AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 182, 4 August 1939, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE GREAT WALTZ." EMBASSY. H^^.:::::.^T;!rtv^ Director: Julien Duvivler .. (M.U.JI ) Johann Strauss, the Viennese bank clerk, who rose to become the waltz king ot the world, died when New Zealand was a raw young country, but even here, so tar trom his haunts, the echo of his melod.es lingers on. The mystic lilt of his waltzes, magic in their qualities, bring a taste ot old-world splendour; this has been captured and woven around the romantic story ot the master musician's life in "The Great Waltz," which last night. Wore « packed house, opened it* Auckland season at the Embassy Theatre. Boustnig a cast including some of the screen s most illustrious names "The Great Waltz" is a pkturc of the type winch conies only once in a long, long time. Not only the physical Vienna of the period when Strauss was a social lion has been captured; its spirit has been sensed and infused in the story. And the life of the musician who was the voice of the gayest city in the world makes an entrancing story.

From the time he was dismissed from lwe clerkship in the bank for paying more attention to musical notes than bank notes, the story follows the romantic career of Strauss, follows liim throiifih tribulation and triumph, leaves him resting in the smile of royal favour in the Emperor's court. His marriage to the sweetheart of bis youth and his subsequent infatuation for a brilliant opera star who sends him back to his faithful wife form the plot. Against his faw-inatiiijj storv has been set the backsrrouiitl of glamorous ballets, spectacle ami glorious singiic Auckland audiences will 'flight in the voice of the meat coin, atura. Mili/.a Korjus, who was brought specially from Europe to play a leading role. It is rears since the screen has bad the opport'unitv to present such a -rent voice. But Miss Korjus has more than a voice; she is beautiful and has a flair for comedv. She should iro far in films. The composer himself is played by another Continental star. Fernand Gravet. remembered as the king in "The King and the ('horns Girl'' The portrayal of the faithful wife falls to that great Academy Award winner. Luise Rainer. But those names alone a*> - c not the story of the east. There are also Hiedi Herbert and Lionel At will, and another tine singer in Ceorge Houston.

Musically the film is outstanding. Svmphony orchestras of many pieces have been recorded with technical skill that bi-injjs out the full beauty of the melodies. Auckland will lonjjr remember the sinsiiiij in some of the choruses -particularly in a «reat scene featuring "Tales of the' Vienna Woods."

The attractive supporting programme includes an "Our Oanjt" comedy, a Pete Smith special and a bctter-than-usim 1 travelogue of Australia. CITY SHOWS. Picture programmes arc showing nt city theatres this evening as follow*:Rejient: Dick Koran and Gloria Dickson In "Heart of the North." Civic: Merle Oheron and Laurence Olivier in "Wuthcrinji Heights." St. James': Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone in "Out West with the Hardys." Majestic: Lew Avres and Louis Wolheim in "All Queit on' the Western Front." Embassy: Fernand Gravet. Mili/.a Korjus and Luise Rainer in "The Great Waltz.'' Plaza: Brian Aherne and Victor McLaren in "Captain Fury. - ' Strand: Madeleine Carroll

and Fred MaeMuriay in "Cafe Society." and Lloyd Xolan in "Undercover Doctor."' Mayfair: Gordon Harker and Alastair Sim in "Inspector Hornleigh." and Jed Prouty in "The Jones Family in Hollywood." Roxy-Tivoli: Charles Bickford in

■•Romance of the Redwood*/* and Lee Tracy in "Fixer Dugan." Prince Edward. Newton: Low Ayres and Lynn Carver in '"i oimg Dr. Kildare." and Patric Knowles in "Storm Over Bengal." State. Svmonds Street: Judy Cat land and Freddie Bartholomew in "Listen Darling." and .Toe K. Brown in "Flirting with Fate." Star. Karangahape Road: The Dead Knd Kids in "Little Tough Guys in Society."' and Otto Kruper and Glenda Farrell in "Lxposed."

HIS MAJESTY'S. The popular Young Australians will }>vi»K their comedy revue at His Majesty's i heatro to a close to-morrow evening with a gain farewell performance of their bright* programme. The boys have had an exceptionally successful tour of the Dominion, and 'have always maintained a high standard of performance. Their ages, on the average, arc about 16 or 17 years, but thev sing, dance, play and act with the ease and dexterity of veterans. Some of die 'highljerhu* of the programme are provided l>V New Zealand boys. Richard (Juniorl Fan ell has shown unusual talent as a pianist for a boy of 12, and a bright future on the concert stage has been predicted for him. Albert Workman has shown e;ood form with t'he piano-accordion, and the original Australian stars, Colin Croft. George Nieholls. Ron Morris and Charles Stanton, are as entertaining as ever. Details are advertised.