DE LUXE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 123, 20 November 1926, Page 13

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Russian stories are apt to pall at times, but the latest tale of pre-war Russia, "The Midnight Sun," screened last evening fit the De Luxe Theatre for the first time, is something entirely different from what has become • the accepted style for Russian tales. Setting, plot, cast, and music all combine to make "The Midnight Sun a picture to be remembered. The central theme, of course, ia love, but it is more a fkht between youth and age for the possession of a beautiful dancer—and youth wins. The action takes place prior to the Great War, when Russia was subject to all the splendour and menace of the regime of the Romanoffs, and when money and ■ position meant a great deal more than they do to-day in that country. A young dancer rises from the yanks of the ballet to that of premiere danßouse of the famous Imperial Russian Ballet, using as a meant! towards this end the desire of a Grand •■Huke and a millionaire banker. The girl '• cleverly plays one against'the other, arid ■while doing so is safe. But there comes a time when both men wish to possess the beauty, and it is then that she is most in danger, but is saved by the love of a young soldier, who rises to great heights in his desire to help her. The picture'is staged lavishly, and the Ballet of Jewels is one of the most beautiful screen pictures over arranged, and shows one of the dances for which the Opera House at Petrograd was justifiably famous. Soms sea scenes in which a warship pursues the banker s yacht are also well worth seeing, and altogether the tale is so delightfully told that it is really a pity to miss seeing it. Laura la Plante as the dancer, great comedienne as she is, reveals that she can rise to even greater heights in the more dramatic side of her art. She is well supported by Pat O'Malley who realy looks and acts like a Grand Duke, while George Siegmann acts well as the banker. A new star has arisen in the screen world in Raymond Keans, and he takes the part of the young officer, who is prepared' to sacrifice his career, and his life if need be, in order to save the dancer from the clutches of those who desire to wrong her, acting the part to perfection. The programme includes a short comedy. "Kid Days," and an International News, while the music played by the Orchestra De Luxe, under the leadership of Misa A. Bryers, includes several delightful selections.