AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS’ PICTURES

STELLA DALLAS 'TO-NIGHT

Think of the three greatest tional entertainments ever screened

‘■Over the Ilii'l,” “Humoresque,” anti “ .Madame X ” —take all the sweet appeal of the first, the romantic beauty of the second, and the poignant tragedy of the third; tints can a vivid idea he gained of the wealth of emotional enjoyment provided patrons of the Princess Theatre when United Artists’ big I‘2-ri'el super-feature “Stella Dallas, - ’ will he presented., “ Stella Dallas is a deeply pathetic, though at times deliciously humorous story of human frailty. Its action revolves round a central character, Stei’la, whoso love-life is an eventful romance fired with a rest for the hotter things of life, and tinged with the pathos of her hopeless errors. A mill worker in a small, shabby town, her heart longs for romance. .She is attracted to Stephen Dallas, a young man who comes from a more refined social

sphere. They marry and their union i- Messed hv a strange and beautiful child. Laurel (played by Lois Moran). Not realising how tongues wag. Stella, in her bohemian way, starts a flirtation with Ed. Muiin. a rather loud and vulgar riding master (pi’ayed by Jean 11 orsholt. the screen’s character actor). She and her husband become estranged and when her child Laurel is snubbed by the other school children on the great event of her eighth birthday party, she packs herself and Laurel off to a fashionable summer resort to try and forget, lint Stella, no matter how she attempts by painting and primping, to lie “quality," society doesn’t lake her up. Some giddy hoys and gin's mock, her gay and garish

garb in the presence of Laurel, flushed with shame. Laurel and hot mother leave the hotel. Laurel not even saying good-bye to Richard Rrovesnor. her first sweetheart (played by Douglas Fairbanks. Junr.). Rack in town. Stella determines to grant her husband a divorce, providing lie takes Laurel. She hopes to find sumo fleeting joy and love in making Tier daughter happy. I.aurei'. however. rc> fuses to separate from her mother and live with her father and his new and 'ldtured wife. So the pathetic Stella .h liberal civ drives her beloved daughter away by marrying the vulgar Tvf Mmm, whom the girl lothcs ana despise.-. Later the papers announce the wedding between Laurel and voting {' rnsveimr. and on the evening of the loror.ion.v, in a slashing rain. Stei’la, now shabby and dilapidated, stands outside, peering in between the iron fencing, and see- the minster give the, child his blessing, sees tile happy gathering with her poor poor heart breaking, yet happy. Dramatic points and counter points, peaked witli emoiir.it. lill f vary reel of “Stella Dallas." In it are youth, beauty, romance and a ih'rp. under-lying pathos and richness of unusual' situations that alternately streak the cheeks with tears and wreathe the face with smiles. The role of Stella Dallas is interpreted by America’s great emotional stage-star, ladle Bennett, with popular Ronald Coi'mnn in the principal male rule.