Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-16
PALACE--"The Waltz Dream"

The magic touch of Ufa, which
transforms what might have been an
ordinary screen drama into something
that delights by its freshness, is pres.
ent in THE Waltz Dream which
opened yesterday afternoon at Loew's
Palace.
TIA has sent to the United States a
number Of productions, including
those two masterful interpretations by
Emil .Iannings, The Last Laugh"
and Variety" transcendent produc-
tons in direction, Interpretation, set
ting and photography. They set
standard that would seem difficult to
maintain.
THE Waltz Dream" is an excellent
production. but it scarcely reaches the
heights scaled by the two great Ufa
works that have just preceded 1T on
+ street. This should not be construed
as q reflection on the present film. 1t
is, rather, q tribute to the earlier pro-
auctions.
In just what respect "The Waltz
Dream" fails to match the others 1t
IS difficult to say. Perhaps it is in the
story. The film is based upon the ia
nous Oscar Straus operetta, and it
deals with life in much less elemen.
tdl way tildIi Uiti tIc StolN VI a.
riety," for instance. Furthermore.
fine as are the interpretations by the
European stars in the present film.
the performance of Emil JanningS is
not equaled-nor could it reasonably
be expected to he.
The story concerns the adventures
of an Austrian princess. who is
brought TO Vienna. the colorful. gay
capital. by her father. in order that
she may be in "A better position to
capture a duke for a husband. After
scanning the field. one finally is
selected. The duke, however, turns
ont to he a very sly creature, and he
desiSnates his aide. Count Nicholas
Preyn, to show the princess the
sights of the gayest city in the world.
Caught in the spell Of abandon that
hangs over Niennese night life, the
princess Yields To an Irresistible inn
pulse 10 kiss her eScOrt-a kiss of
doom SO far as that gallant is con-
cerned.
rnlikc a great many films, this
really begins with The marriage.
The princess returns to her pro-
vincial home with her new husband
and he quickly tires Of the monoton%.
I'ranzi leader of a ladies' orchestra,
an alllring Niennese. comes along to
ptlpr nm SOIreASe from me DbIeuOIil
Of his new life. and he falls in love
with her.
10 win back his love, the dis
traneht princess apes the NienneSe
customs. manners and VagarieS of
those gay ladies of the capital, using
the vivid FranZl as her model. She
proves an apt pupil. and before
Fran2i, " no has been invited to the
castle realizes the turn in her for
tunes. she has lost her lover back TO
his previously discarded wife. So
much for the story.
Every role is Splenddlv acted and
thcre is constant evidence OF direC
tional Sultlety that makes the film
"dfferent.' The cast is made up of
solutely nothing to the American
thnaterCoer, and il is = tribute TO
t'f& that no one cared, apparently,
tn know the names Of the actors.
The photography is ~ A par with
tnr; of other I'fa films and no one
reeds to he reminded OF the striking
effects achieved in "Nariety."
"MiGhtY Like a Moose" q Charley
Chase comedy with more than the
usual number of laughs: a news reel
and Topics of the Day are the sup
elemental features.
Through the feature film Tom Can
nnr's Orchestra does splendid work
with the score, which Incorporates the
beautiful Stralls music