FIERY GIPSY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 19

FIERY GIPSY

“REVENGE” AT MAJESTIC DOLORES DEL RIO AGAIN A popular star, an outstanding picture, and a sound supporting programme. This trio of facts tells the tale of success for the new Majestic bill, offered for the first time last evenl typical Dolores Del Rio film, had pride of place, and the remainder of the evening held many pleasant surprises on both the screen and the stage. Once again the Majestic must be credited with providing a cinema evening of unusual worth. From the shortest news budget to the feature offering, its items musical interlude was a gem of its kind. A short but interesting educational film was the opening item last evening. Tracing the course of water for city supply from the hill creeks to the dining table, it gave onlookers a privileged glimpse behind the scenes of an every-day process. Then the news of the world in the Majestic magazine, followed by one of those inimitable “Our Gang” comedies,, in which the youngsters open a babies’ home on their own amazing system. A Pathe pot-pourri of this and that provided another delightful quarterhour. Based on the news gazette principle, yet embracing something much more than a mere chronicle of pictorial events, these ’•shorts” are becoming increasingly popular. The latest touches on everything from to-day’s inventions to a glimpse of feminine fashions—of 20 years ago.

For an all-too-short interval Miss Margaret St. Lawrence-Toner held a richly-curtained stage. This pianist has a charming style and is a brilliant mistress of her instrument. Chopin’s rippling and colourful “Valse, E Minor,” was her first number, followed by “Toccata” (De Bussy), the technical stumbling blocks of which she surmounted excellently.

“Revenge” may not be Dolores Del Rio’s greatest picture, but no production has given her a role more suitable or so replete with opportunities for her particular powers. As the fiery gipsy girl, daughter of a bear-tamer of the mountains, she fairly “made” the film.

A special United Artists production, personally directed by Edwin Carewe. the man who discovered Dolores, and placed her on the road to stardom, “Revenge” is all that a modern, feature photoplay should be. From the. striking prologue in technicolour to the final dramatic scene, its sequences are filled with gripping action and spiced with a tempestuous love story. Dolores appears as an untamed girl —herself a mistress of performing bears—who awaits a lover worthy of her vivid personality. At last he comes in the person of a handsome bandit who rouses her fury, causes her to lash him with a stockwhip, then offers her the supreme gipsy insult by cutting off her hair. So the story goes, travelling speedily to a compelling climax that follows sequences of unusual emotional power. The settings and photography are outstanding, while a powerful cast supports the star. Dolores takes risks aplenty in her scenes with the bears, and it is typical of the actress that no “double” is in evidence.

The Majestic Orchestra claims its share of mention, for an enjoyable musical programme was provided.