STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 419, 30 July 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“LOVES OF CARMEN” Another screen miracle, “Loves of Carmen,” with Dolores Del Rio and Victor McLaglen, has come to the screen at the Strand Theatre. Although the film has only been presented for two days, many hundreds of Auckland picture-lovers have viewed this film, and have left the theatre delighted and very enthusiastic in their praise of this masterpiece. This picture, directed by Raoul Walsh, is out of the ordinary in more ways than one, for its brings befoi’e the camera in the same production, two popular players who leaped to fame in another Walsh production. They are Victor McLaglen and Dolores Del Rio, who played Captain Flagg and Charmaine respectively in “What Price Glory.” In addition the cast includes Ben Bard and Don Alvarado. The Strand Theatre has already earned a reputation for the presentation of film masterpieces “Carmen” adds another triumph to its list of successes. Miss Bettina Edwards, one of the most talented and beautiful dancers in Auckland, has arranged a vivid and daring prologue, taken from, a scene in the picture. It is undoubtedly the most novel yet produced at the Strand. Her partner sings “The Toreador” from Bizet’s opera and gives it the full value of his rich, melodious baritone voice. An appropriate and beautiful orchestral accompaniment is played by Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra. “Carmen” is the overture, and included in the incidental music are “Peppa/* from “Dance Espagnole” (Michaels), “Genevieve de Brabant” (Offenbach). “Per Omnes” (Chomel), “Habenera” (Herbert), “La Morena” (Chaminade) and “Serenata” (D’Autalffy).

Exclusive to the Strand Theatre is a special film showing Tom Heeney, New Zealand’s idol, training at his camp in America. A unique nature study film, “Strange Friendships” and an Aesop Fable, together with an interesting Strand Magazine, composes the supporting programme.