STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 849, 18 December 1929, Page 19

STRAND

“BLACKMAIL” ON FRIDAY Teamed for the first time in their career Dolores del Rio and Charles FarreH give a remarkable performance in the stellar roles of “The Red Dance,” Fox feature, which will b* shown at the Strand Theatre for only two more nights. y Separately and together these two young people held the audiences spellbound by their fine characterisations. She as the peasant girl who becomes the famous “Red Dancer of the Revolution,” he as the Grand Duke Eugen whom she tries to save from the vengeance of the people. Another great performance is that of Ivan Linow, the Russian who, as a private: soldier, woos Del Rio, but who, when he becomes a “Red” general, saves her lover from the firing squad. Several interesting short talkie items are also shown on the same programme. All enthusiasts of the British screen will experience a throb of pride when they see Alfred Hitchcock’s. “Blackmail,” to be shown at the Strand on Friday It definitely places itself triumphantly at the head of any talking picture yet made. If this standard is maintained no country in the world will be Britain’s rival in the making of talking pictures. London is shown in its most glowing colours. The music, the dialogue are part and parcel of the picture and not an accompaniment. Sound, vision and dialogue are so equally and happily blended that neither one nor the other detracts from the atmosphere. “Blackmail” is the story of a little London girl, who after a slight quarrel with her detective sweetheart, foolishly, out of pique, plays with fire and finds herself in a Chelsea artist’s studio. To defend her honour and in a state of fright and frenzy she kills th€> artist. Her glove, found in the studio by her lover, who is put on the case, falls into the hands of a cunning and subtle blackmailer. Anny Ondra, the loveliest and most exquisite blonde on the British screen, is the girl. She acts with her usual care-free lightheartedness and grace, the part of the bewitching, happy-go-lucky little flirt, who suddenly finds herself in a pitiless trap. John Longden as the detective lover, proves that he iis not only an excellent actor, but possesses a fine speaking voice. As the blackmailer, Donald Calthrop gives a thrilling and sinister performance, ■which places him in a premier position among the screen actors of the world. His smug smile, his cultured accent —all go to make an amazing study of the shady side of life.