“MERRY WIDOW” SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 16

“MERRY WIDOW” SEASON

THIRD WEEK OPENS With its first freshness still undimin- j islied, “The Merry Widow” began the third week of its season at the Strand I Theatre yesterday. The picture, with its comely blending of romance and comedy, has the qualities essential to success, and just now it is making an emphatic bid to become the public favourite of the big features screened : at the theatre this year. “The Merry Widow,” which is, of course, based on Lehar's famous comic i opera, has an extraordinarily convinc- ‘ ing atmosphere, and that dear, riotous kingdom of Monteblanco grows real and vivid before the eyes of the audience. Then the characters themselves as they go various ways have variety and appeal. Sally, the inconspicuous dancer, who just “blows” into the place, suddenly finds herself beset by amorous barons and princes until the situation becomes at least embarrassing. Prince Danilo is denied love at the beginning, but time, with its mellowing influence, makes her look with kinder eyes on her royal swain. State complications, however, interfere with the proposed union, and the prince is told that matrimony with a foreign commoner was not diplomatically desirable. Sally is cast aside, and is made wife to the withered man who is the back-bone of Monteblanco’s finances. Erich Von Stroheim’s production of the film has all the nice attentions to details which make for success. There is colour and glitter, all the pomp and ceremony desirable. The cast is splendidly balanced, too, the principal parts being taken by Mae Murray, John Gilbert and Roy D’Arcy. A delightful prologue is furnished by Miss Ina Bosworth, violinist. Mile. Valeska and Eric Wilson. The incidental music is taken from “The Merry Widow” score, Miss Eve Bentley having her orchestra doing its work superbly well. . The second big attraction on the bill is the personal appearance of “Miss New Zealand” (Dale Austen), who recently returned from Los Angeles. Miss Austen gives a brief account of her travels which serves as prologue to the film, “Miss New Zealand in Movieland.” In this the more important episodes of her trip are chronicled.