STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 501, 2 November 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“THE STUDENT PRINCE”

Once again the Strand management is offering at the “Home of Big Pictures” a picture which would be difficult to surpass for sheer beauty of storv, photography and acting. This picture is “The Student Prince,” the screen version of the musical stage success presented a short time ago in Auckland. Ramon Novarro. in the role James Liddy plaved, is to the screen what Liddy was to the stage production. This is proved by the almost inspired way in which he enacts the role. Norma Shearer as Kathie to Novarro’s Karl Heinrich shows a new side to her artistry—a greater gift of characterisation than anyone dreamed* Lubitsch, master director, built wisely when he chose these two as the foundation of his great cast. The wonderfully sweet love story of the prince and the girl in the inn, their love, the happy days in Heidelberg and the tragedy that follows, are worked out as the same simple story of the stage play—but set in gigantic spectacle; in court ceremonies so huge that they oppress—as they did the young prince in the story. Huge castles, great ceremonies; pomp and spectacle—these are the backgrounds of the play. Crowds—hugeness—rules. Jean Hgrsholt, as Dr. Juttner, the tutor, does some remarkable acting. A teehnicolour production, “The Virgin Queen,” is presented on the supporting programme. This is the picturisation of the well-known story of Sir Walter Raleigh, who defied on more occasions • than one the great Queen Elizabeth, and who, through his great chivalry and his daring, obtained her pardon in each instance. A Strand Magazine concludes the pictorial programme. Throughout the screening of the photoplay, “The Student Prince,” Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra plays delightfully the music from the stage play. There is a beautiful stage presentation, the soloist being Miss Etta Field, who sings the love song which is the central scene of the play.