AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1925, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

“ DISCONTENTED WIVES ” —TO-NIGHT.

An interesting study in hands will lie presented in “Discontented Wives,” tho Playgoers feature starring J. P. McGo-wan at the Princess Theatre this (Friday) evening by McLean's Pictures. Ruth Galord, as portrayed by Fritrd Brunette, contrasts the soft, well-mani-cured hands of Kirk Harding, whom she might have married, with those of her husband, rough and tod-scarred from working to give her the luxuries that were her right. The comparison was the final straw to her discontent, and she fled from the poverty, the loneliness and desolation of the little shack in the Californian hills to the beautiful home of her parents in New York. “ Discontented Wives ” is not a problem play, hut an interesting drama of a woman who, taken from liei natural environment, found love overbalanced by tho hardships of a primitive life and had to bring suffering to others before she found herself. J. P. McGowan directed “ Discontented Wives” from the original story by Fred Wimlemcre. The east in his support, besides Fritzi Brunette, includes Jean Perry, Andy Waldron, C. S. McGregor and little Jackie Condon. A two-reel comedy entitled “ Take Next Car,” a Pathc Review and Cartoon will complete a huge programme. McLean's, Orchestra will yonder the incidental selections and usual prices will prevail. Saturday—lrene Castles, America’s best dressed woman in “Slim Shoulders,” a magnificent (Fact picture drama.

MASTER PICTURES. “HA LF-A-DOLLAR BILL” TO-NIGHT. “Half a Dollar Bill” is one of the most gripping human documents that the motion picture industry lias presented. It is filled with human interest and appeal with a thrilling story finely acted by an excellent- cast and handled with care hy the director. The lesultant whole is a clean, wholesome, gripping and sensational story that will please tho most blase of fans. “Half a Dollar Bill” is a picture that will make them laugn and cry, that will males them grip the edge of the seat with tho tense exciting moments and that will entertain with the surprising dramatic qualities of the picture. 'I he story is as follows:—Captain McTeagiie (William T. Carleton) of tho -ship Grampus and his cook, Noodles (Raymond Hatton), find an abandoned hov, whom they name Half-a-Dollar Bill because there is a torn dollar bill pinned to his clothing and a note from a broken-hearted mother who kept the other half, hoping some day to regain her son. Half-a-Dollar Bill (Frankie Daren) grows to the age of lour. Returning on the Grampus from a voyage, file Captain gives his first officer, Mart. Webber (George MacQuarrie) a severe beating for his slurs on Bill’s birth. But'Webber has found the torn bill and note the Captain preserved, and he swears revenge on MeTengue. When the Grampus docks, little Bill prevents an unfortunate woman from throwing herself off the wliart, and the Captain and Noodles takes her to their home. The woman (Anna Q. Nilsson) lives there as housekeeper, in spite of gossip. But the captain has grown to love her. Webber, going there one day, is amazed to recognise the woman as his wife whom lie deserted. She confesses she gave up her baby that ho might live, and shows him the birth certificate and torn bill she kept, both of which he wrenches from her. ’Webber has enlisted the aid of I’apc'lc Joe (Mitchell Uovis). who hears a grudge against the Captain, and that night they kidnap Bill. The hoy’s dog leads the Captain to a shack on the waterfront where Bill was taken, and in a terrific fight MeTengue rescues the boy. Tho Grampus sails at daylight-, but Webber. Papeete Joe and a deputy sheriff come in a lnncli with a writ to claim Bill. The woman learns Bill is her son. But they are on the high seas, where the captain is hnv. and in tln> ensuing excitement Webber is killed by a knife flung by Papeete .Toe at the Captain, leaving the woman free and MeTengue in possession of her son.

McLEAN’S PICTURES.