AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PiCTURES.

“ CONTRABAND ’’-TO-NIGHT.

“ Contraband,” the new Paramount picture, winch opens at the Princess theatre to-niglit, is as exciting and thrilling as its title would lend one to believe. Ruin runners, bootleggers, crooked politicians, a. villainous deputy sheriff, a beautiful girl editor and h scholarly young professor—these are .some of the ingredients in the latest Paramount comedy-melodrama. The photoplay was adapted from the gripping novel of the same name by Clarence Budington Kellaud, by Jack Cunningham. The story lias lost none of its vitality in the process of transference to the screen, and Alan Crosland, the director has taken full advantage of the many opportunities the plot affords, so that from start to finish, the picture is an alternating succession of gasps and chuckles. The gasps are furnished by no less than four—count ’em—four villains, and the chuckles are provided by the be-wildered-looking young professor, who proves in the end, that in spite of his academic- training, be is quite human and as susceptible to Cupid’s darts as any human. In brief, the story details the adventures of a lovely young miss, who inherits a small-town bankrupt newspaper and proceeds to make it a paying proposition and a. force for good in the community. Tier efforts to clean up the town arc frowned upon by a local politician who is the secret head of a hand of rum-runners and bootleggers. 'With the assistance of his chief henchman,' a villainous de-puty-sheriff, he tries to discourage and discredit the girl, hut, nil Ills plans fail and at the conclusion law and order triumph. Lois Wilson, Noah Berry, Raymond McKee are featured in the principal roles of the picture. The second chapter of the new serial “Wolves of the North.” starring William Duncan and Edith Johnson and a good comedy complete the display toil iglit.

THE OPTIMISTS. INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINERS. Twenty-six items, each a gem—that’s what the Optimists, International Entertainers; have to offer the public of Hokitika at the Princess Theatre on Monday next, when they will appear for one night only. The company has just terminated a successful season of 14 nights in Auckland. According to press reports, it is credit, ed with being one of the best combinations that has toured Australia or New Zealand. Among the prominent members of the company is Sam Stern, the famous character comedian and composer. direct from his London and New York •engagements. Every Londoner knows Sam Stern. He won fame iu a single night, when he took London by storm with “ Yiddlc on Your Fiddle.” his own composition. This song was as popular a song hit then as “ Yes, We Have No Bananas” a year or two ago. Sam Stern is well known for his Italian, French and Jewish character sketches, and will give sketches from his reportoire at the Princess Theatre on Monday evening next. Another well known artist iff the Optimists is Peggy Peat (late of J. C. Williamson companies), Australia’s premier songstress ; Meta. Gilbert, Continental dramatic soprano; Sanoya Baudine, soubrette and dancer; Stan Budson-Airtli, comedian and dancer; Marie Francis, a charming girl in song and dance; George Collins, everybody’s favourite; Albert Carlisle, silver" tenor; Francis Cornwall, eminent baritone; The Harmony , Trio, jazz frnzzlers; and Mr Arthur Burns, who will appear iff several of his famous sketches. A recent criticism of the Auckland “ Herald ” said : “ The Optimists’ entertainment is clean, clover, and refreshing, and every artist in this company captured the house and between them keep the possession of it through its developed staying powers, which carried it right to the front for popular favour. The box plan is now open at Miss Mclntosh's confectionery shop.