STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 503, 5 November 1928, Page 17

STRAND

“THE STUDENT PRINCE” Never in the history of the photoplay has there been such a triumphant success as “The Student Prince,” which is now attracting large numbers of patrons to the Strand Theatre every night. “The Student Prince” is more than a triumph for Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer, who play its principal roles. It is more than a triumph for Ernst Lubitsch, that master of direction, who wove together the threads of the huge dramatic tapestry. It is more than a triumph for the technicians who built its gigantic settings—who constructed entire towns, huge, majestic castles —for its great backgrounds. It is a triumph for the screen as a whole., Ramon Novarro, as Karl Heinrich, a role immortalised on the stage by Mansfield, Boucicault and others, is superb. His triumph in “Ben-Hur” was spectacular; in “The Student Prince” it is the triumph of sheer artistry, for he makes his complex character live and be loved. He touches the ultimate in acting art. Norma Shearer is an adorable Kathie —she plumbs the very depths of emotion —and still casts an irresistible spell that charms the spectator even while that spectator is marvelling at the sheer art of her portrayal. A special stage and musical presentation precedes the presentation of the photoplay. Against a beautiful background, Miss Etta Field, the possessor of a rich soprano voice, sings the love song which is the central scene of th Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra renders melodies from the beautiful musical play. “The Virgin Queen, a beautiful teehnicolour picture, is an attraction which no one, especially those interested in history and notable people, should miss. This is the story Of Queen Elizabeth and the gallant Wal ter Raleigh, in the days when the “good Queen Bess” ruled England with an iron hand.