STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 457, 12 September 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“SUNRISE” The amazing film, “Sunrise,” now being shown at the Strand Theatre, has been made by the great Continental director, Dr. F. W. Marnau, from a story by Heiman Sudermann. entitled “A Song of Two Humans.” What Murnau has done with George O’Brien is amazing. He has found pliable material in Janet Gaynor and has moulded a screen character of sympathy and interest. Murnau has taken two people from a type that is limited to elementary thinking and limits itself more - to action. Into a farmhouse where the head of the family is happy in the possession of an adoring -wife and baby, Murnau drops a city girl who brings tragedy with her. Margaret Livingston has the difficult part of breaking up this happy home, planting in the man’s, mind the conviction that he should drown his wife and go with her to the city. The wife, knowing nothing of this evil plot, accompanies her husband in his boat,’ but the criminal thought is not as strong as his conscience and he fails to kill her. He takes her to shore and she is pursued by him on a trolley to the city, where a fashionable wedding party awakens romance in this crude pair. They have a happy honeymoon of a few hours and in this part of the picture some of Murnau’s best work shows itself. On the return trip home a storm arises and as the husband tries to save the wife their boat turns' over and she is swept away. Thinking she is dead, the man resolves to kill his temptress. This time his conscience does not interfere with his intentions, but he is interrupted by word that his wife has been found, still living. in renewed happiness the pair again face the sunrise. The supporting programme includes a beautiful stage presentation entitled “The Angelus.” The Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Miss Eve Bentley, presents an excellent programme of incidental music.