STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 16

STRAND

“SEVENTH HEAVEN” That Auckland plcturegoers have excellent taste in pictures, is eloquently shown by the crowded and enthusiastic audiences which have filled the strand Theatre at every presentation of the wonder film, “Seventh Heaven.” Fox Films have made their mighty motion picture from Austin Strong’s celebrated stage play of the same name, and have brought into prominence two artists who have left the most hardened critics at a loss to find superlatives enough in praise of their work. Janet Gaynor, who plays Diane, the tragic wait of the Parisian underworld, was playing extra roles, a little more than two years ago. She made her Fox debut in “The Johnstown Flood,” playing a dramatic role which brought her to the attention of officials. She was then signed for leading roles, and mounted from the small part of “The Johnstov/n Flood” to “The Midnight Kiss” and other Fox productions, to the featured role of the greatest love story' ever brought to the screen, ‘ Seventh Heaven.” Miss Gaynor’s remarkable work in this has earned for her the title of “The Duse of the Screen,' ’and It is well deserved, for there are few actresses who can so control the emotions of an audience that they can make them laugh or cry at their will. Charles Farrell, the handsome, audacious Chico—-“a very remarkable fellow”—cleaner of the Paris sewers, has made a meteoric rise to the heights in just such a sensational manner as has Miss Gaynor. A splendid cast in all roles of importance includes Ben Bard, David Butler, Albert Gran, Gladys Brockwell as the drink crazed sister of Diane in the film, Kmile Chautard and George Stone. Miss Phyllis Hazel and Mr. Birrell O’Malley are the soloists for the prologue, which depicts the view over Paris from Chico’s retreat among the housetops. The musical programme presented by 13ve Bentley’s famous Strand Symphony Orchestra is worthy of special mention. The Strand Symphony Orchestra specially feature as their overture ‘Mignon” (Thomas). On the programme is also an interesting Strand Magazine, with the latest topical budgets and world news.