AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS’ PICTURES “MARRIAGE CLAUSE” TO-NIGHT. The ago of miracles has nut yet passed. And if you don’t believe it go to the Princess Theatre to-night where the Universal Jewel ‘’The Marriage Clause,” holds forth and take a look at Francis X Bushman, who appears not a day over thirty. How lie does it. wo don’t know, but to see him playing opposite sweet Billie Dove, is enough to knock all the other younger so-called leading men into a cocked hat. “The Marriage Clause” is a brilliant storyof stage life, that mysterious hunterland o( the drama that is perhaps the least known of all vocations. Here we see the busy stage hands, electricians, grips, prop men. technicians, performing the tasks that keep the play moving on well-oiled hinges. The loves and .strifes of the actors are portrayed with an amazing fidelity of real life, that reflects nothing but credit to Lois Weber, the director. There is a smoothness and

snap to the entire program that brings one to the end far too soon and makes ono wish to see more. To our mind that is the acme of motion picture presentation. Buslnnan is superb as the stage director. He portrays bis role with a fire and feeling umlimined by tlio passing of the years. He revives one’s faith in the old school and his finished performance speaks ill for the modern, poorly-equipped youth of tho average picture. Billie T)uvo is perfect as tho actress. Her striking beauty and intelligence, are most appealing and there i,s not a scene in which she doesn’t ring true. Tt was indeed a wise choice that prompted Universal officials to play these two gifted players opposite each other. Warner Gland as the theatrical manager, is well. . . Warner Gland! One can scarcely give him more praise. Tn everything in which we have seen him. we feel convinced that nobody else could have handled his roles belter. Grace Darmoml as the jealous actress makes one want to shake her and tel! her to live and let live. It was a difficut part and she. handles it- with delicacy and finesse. Henri La Garde as the doctor, Caroline Snowden as Pansy, Oscar Smith, Andre Clioron, Robert Dudley, Charles Aleak in and the bale nee of the wonderful east prove that there is such a thing as the perfect picture. A Topical and Comedy completes the display to-night. On Wednesday next Bulldog Drummond’s “Third Round.” Friday next Rex’s Reach’s “The Barrier.”