girl,” “The Yachtswoman,” “Mademoiselle Jazz,” “The Golf Girl,” “Miss Ascot,” “The Danseuse ” “The Tennis Girl,” “‘The Hunting Girl,” and “Miss 1930.” Screen tests are also shown to enable the audience to judge their photographic ability. A big picture programme supports the main attraction. The feature picture is “Heaven On Earth,” starring Renee Adoree and Conrad Nagel. “Heaven On Earth” contains the most spectacular war scenes ever photographed, with the possible exception of those in “The Big Parade.” The war itself, however, does not play as important a role in the current production, though the climax is built up immeasurably by the presence oi! this episode. Renee Adoree brings all her piquant charm and vivid imagination to the role of the little gipsy who turns soldiers’ entertainer during the war. Her emotion seems to come entirely from a true conviction of the reality of the role rather than a perfection of technique. Conrad Nagel is seen opposite Miss Adoree in the role of Edmond Durand, who rebels against the prison that his parents have built up about him, to live a life of his own choosing. Nagel has never been more charming, and in the last .scenes of the picture, as the French soldier, he does some emotional acting that he has never touched before. Gwen Dee is as beautiful as ever in tyhe role of Nagel’s fiancee, and Antonio d’Algy gives an interesting portrayal of the young French lieutenant who is killed by an exploding shell. A Strand Magazine, composed of recent events in New Zealand, and latest British news, a comedy, and cartoon, conclude the % supporting programme. The musical programme rendered by the Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Eve Bentley, is in itself an entertainment. “Eight Cavalry” (Suppe) is rendered as the overture. Other musical numbers included in the programme are “Traume” (Wagner), “Gipsy Songs” (Dvorak), “East Spring” (Grieg), “L’Arlesienne Suite” (Bizet), “Hillside Melody” (Montague-Phillips), and “Elsa’s Dream” (Wagner).