“SUNRISE” WILL BE SCREENED NEXT YEAR AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 17 (Supplement)

“SUNRISE” WILL BE SCREENED NEXT YEAR AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

Drama, spectacle and unequalled camera effects are the outstanding features promised in “Sunrise,” the Fox special dealing with the contrast between fast city life and rural virtue, which will come to the Crystal Palace Theatre on Monday, January 7. F. W. Murnau. who was brought from Europe by William Fox in order to direct this picture, selected an original theme by Herman Sudermann on which to build the plot, but the director’s establishments in the way of scenery, action and photography bring him as much credit for the production as is due to the noted author. When Mr Murnau started work on “Sunrise” in the Fox studios, it was with the understanding that his word was to be final with regard to all items of production, from the selection of the cast to the final editing of the film. The results which he obtained, and which have been widely applauded in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Detroit, where the picture was shown, show that the confidence which was placed in Mr Murnau was fully justified. The leading roles are played by Janet Gavnor, the star of “Seventh Heaven" and George O’Brien, long a favourite in Fox pictures. The audience will find the picture possessed of that indefinable something which marks all plays or films that are considered great. No producer can be sure that his play will have this quality until it is screened. No director can promise it even though the script may be alluring. A Janet Gaynor competition will be held during the screening of “Sunrise,” and the successful competitor will receive a cheque for £5.