AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1928, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. JACK LONDON'S “ CALL OF THE WILD ” —TO-NIGHT. Every lover of doers and Nature will lespond to the tremendous outdoor appeal of The Call of the Wild,” the picturisation ot Jack London’s famous novel, which will be shown at the I’rince.ss Theatre to-night. There is a tremendous punch in “ The Call of the \\ iI<I,” and Buck, a wonderful ,St. Bernard supplies the most of it in his light with ;i rattlesnake, a hattje with one of his own kind, and his famous filtv-mile run through the snow at the head of the pack. Fred. Jackson adapted and directed the story—he understood his work, and, what was equally important, he understood his dog actor. No chance is given for a let-down in the performance of either tin' dog or the humans who support him. There are marvellous snow scenes, bleak wastes and wonderful silhouettes in skyline ell'ect that are the real thing. “The Call of the Wild,” is a sincere, sympathetic and intelligent picturisation ol the hook, and should he enjoyed by all lovers of Jack London’s story. Vengeance!—Over hundreds of weary leagues of storm-swept snow wastes, the man had mercilessly lashed his sledge-leader—while beneath a cloak of stoic indifference the dog nursed a sullen wrath that was slowly fanned by eveiy fresh cruelty until at last it could not he controlled. And then with savage passions unleashed you'll see the life and death struggle between man and beast, with only the howling wilderness as witness. The supports to-night are a topical, second chapter of “Strings of Steel” (serial), and a good comedy.

A DRAMATIC EPIC—MONDAY “THE SC All LET LETTER.”

To (lie screen belongs the credit of having, in recent years, produced a number of great dramatic creations that have appealed unreservedly to men and women in every walk of live in every land. Such a picture was “The White Sister” which further enhanced the fame of Miss Lillian dish, but greater even than this mighty drama is “The Scarlet Let ter, Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer’s screen version of Nathaniel Hawthorn’s immortal novel, and in which Miss dish once again demonstrates that she is the greatest artist on the screen today. Almost everyone has, at sometime or another, read “The Scarlet Letter” and thrilled to the marvellous story of love, self-sacrifice and devotion that it presents. Now everyone will have an opportunity of seeing this classic in its screen form, see the ill-fated Hester Prynne living, for a few brief moments, her estatie love with the Rev. Dimmerdale and then braving the sneers and persecutions of the intolerant, people amongst, whom she lived because she would not reveal the name of the man she loved. The‘field of fiction has never produced a greater work than “The Scarlet Letter,” the motion pictures have never made better use of a wonderful subject. Victor vSeastrom, who directed this epic, which comes to the Princess Theatre on .Monday is acknowledged to be a past-master of screen drama. “lie Who (lets Slapped” and “.Name the Man” were made by him and are still remembered as magnificent productions. “The Scarlet Letter” is undoubtedly his greatest work. In the story itself be had everything required t .' make a magnificent drama, in Miss Gish 1:' had a star whose emotional art has made her world-famous and in Lars Hanson, celebrated Swedish actor, he hail a man who could play the Rev. Pimmesdale to the life. With such a story, director and principal players it is no wonder that “The Scarlet Letter” is making fresh film history throughout the world.

Special prices: Circle 2s, Stalls Is 6d, children under 12 as usual.