AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1924, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

WEDNEDSAY AND THURSDAY ATTRACTIONS.

On Wednesday William Fox presents Buck Jones in a .drama of flaming hearts in the frozen North, a story of a glorious fight lor life in the Youkon Goldfields, and supporting this big special is a hilarious two-reel Sunshine comedy entitled “Cupid’s Elephant,” a Fox World’s News and an interesting film of “Vancouver Island” (scenic). On Thursday the picture that has caused a sensation all over the world

“Tiie Life Story of John Lee,” or “The Man They Could Not Hang” will be shown in Hokitika for one night onfy. The wildest imagination of fiction writers has never surpassed the wonderfully true story of the actual escape of death from the gallows. The story opens in a cheerful way, and has not the slightest suggestion of gloomy horrors. The picture is replete with pathetic incidents, relieved hero and there with a touch of humour, the humorous portion being chiefly in Lee’s boyhood days, while among the pathetic parts are those which show the unswerving loyalty of his sweetheart and the faith of his aged mother in her belief in the innocence of her son—a- belief which she lived to see realised. As a story of the grievous wrong done to an innocent man, the picture provides food for serious thought. As a dramatic production it is excellently acted, and from a photographic point of view it is first class. John Lee, at the age of 2J, whilst in the employ of Mi'ss Emma Kcyse, at one time a Maid-of-Ilonour to the late Queen Victoria, was accused anti found guilty on circumstantial evidence of murdering his mistress, lie was sentenced to death in 1881. Three times they tried to hang him, and three times they failed. His sentence was then commuted to penal servitude for life. On the expiration of 28 years of prison life, ho was released. John Lee is still alive to-day. Arthur W. -Starry, the eminent actor-orator, who has been specially brought.to New Zealand, will deliver a dramatically thrilling and inner knowledge talk, synchronising with every detail of the picture. Dress circle 2s 2d. stalls Is Sd, children under 12