PRINCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 245, 6 January 1928, Page 15

PRINCESS

“ROSE OF THE GOLDEN WEST”

A powerful drama of fiery-blooded youth, patriotism which burns like a white-hot flame, and for which no sacrifice is too great, and a great and touching romance which knows no bounds—of these heroic elements Iras George Fitzmaurice fashioned a powerful, compelling film drama in "Rose of the Golden West,” his spectacular production for First National Pictures, which opened at the Princess Theatre last night. Not only is Fitzmaurice a master of drama and romance, but lie is an artist in pictorial beauty and splendour, and ki “PJase of the Golden West” he has a perfect setting and a lavish production for the canvas on which to display his mastery of exquisite kinematography. The beautiful atmosphere of California in the days when that romantic land was under Spanish rule has been captured for the silver sheet as only Fitzmaurice could do it. A gay, care-free people, playing with love and life under langourous skies, in a kingdom where care was unheard of—this is the background upon which the director has stamped his moving, emotional drama. No finer performance has been seen on the screen this season than that of Gilbert Roland’s as the patriotic young caballero who is willing to sacrifice his love for what he believes is patriotic justice. Mary Astor, in the feminine lead, has never been seen to better advantage, and her striking beauty is matched only by the note of sincerity and emotion which she brings to her performance.

Montagu Love and Gustav von Seyffertitz are outstanding in character roles, and Flora Finch contributes an unusual characterisation.

‘Soft Cushions,” which was also shown last night, offered an unusually favourable opportunity for Miss Bue Carol’s first venture. A pronounced brunette, she is perfectly suited for tbe role of the langourous Oriental slave girl, who wins Mac Lean’s heart in his new Paramount picture The Princess Orchestra, under tne baron Mr. Howard Moody, played "La *aioma” as the overture, and during the evening also contributed "The Arcadians” (Monckton), "In a Persian Night's- f A l Y lle . her) - “Decameron -r ' t (Fmch), “Capriccio Espagnol ” Traviata,” and “Carmen” (Bizet).