STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 17

STRAND

“THE RED DANCE” ON FRIDAY 1 An excellent cast supports Ronald j Colman in “Bulldog Drummond,” based on Sapper’s story, which is now drawing to the close of its season at the Strand Theatre. Joan Bennett, appearing for the first time on the screen, is shortly going to be a prime candidate for the title of the loveliest blonde in pictures, from the evidence of her work as Phyllis, Bulldog Drummond’s lady love. The horrifying effects of such faces as Montague Love’s and Lawrence Grant’s under the superb lighting of the picture, coupled with excellent performances by both men, make the criminal gang something to have nightmares about. Lilyan Tashman, as the slinky adventuress, gives one of her superbly fine pieces of work, and Claude Allister and Wilson Benge ably support Colman in the comedy relief. The plot of “Bulldog Drummond” fairly gallops along. From the moment Drummond decides to answer Phyllis’s mysterious letter until the final close-up in the Mystery House, the action steps on its own heels in a rush which nevertheless leaves the development much clearer than is usual in mystery thrillers. Richard Jones, the director, has knit the whole into as breathless a picture as ever flashed across the screen. A number of amusing and entertaining short talkie items are also presented. On Friday next the Strand will present “The Red Dance,” a powerful story of Russian life, starring Dolores Del Rio and Charles Farrell. Fine story, great cast, artistic direction and splendid entertainment just about describes “The Red Dance.” This latest Fox picture is a story of the Russia during the revolution, with Dolores Del Rio and Charles Farrell in the stellar roles. The beautiful Mexican gives probably her greatest performance since her role of Charmaine in “What Price Glory,” as the peasant girl who becomes the famous Red Dancer of Moscow and a leader of the Revolution. Charles Farrell is equally effective as Prince Eugen, whose sympathies are with the people, but who, in the turmoil of rebellion, is setnenced to die before a firing squad. These two young players furnish the romance of the story, as well as some of the thrills. But probably one of the most startling discoveries made in pictures in some time is Ivan Linow, who portrays the role of the huge, ignorant peasant. With the signing of Carmel Myers for the part of Viola Thorpe in “The Ship From Shanghai,” the cast for this picture is now complete. It includes Kay Johnson. Conrad Nagel, Louis Wolheim, Holmes Herbert and I Zeffie Tilbury.