McLEAN'S PICTUHES.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1924, Page 3

McLEAN'S PICTUHES.

•I. \ DPI r " \ AVON DEI! tCL PICT ERE. On Friday night McLean's Pictures will present the most human pietme play ever diown since "Over the Hill. "Laddie.’' features Mi-s Sydney F.'iirbnilher. A little old lady in an old-world co It age lives only in her loving thoughts of her boy, "Laddie. II i- fifteen years since she sent him ~|i' 1,, London In study medicine, and in that period be bus climbed to the top of bis profession. He occupies a great house with many servants, and is busy with a large practice—tun busy, in fact, to think olteu of bis little old loot her in the country. Not only too busy to think of her, but in a way too worldly also, for lie lots gained social position and he IVcls that any emphasis upen bis bumble origin would hurt Lis si a u 1111 u in the groat world, and yet he loves his mother, and be is not a end He is though! less and self-ab-sorbed, that is all. Mrs Carter has lived in the same collage since she to it as a bride. “Laddie" was burn there; her husband died there; 1,11! how one day the landlord, calling fur i In- weeklv rent, tells her that he must take the cottage for lnmself. Tbs übl lady is heartbroken, but, a* she savs to Hetty Joyce, who is living with. ITcr, "It isn’t as though she findn't a son to look alter her. licit v's husband. Harry, bad written tu | left v to come to him in London. Mis Carter decides <>n the spur ol tho

moment: to go up by the same train with Hetty and take "Laddie” by surprise. Dr Carter lias been giving a dinner in honour of A inlet. The fashionable guests have gone, and the bust alone in bis study, is reviewing tin l pleasant memories uf tbe evening. The butler tells him that an old lad? lias called who insists upon seeing him. Carter assents and relapses into bis reverie, and presently a plain little body is standing beside his desk and saving tremulously '’Laddie.”

Only alter bis first happy emotions at seeing lmr dues Carter begin to rwdise how "unsuitable" her presence is in Ins great bouse. To bis momentary discredit, lie is ashamed, and worse than that, in bis awkward explanation of bis desire to find another country home for her. be unwittingly lets her sec bow lie feels. She bide- her hurt from him. and smiles at him bravely and lovingly ahe escorts her to her room : but toherself she says, "I'll never he a shame to mv "Laddie.” and in the morning she quietly leaves the house, before even the servants are up. A two roc*l o omedy. travelogue and gazette will complete a splendid programme. McLean's renowned orchestra will render appropriate selections. I'snal prices. SATURDAY. A 7-aet -tar entitled ‘‘Just Call Me ■Tim.” will be shown. Pottplar AViTI Rogers is -tarred, supported by an all-star cast.