STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 173, 12 October 1927, Page 19

STRAND

VOTING FOR “MISS N.Z. 1927” Keen interest has been aroused in the appearance of the 10 provincial finalists of the ‘Miss New Zealand 1927” screen star contest at the Strand Theatre. Seldom have picture-goers had the opportunity of choosing a star, who will represent their country in filmland. This is .really what is happening in Auckland at the present time, and it is the desire of the Strand management that the Auckland public should take their voting seriously, and choose the girl whom they think worthy of representing New Zealand in Hollywood. The 10 girls present a sparkling programme, a unique and dazzling fashion revue of evening gowns and sports outfits, and in addition, screen tests to demonstrate their acting ability. “Heaven on Earth,” starring Renee Adoree and Conrad Nagel, is the picture feature. Miss Adoree takes her audience through a veritable avalanche of emotions from a comedy to tragedy, blending and shading each scene with an understanding that betrays the real artiste in her. Her “Marcella” is one of the screen’s most vivid portraits. Conrad Nagel has never done better work than he does as “Durand,” the man who revolts against his near imprisonment by fate. Nagel paints the soul struggle of a man who has been brought up with everything already done for him. and the result of his being suddenly thrust into a world that does not understand him.

Gwen Lee, one of the most decorative of the younger screen players, is seen as Nagel’s fiancee, and looks particularly charming in the dress of 1914.

The supporting programme is composed of the Strand Magazine, with the latest topical events, world news and scenes of recent events in New Zealand. A cartoon and a comedy conclude the pictorial programme.

An excellent musical entertainment is rendered by the Strand Symphony Orchestra under Eve Bentley. “Light Cavalry” (Suppe) is rendered as the overture. Other musical numbers included are “Traume” (Wagner), “Ginsy Songs” (Dvorak). “Last Spring” (Grieg>. “L'Arlesienne Suite” (Bizet), “Hillside Melody” (Montague Phillips) and “Elsa's Dream” (Wagner).

Erich von Stroheim’s Paramount, picture, “The Wedding March,” is practically completed. He is now engaged, in cutting and editing it, and has taken up his quarters in the Paramount Studios to complete the work. As art extravaganza, “The Wedding March,” it is anticipated, will have few equals, for it comprises a succession of mag-n*-ficent sets hitherto unattempted in film production.