STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 16

STRAND

“LOVES OF CARMEN" TO-MORROW

This evening at the Strand Theatre, “Anna Karenina,” from Tolstoy’s great drama of Russian life, and starring Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, will have its final presentation. To-mor-row “Loves of Carmen” will have its grand gala presentation. All who have seen the opera “Carmen.” or the dramatised versions of it on the stage, will appreciate the suitability of this colourful tragedy for screen purposes. Carmen is really a wanton, and the character can be made anything the delineator chooses. This liberty is eagerly seized upon by the Mexican actress, Dolores Del Rio, who is not bothered witn any conventions in giving vent to her feelings as Carmen. Whether or not she oversteps the bounds is a matter of individual taste and opinion, but certain it is that her performance is as daring as it is clever. The story of Carmen is that of a heartless jade, born to cause mischief wherever she goes. Carmen toys with Don Jose, until she tires of him, and then sets her saucy cap at Escamillo, the great toreador, who at first repulses her, but later takes her to Seville under his care. Thither they are followed by the distraught Don Jose, who cannot submit to being thrown over without a struggle. Carmen treats her old lover with such scorn that the love-crazed boy kills her and himself, even as the bold Escamillo is being applauded to the echo in the adjacent bull-ring. The settings are particularly handsome, and artistically appropriate. The scenes in the Spanish towns, the smugglers’ cave in the mountains, and the bull-ring are most convincing representations of the real thing. Mr. Victor McLaglen makes a striking Escamillo, a strong, coarse brute, who is as putty in the hands of a pretty woman. Don Jose is played with striking conviction by Don Alvarado, and Jack Bastian is Captain Morales.

A beautifully staged atmospheric prologue arranged by and featuring Miss Bettina Edwards will precede the screening of the photoplay. Eve Bentley and her Strand Symphony Orchestra will play a special musical programme throughout. This talented combination will feature as their overture “Carmen,” and included in the incidental music, excerpts from “Carmen,” “Peppa” (Dance Espagnole), Michiels, “Genevieve de Brabant,” Offenbach, “Verbena De La Palmoa,” Breton, “Habenera,” Herbert, “La Morena,” Chaminade, and “Serenata,” D’Autalffy.