STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 403, 11 July 1928, Page 14

STRAND

ANOTHER BIG FILM “The Gaucho” Douglas Fairbanks's most magnificent and most thrilling photo-play, will have its final screening to-morrow evening. On Friday, Tolstoy’s famous urama of Russia of the Tsars will have its New Zealand premiere at the Sti*and Theatre. Did Count Leo Tolstoy, years before the World War, and the resultant cataclysm that plunged Russia into the’throes of rebellion, foresee the revolt that plunged his country into Bolshevism? This interesting speculation is vividly brought to light in the motion picture production, ‘Anna Karenina,” in which the Russian aristocracy at the height of its power is shown in a vivid spectacle. Incidents, situations, and striking details taken from the remarkable book, and viewed on the screen in the light of modern happenings, all hint of a prophetic vision on the part of the author —a prophecy that at the time he would not dare have voiced in direct words. One of the great love stories of all time has been translated to the screen at last in this breath-taking production, “Anna Karenina.” John Gilbert and Greta Garbo, who jscored so brilliantly in “Flesh and the Devil,” have the leading roles, those of the dashing, reckless Count Vronsky, and the tragic Anna respectively. A gorgeously staged prologue will precede the screening of the photoplay. This will be the famous “Coppelia” Ballet, taken from “Tales of Hoffman,” by Offenbach. Two excerpts from the famous ballet will be produced at the Strand by Mile. Valeska. First, the village scene outside the toy shop, where the familiar strains of the mazurka are heard, and the equally famous Tsardas. Secondly, the interior of the toy shop, where Coppelius tried to bring the child of his brain to life. The part of Dr. Coppelius will be enacted by George Tarr, that of Franz by Len Wilson, the villagers by Valeska’s Follies, and Swanilda by Mile. Valeska. Eve Bentley and her popular Strand Symphony Orchestra will provide a special musical programme, and will give as an overture “Marche Slave,” by Tschaikowsky.

Included in tfhe supporting programme will be a very interesting film, “Thrills in Many Lands,” and a very merry “Our Gang” comedy, “Rainy Days.”