AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS’ PICTUREB " THEN CAME THE WOMAN” —TO-NI GUT.

Words Co ll only hint vaguely of the thrills which arc contained in “ Then c amc the \N oinan,” presented lor the first time to-night at the Princess 1 heatre. Never has the screen seen anything more thrilling than the moving panorama of hurtling forest which is the climax of the picture. Human beings, animals, denizens of the forest run nmdly before the moving tongues of flame, until the whole forest is a mass of lire, engulfing them all. This fire is an astounding climax for a film which from its very beginning is .a thing ol interest. There is no involved story contained in it. It concerns the regeneration of a young lad through faith and kindness, out of which develops a beautiful friendship between the hoy and his benefatUor. owner of a lumber camp. Then the woman comes into their lives and it is the forest fire which solves the eternal problem, whether the older man, to whom she is in honour hound, or the younger man, she loves, shall win her. Cullen Landis, as a boy, gives a tremendously sincere performance; lie appears to live the part. We can recall no portrayal for many, many week's which is the equal to this one. Prank Mayo, as the man, his friend, plays with a depth of feeling which helped to make the many touching scenes between the two ring so true. For the role of the girl we can think of no one who would have been sweeter or more appealing than Mildred Ryan. The part calls for the least artistry of the three principal roles hut Miss Ryan’s work is none the less satisfaetory because of this. The usual supports will also be shown including the latest in topicals and a good comedy.

JACKIE COOGAN, MONDAY. Jackie C'oogan will he the star favourite in Monday night’s picture presentation at Princess Theatre. Jackie Coogan’s newest production “Johnny Get Your Hair Cut.” will lie largely instrumental in reviving racing in the Slate of California. Jackie and his company journeyed to Tnnforan. near San Francisco to film the race track scenes in Gerald Beaumont’s Bed Book magazine story. Racing has been at a standstill in the Golden State for more than two years. The publicity accruing from Jackie’s presence at the famous racecourse is being seized upon by the breeders of thoroughbreds in the West to stimulate renewed interest in running races. This Metro-Goldyn-Maycr film is .scheduled for showing at Princess Theatre on Monday night.