Me LEAN'S PICTURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1924, Page 1

Me LEAN'S PICTURES.

VIOLA DANA. TO-XKHIT

To-uigh t (Saturday) Alcl.-enii’s present "Dangerous to Men.” in which Viola Dana, as a romping ioinbiy school girl transformed through love to a. young woinan of charm, who is able to play a vampire when i.eensio'i arises, scores a bio triumph. The plav tells tie- story of an orphan oil I who is left as ward to a young bachelor. Her father, a scientist, was killed in Afghanistan. and the girl is brought up in a seminary, where she rigidly adheres to a spinster's advice to dress so as to lie saf'‘ from men. She is so successful in this that the bachelor takes charge of her only from a sense of duty, hut he awakens in the girl a deep sense of (leovtion which develops into love. The bachelor is enpag-d to an ambitions actress whose intci-s| in him wanes as sin- sees a possibility of an-m-xing I'' lierelf Ids wealthy uncle, 'file girl Kliza. fearing his life's lr:ppiness will be wrecked, takes it upon herself to attract the uncle from the actress, la her new surroundings and ip her new clothes she has grown into a young woman of charm. In order to attract the lllicle, she plays the role of a vampire and Iter “vamping" is so successful that it leads nearly to disastrous eoiise(|iiciices. There is a bin dramatic scene at a ma-rpierade ball, and through a series of skillful complications Kliza finally wins tlm love of her guardian. XF.I.LIK I’i’-V.M I.KV SKASHX. “KAII! AX I) WAK.UKR." ' hair and Warmer." to be prodiici il by the "Xellie Itramley Dramatic Compuny at the Priirt-ess 'lheatre mi Kepleiiiber Plh ('fticsdayt is described as one of the liinniest plays iniugjuable. It has never before been presented to a Hokitika audience, and keen interest is being manifested by the public. Absence has not lessened the popularity of Miss Xellie Itramley, as judged by the reception accorded her in Auckland. Wellinctoii, < bristi Inndi and Hokitika, i expected to InllnV suit in I hat icspeci, lor w hero ever she pees this brilliant young star captivates all, both oil and off the sta.ee, with delightful personality and charm of manlier. Miss Itramley and her able little company will lie presented by Mr William liassell (by arrangement with .1. C. W illiamson Lid). Reviewing the play the

••Star” says:—“.Miss ISrainley, as lilauny Wheeler, has a role far difierent from those in which an Aiiekland seen this particularly line emotional actress, hut she showed that she was as good in comedy as in drama and was generally dclightlul, especially when she displays her pretty rages. In the champagne-drinking scene with “Mr ISnrlleil” there arises a truly ‘stunning situation.' and she gets every ounce of comedy out ol the bedroom scene, at no time overacting.

•KMC ()’ MY 11 KART.” “Keg O' My Heart,” the second produel ion ol the Xellie llrandcy Com. patty, is a dainty love story interwoven with the doings of an Irish girl in an Knglish home, and leading up to a more involved issue when she ItilsIrales Imr cousin Klhel's elopement with tt married man. As Peg. Mi>s Hramley has won mil husiasl ic prime wherever she lias played it, giving a charming impersonation ol the brute young Irish girl v. ho wauled to carry nut "me" father’s wishes at a sameliee of her own. "There's a little dml inside me, and every now and then no pops out." So Keg attributes Imr escapades, when called to task by imt arrogant a mil,* Mrs Chichester. And the audimme laugh heartily at the ( hielmstcrs’ discomfiture, and then flirtivelv wipe away a tear as Keg tugs at hidden heart string, "leg O' Mv Heart" is one of the most sne,.,,ssf,il comedies ever written and its pop.daritv never wanes. It should •.ertainly have a highly satisfying presentation at the hands of Miss Mram'ev ami her versatile company when it, goes: up on Wednesday (Keptember Up.