AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1925, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

McLEAN’S PICTURES.

FRIDAY—“ROU LETTE.”

Oil Friday “Roulette” will make its debut at the Princess Theatre. 'I his thrilling drama was adapted to the screen by S. E. A r . Taylor, from William AleHarg’s popular Hearst’s International Magazine story, and coupled with tin's widely-read story is a most excellent cast, which includes the names of many popular artists. Dan Carrington was a man whose modest means could not keep pace with his abnormal love of cards. The day finally came when he lost all that he had saved for the education of his motherless little daughter, Loris, in a card game, with a shrewd unscrupulous gambler, John Tralee and Tralee’s half-way decent partner Ben Corcoran. It was not until the gamblers had left that Carrington discovered a fifth ace, and the realisation came that lie had been cheated. Putting a revolver in his pocket Carrington started after the gambler to avenge himself, but his heart succumbed to the excitement and Carrington died, Little Loris crying in his arms. Concoran discovered what had happened and showed Tralee wha! lie had done. Tralee, conscieuce-stric-ken. adopted Loris and promised to provide for her well. The day came when Loris met Peter Afarineaux, scion of a wealthy and socially prominent old New York family. Peter disliked gambling, and he told Loris so, hut to see her ho had to visit Tralee’s, and to visit Tralee’s he had to play—and many wore the Afarineaux thousands lost at the house. Weeks passed. One night Peter and Tralee played a few cold poker hands. Tralee’s luck was uncanny; Peter lost forty thousand dollars, and for the first time grew suspicious. He paid Tralee, hut, despite the gambler’s vigorous protests insisted on keeping the pack of cards they played with as a “souvenir.” Alone with Tralee, Loris accused the gambler of having cheated Peter. Tralee answered that, whatever the means, he had won, and that if anyone was ever shrewd enough to heat him he would not complain. Loris wrestled with her guardian for Marineaux’ cheque, and lit this moment in walked Peter. He quite naturally placed the wrong construction on the scone, decided that Loris had been part of the crooked game, and demanded redress from. her. Loris answered that she would pay him hack gladly if she had the money, hut that she had nothing—nothing in the world hut herself. Reginald Denny will he seen in a feature entitled “The Beggar Ala id. ” A comedy, gazette and serial “Lightning Bryce” will conclude a fine programme.

Saturday—Ora Carew in “Love’s Protege.”

MASTER PICTURES. “CHILDREN OF JAZZ”—FRIDAY. Eileen Percy, well-known screen player, appears in a featured role in “Children of Jazz”, the Paramount picture- directed by Jerome Storm to he screened at the Opera House on Friday. “Children of Jazz” is an excellent production, in which Theodore Kosloff, Ricardo Cortez, Robert Cain, Snitz Edwards, Frank Currier, Irene Dalton, and Alex Francis, are featured with Aliss Percy. Beulah, Marie Dix adapted the screen story from the play ‘ Other Times” by Harold Brighouse, a well-known British play weight. Everybody’s talking these days about the difference between the young people of ye.steiclay and of to-day. This novel melodrama reveals our modern pels at their jazziest and dips into the picturesque past to show the contrast. If the folks of yesterday met the people C’l (e-day wjiat would happen ! What would our reckless, jazz-mad pets think of their sedate sisters of long ago? 'and vice versa? Some poeple take all t joy they inn out of life, hut never think of putting any into it. You’ve never seen a picture just like this one. It’s an absolute novelty, mixing 185. charm and 1925 jazz iu a way tin; proves the old argument “Are morals an I manners belter or worse to-day than they were in 1850”? For striking originality of theme, for luxurious settings, for striking effect and startling scenes for brilliancy of cast, “Children of Jazz.” tops ’em all. The supporting programme includes a gazette, comedy, scenic and Bonetti's Orchestra. Saturday—Aluy ALcAvoy in “Through A Glass AYimlow”.