AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYB PICTURES.

.SMOULDERING FIRES”- TONIGHT.

Then* are two classes of persons who can learn a lesson from “Smouldering Fires,” Uni versa i-Jewel-Cla re nee Brown production which opens to-night in the Princess Theatre. They are the young man who sees visions of luxury anil idleness in becoming the husband of a woman much older than himself, and the middle-aged woman who secs happiness as the wife of a youth hall her age. However, the lesson will he gleaned through the medium of as fine entertainment as ever has been seen, on the screen, for there are many pleasant, diversions from the lesson part of the story, which probably, was not intended to teach any lesson at all. Pauline Frederick and Laura La Plante are co-starred in the picture. The former has the part ol a middleaged woman whose life is devoted to the management of a big factory left to her !>,v her father. .Praise of Miss Frederick’s ability as an actress is not necessary to convince the great theatre going public, either motion picture or speaking stage, of lieu* capabilities. In “Smouldering Fires” she takes full advantage of a line opportunity to show her ability ill character portrayal. At first she in a. man-minded person extraordinarily capable on u business executive but cjuite evidently without knowledge of love, but the time comes when she is leminine, with all the glory of feminine maturity. This is after she falls in love with the youthful empoylec as a result ol very logical circumstances, and much to 'the delight of her younger sister, played by .Miss La Plante with her customary joyousness of living, ffowcvei, the younger sister finally accepts conditions as she finds them—and then proceeds to fall in love with the man her sister is to marry. Malcolm McGregor as the youthful husband is convincing as an actor and good to look upon; also in a light he shows his ability to use his lists. fully Marshall. Wanda Hawley, Helen Lynch and Cooper -have comedy relief parts and take care of them with commendable subtlety, Miss Jlawley is particularly good os a gum-chewing operator who scorns to conceal the charms nature has bestowed upon ber and has movie aspirations. A lot of old-time favourites also add much u> the entertainment. In the end, the marriage of the middle-aged woman and the yout n ends on the rocks of a mutual love between him and the younger sister, and the wife, concealing her agony Irom all other than the faithful Scotty, devises a way to solve the problem so that she alone will sillier. Ihe picture is elaborately staged, and is lu l of the little human touches lor which the pictures directed by Brown* hate become famous. A good supporting aeries will also be shown to-night.^ Coming Wednesday next:—“Troubles of a Bride”

PAT HANNA’S DIGGERS

PR INC ESS Tl I EATRK—FRI DAY

Next Friday at eight o’clock, the curtain will rise at the Princess I hcativ on a line all-round combination. T!;e Diggers were specially brought from Australia to play a season at the Dunedin Exhibition, and ii speaks volumes for their success when they have to go hack in March. I hey attacked. captured ami made willing prisoners of their audiences in Dunedin, and they held them b.v brightening their existence and treating them to a least of sparkling song, dance, melody, mirth, sketch, burlesque and. in fact, everything that goes to make the perfect entertainment, ol which they are past masters. Joe \ alii, G. P. Hanna. Bert Gilbert. Stan Lawson, Brian Lawrence. Jim Fnrnii, Jock Thomson, Chris Kilner. Frank .M'Domdd. Roy liriindeu, Wallace Lloyd. 1,".a Crossly. Jessie Hanna, Vera Carow, Roselle Powell. Thelma Pit tank Wynne Thomson. Kathleen Lawrence. Olive Raker. Gwen Lewi-. Myra Bennett. Vera Rix. with the Diggers’ Superb Ballet and a full concert orchestra, make up the company. Box plans are open at Mefn tosh’s.