PALACE THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10738, 8 November 1928, Page 6

PALACE THEATRE.

“ANNA KARENINA.”

Russia, the magnificent—gayest court- in the world, with the ' most heautiful women, the most handsome i officers—all the 'glory of the land pf 1 the Czars before the ; revolution; this' fis the background for the poignant 1 romance of Count Vronsky and Anna ;Karenina, as enacted on the screen' by John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in' “Anna Karenina,” screening at the matinee and to-night at the Palace. It is a dazzling spectacle—gorgeous 1 uniforms, glittering costumes, groat palaces and tlie revelry of the Russian aristocracy at its height, as a glorious setting for the central love theme—the world-famous romance of. Count Tolstoi, known to the world over as “Anna Karenina.' 1 11l its film version it is.a gbrgequs piece of entertainment tjhat lias with utter fidelity kept the spirit- of the novel. . Gilbert, as the dashing Count Vronsky, is a figuro>no less roman/ tic -than his rolejrfff, "The. Merry Wi-* dow,” but far greater depth of- character that calls forth tfie 111•mostjffdus' Kistrippife Iskill../ Miss Garoby as the tragic. Anna, sacrificing for love, and dogged by relentless fate, has- a wonderful , role. Hot scenes .with tlie’ child, for ; instance, fairly grip the heart, while-her per-sonality-tinges the entire spectacle. Edmund Goulding * directed the pejv play witjr rare.skill, and a .notable cast supports the; tvyd, principals. George Fawcett, as. the 1 stern ■ old Grand Duke, has a vigorous,portrayal, its forcible' as his epncting of the pastor in "Flesh and the, Devil.;'’ wliiie Brandon Hurst, is compellingly realistic as the sometimes * ; sinister husband of the heroine. : Emily F%roy;: Philippe D.e L’acy, and dthers bf note, are. in the* c^stj./-.-Thfi settings are feproductions 1 pf-Russian palaces before the war:, * * . . v