STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“LOVES OF CARMEN” “Loves of Carmen,” the screen version of the famous opera. “Carmen,” with Dolores Del Rio and Victor McLaglen in the leading roles, is now being offered at the Strand Theatre as the chief pictorial attraction. A remarkable cast appears in support of the principals, and the director. Raoul Walsh, has excelled his own fine record in producing a picture which is strong with realism and accurate as to the atmosphere of its many scenes. Don Alvarada plays the role of Jose. In the supporting cast are such well-known players as Nancy Nash, Rafael Valverde, Mathilde Comont. Jack Bastian, Carmen Costello and Fred Kohler. Last night’s audience evidenced exceptional satisfaction, and there is every reason to assume that Fox has scored another triumph. There is a delightful prologue preceding the photoplay. Miss Bettina Edwards is the solo dancer, and dances an intricate measure with abandon, while a toreador sings the famous song from the opera “Carmen.” The Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Eve Bentley, provides a delightful musical programme and specially features as their overture selections from the famous “Carmen.” Among the -many numbers included in the incidental music are “Peppa” (Dance Espagnole, Michaels), “Genevieve De Brabant” (Offenbach), “Verbena de la Paloma” (Breton), “Habenera” (Herbert) and “La Morena” (Chaminade). A special attraction on the supporting programme is a film showing Tom Heeney in training at his camp in America.. An interesting Strand Magazine, an Aesop Fable and a unique Nature Study film, “Strange Friendships,” are included on the programme.