AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURES LON CHANEY IN A STARTLING PICTURE TO-NIGHT. As the queer fakir of “The Miracle Man,” as the legless villain of '‘The Penalty,” as the pahetic half animal of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame’’ as the grotesque spectral figure of the “Phantom of the Opera,” as the Ventriloquist of “The Unholy Three” Lon Chaney, the most fascinating personality in motion pictures, has never been so a,mazing as in his remarkable dual portrayal in “The Blackbird,” his l new Metro-Go Id wy n -May e r picture. Throughout his latest production Tie is a thing of mystery; not a ghost, but a human being, whose mystery, in its denouement, crystallizes into oiie of the most daring surprises ever conceived. And a mystery the story remains to the last, an enigma that holds one in suspense .a dramatically powerful epic that always takes the most unexpected twists. Ciiii.l Limehou.se fogs—ghostly shadows seen dimly under feebly glowing lamps—a persistent feeling of oxIPOctnuey of something unknown —a foreboding of unseen tragedy—and then a climax that is at once pathetic and humanly real. In “The Blackbird” there is a gripping quality of authenticity and sincerity of purpose and motive that reflects itself most admirably in the picture’s great dramatic strength. The four central figures of the picture are “The Blackbird’’ a notorious and daring personality. “The Bishop,” a benevolent cripple with an overwhelming love for the pitiful human wrecks of the Limehouse district, a handsome gentleman “crook” and a pretty vaudeville artist. The two first are dually portrayed by Lon Chaney and the other players are Owen Moore and Renee Adoree respectively. A good sun,porting programme also will be shown to-night including the latest in Topieals and a fine Comedy. Wednesday—-A big western, drama starring Harry Carcv in “Driftin’ Thru.”

PEERLESS PICTURES. Woodstock, Thursday, loth, Ivbkatahi, Friday,* 16th, Hariliari, Saturday, 17th. Peerless Pictures present as above “Pride of the Force.” Patrolman Danny Moore, whose beat is the Barbary Coast of ’Frisco, is slated for promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Together with other “cops” he is hotly pursuing in an auto three thugs who have just robbed a jewellery store. The racing car knocks down a child play in the street, and Danny abandons tlie chase to go to the aid of the child. For this he is censured by his Captain, who withholds his promotion and assigns him to desk duty, almost breaking Danny’s heart. Jimmy Moore, a weakling son, is, unknown to his parents, in the power of Charles Weldon, a high-class crook, Weldon secretly runs a fashionable gambling den, though he is supposed to be-in the real estate business. Jim’si sister, Mary, is engaged to Jack Griffon a banker’s son. Weld on is also in love with Mary, and is determined that Griffon shall not have her. At desk Danny learns through Lefty, a stool pigeon, of a big rob-; hery which Weldon, known to the police as “Charlie the Gent,” is staging, at the Griffen place. Danny obtains permission to go out on the raid which the police are going to make to catch “the gent” with the goods. He Jeads the squad, catches the gang red-linnclod and wins his promotion to the rank of Sergeant for his good work. * But at what a sarc.rificc! for he is forced toarrest his own son and daughter, who have been implicated. Things look black indeed to Danny. He was the Pride of the Force, she was his own daughter and ho had to arrest her; lA gripping story of a big hearted man who did his duty and found happiness. See the rest for yourself. T lie supports include a comedy and Gazette.

Note:—Usual prices will prevali for this anighty picture.