AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1922, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

PQLLARfcMS PICTURES.

MARY PIOKFORD MONDAY

111 all the time that Mary Piekford lias illuminated the screen with her delightful presence, she has never inade a picture that equals her latest, “Heart o’ the Hills,” showing at the Princess Theatre on Monday. As the mountain girl in this typical story of the Kentucky hills, of mountain feuds arid of rugged mountain men, she excels herself. From the age of 14 ,when she promises her father, (lying from a feudish bullet, that she will “get” his slayer; latei] when she is cheated out of the heritage by land-grabbers, whom she kept at bay'with gun and fists; when she heads the night riders on an errand of retribution; in the dock charged with murder—so absurd a charge that every man-jack of the jury claims that he fired the fatal bullet—during all these phases we have the new, the different" Mary Piekford. Full of nerve nndj charm, in her character of the little spitfire, she is no less delightful [.than in the later episodes of the picture where she becomes civilised through the medium of a high-class ladies’ college. It is the old Mary Piekford in a new ; light—that is all—and sufficient. She has but increased her power to charm. A Rathe Gazette and Pathe Review supports this big seven-reel attraction on Monday. Pollards Symphony ()r----j ohestra will render a selected 5 proI gramme.

WILLIAMS’ HIPPODROME. j * '■ :■ - | Williams’s Monster Hippodrome 5 opened on Cass Square last evening to • a crowded tent, after a rush to get into position owing to the late arrival by train from the north. The entertainment proved to be one of the most enjoyable shows that has ever npp?arcd in •'this fow.n, and tli,e audience were pleased by the wonderfully high standard of skill arc) artistry displayed. Silboni', a wonderful aerial artist, performed feats upon the trapeze and rings that bold the audience breathless with suspense, only to break into tumultuous appji.use at the i eouHnsinn of c-.vh feat. Entertaining I song and dance items were contributed bv .Misses Joan and Nora Smith, these young ladies quite justifying the management’s claim that they arc the cleverest child performers in New Zealand. The magician of the company, Clins. Coates, gave an exhibition of magical skill, and his concluding feature, the guillotine mystery, was ahj solutely spell-finding. Iteg Williams, i described as the dare-devil on the trapeze, justified his title by successfully performing the thrilling and dangerous death slide, as well ns giving a clean and skilful exhibition of trapeze gymnastics. The comedy acrobat of the show Jacques de Reno, kept his audience in a scream of mirth from start to finish. Jim Sinclair, ventriloquist, contributed an entertaining ventriloquinl turn assisted by Jerry, Fit/, and Starts, a pair of eccentric jugglers, provided much mirth in their comedy farce “Fun in a Hash House,” as well ns exhibiting much dexterity ns jugglers. Altogether the Hippodrome is about the finest entertainment of its kind that has ever been seen here. A splendid clean, healthy tone runs right through the whole performance, and the hearty ovation extended to the proprietor was an expression of the audience’s appreciation of the company’s success in providing an exceptional show of outstanding merit.

THTS AFTERNOON AND NTOTIT. The Company appear this afternoon ami to-night, which will be the concluding performance of the season, when a e ! nnge of programme will be given. A special fentute frill be the ami. aranee of Miss Alice Chapman, the s l v sohnsl of the Company (who unfortunately wap indisposed last evening!, hut who will positively appear this afternoon and evening.