Amusements

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 2

Amusements

“LOVES OF CARMEN’’ The girl with the heart of a wanton, the mind of a child, and the soul of a woman, “Carmen,” at last will be depicted by one who understands the emotions of the famous character born from ibe piolific pen of Prosper Merrimee. Pioosbly for the the first time the ebr: ted story of the little gypsy girl with the iteming eyes and fiery will b* portrayed by a ieJ Suamsh tc.avty, <_ne who doesn’t need a vivid imagination to conceive of the proverbial passions of Old Seville, for through her veins courses the blood of “Carmen.” She is Dolores Del Rio, reaied in romantic Mexico by parents of Spanish nobility, who will be seen in the title role of the William Fox screen version, titled “Loves of Carmen. ’ ’ Like Carmen, Miss Del Rio has found herself precipitated from her own circle of friends in the Mexican captai to the heights of international ado .at ion as a result of her unique beaut\ and heretofore unrevealed emotional powers. First we saw this raven haired, olive skinned, sinous-limbcd bit of feminine loveliness as the adorable Charmainc, the most important attraction of Papa Cognac Pete’s inn behind the battlefront of France, in “What Price Glory,’’ and in flash, the world acclaimed her as a new star in the film firmament. She possesses the vivacity, the warmth of feeling, the sexual attraction, the beauty of face, the attractiveness of figure, the racial characteristics, and, above all, the exotic temperament necessary to fit her for the part. The stage has had “Carmens” of the opera in. the persons of Geraldine Ferrar, Raquel Meilcr, Mary Garden, Emma Calivi, and others of more or less renown, and Theda Bara at the height of her vamping fame, portrayed the wild rose of Spain on the screen, but none equalled the physical “Carmen.” as she will be seen iu the form of Dolores Del Rio. Again, as in tz*e other Eox picture, 4 ‘ What Price Glory,” Dolores is the foil to the amorous wooing of Victor McLaglen, the British soldier of fortune, the bronze giant with the infectious smile, the devil-may-care spirit and the ever youthful recklessness which 1 won a place in the hearts of picture lovers everywhere. “Loves of Carmen” will open at the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday next.

“WINIFRED OF WANGANUI” The greatest topic of interest in the city this ween, has been ‘ ‘ what will * Winifred oi Wanganui’ be likef” We wonder-. Amd, come to think of it, why shouldn't it be on a par with at least some of the imported. film? Air Rudali Hayward, New Zealand s piuuuei film producer, has had a very considerable experience in making pictures and has a most thorough up-to-date plant for “shooting” ami developing and printing and his past productions have all been ot a very high standard, A private screening of “ Wiuifred of Wanganui” was given yesterday at which the writer was privileged to -be present. This film is really a surprise from every angle. The photography, the settings and the acting of the purely local cast was all that could be (iesired. Miss Rae Bond., as the heroine gives a performance that 'will surprise everyone and one would imagine, whilst looking at the film, that she had been a movie star with a great deal of experience. Jack Buras as the villianous reporter, is admirable. Jack McDonald plays the part of the hero and, besides being an accomplished actor, he demonstrates clearly that he is a horse-man of no mean ability. His rescue of the heroine from a speeding motor car is on a par with the stunts given by any American film star. The story is a delightful one and the titles, most witty. This film was taken around Wanganui and there are many “mob” scenes in which local celebrites are easily distinguished. All in al!, “Winifred of Wanganui’’ is a triumph of local enterprise and skill and should be seen by all lovers of this fair city. Rin Tin Tin, the canine marvel in “A Dog of tho Regiment,” will be the supporting picture, and is the first of all tho star’s thrillers in which he flies. He not only rescues his pal, an American Ace, from a burning plane, but escapes with him in one, and being ond-ered shot, again whirls to the sky and safety. Most exciting of all Rin-Tin-Tin’s films, and that’s saying a lot. THE RECENT COMPETITIONS Pupils of Mr and Mrs J. W. Bailey were again very successful in the local Competitions gaining the following places: Ladies’ Shakespeare, first and second; boys und.er 16, first; character sketch under 16, not humorous, first and third; story without words, first and second; ladies’ test, first; humorous monologue, first; adult character recital, second and third; girls under 13, first and third; girls under 16, second; musical monologue, second; humorous recitation under 16, third; humorous character under 16, first and second; girls’ championship medal.

THE NEW GRAND “ Surrender I ’’ Universal’s latest big production which commenced a season at the New Grand Theatre be fore a packed house, and to be screened again to-day and to night, is a spectacular and dramatic story of the opening days of the world war in a small Galician town near the Russian border. Excellent acting, a gripping story and settings that are exceptionally true to life make this picture stand out as probably the greatPhilbin, noted for being one of the Mary Philbin heads the cast with Ivan Mosjukine co-starring. Miss Philbin, noted ofr being one of the screen’s finest actresses, surpasses herself in the emotional intensity of her role as Lea, the Rabbi’s daughter. Ivan Mosjukine makes his first bow to local audiences in an American made production. Mosjukine is a superlative actor and being Russian by birth, makes an excellent Russian prince. He is even better than he was in ”Michael Strogoff.” Supporting this picture is the scream of the season, “Ladies’ Night in a Turkish Bath,” featuring Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Maekaill. Mulhall and Jimmy Finlayson suddenly find themselves in a Turkish bath on a “ladies’ night” as they are trying to escape from pursuing policemen, the audience goes into a roar of laughter that compels most of them to hold their sides. The plan for to-night is now open at theatre office.