STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 17

STRAND

“THE RED DANCE” In the film, “The Red Dance,” coming to the Strand Theatre this evening, Tasia, a peasant girl (Dolores del Rio) catches the fancy of Ivan Petroff, a good natured giant spoiling for new conquests. He bargains for the girl with her relatives and promises to pay for her with a horse which he sets out to steal. But Tasia has no thoughts of marriage with the uncouth Ivan. She is aflame with thoughts of vengeance for the death of her mother at the hands of Cossacks and the imprisonment of her father, who is punished for attempting to enlighten his neighbours. On the Russian front during the World War Grand Duke Eugene (Charles Farrell) goes to Moscow to learn whose influence is bringing about the rout of the Russian troops. While passing through Tasia’s village he rescues her from the abuse of her relatives who whip her for spending time with her father’s old books. Eugene arrives at the palace in Moscow during a fete. There the Tsarina presents him to the Princess Varvara (Dorothy Revier), who is impressed with the young officer. Eugene is directed by a secret friend at court toward the Tsarina’s quarters where he comes upon the Tsarina, the Black Monk and Colonel Tanaroff with their heads together and thus learns of the powerful influences that are bringing about the debacle of Russia. The monk and Taranoff have seen Eugene and get the Tsar to order him to Orenberg where the peasants threaten revolt. Ivan Petroff, preparing for his marriage with Tasia, succeeds in getting royally drunk. Having seen Eugene, Tasia is more certain than before that she will not marry the giant peasant. ; She escapes through the woods, where she is overtaken by a rainstorm and is saved from a pack of hunting dogs by Eugene, who is at his hunting lodge nearby. He gives her shelter and Tasia is impressed by the tremendous contrast between their stations in life. She voices her rebellion, but Eugene, by his kindness, wins her at least to a personal sympathy. The next morning Tasia makes her way back to her peasant’s hut and encounters Ivan, who has again forgotten his wedding plans in his devotion to the bottle. He accompanies her home where they find the body of her father, shipped from prison. Tanaroff and Ivan point out that her father’s death is the direct result of the oppression of the upper classes, against whom she swears revenge. Then comes the turmoil of the Revolution, bringing with it new adventures and experiences. This film, which is synchronised with a beautiful musical score by the Roxy Theatre Orchestra, New York, will be accompanied by an excellent support- ; ing programme of talkie item*.