STARLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11764, 31 July 1916, Page 5

STARLAND.

" Undine," the ivell-known fairy story written by Baron de la I'oque, is the principal picture in the new programme shown at Starland to-day 'Tho iiim is one of the most . spectacular photo-plays yet screend in Christcimrch and it cannot fail to attract considerable attentiou The picture work is exceedingly beautiful and the story itself is very finely illustrated. 'Trie Bluebird Company, which was respontjibb for tho production, has certainly achieved a marked success. It is not easy to condense so elaborate a story as that of " Undine," but in tho kinematograph representation* the. legend loses none of its charm, and essential detail is all admirably describee]. The scenaris differs somewhat from the story, but that has been done obviously as a means of making a greater picture, and certainly the innovations are justified from the fine results achieved. The island of Santa Cruz, California, was chosen as the locale of the play production, and tho beautiful stage settings to be found there are shown in all their charm and natuvnlness, notably the forests and glorious seascapes. Lovely young women clad in wisps of seaweed "disport themselves in the crystal waters, and there are splendid exhibitions of fancy swimming and diving. A feature is a remarkable plunge made by .Mis? SehnalJ, who is cast as Undine. Beautiful spectacular effects are accomplished by the dancing of nymphs in grottos and fantastic arches formed by the jockv of the rngge'd coasts. It is altogether a superb picture. Other programme numbers are the latest '"Eclair Journal" and a comedy, "Saving Susia from the Sea."