AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES.

“A MILLION BID” TONIGHT,

Those who have seen Dolores Costello in the Master Pictures “The Sea Beast” or “The Third Degree” will look for great things from her characterisation in “A Million Bui” and their expectations will be gratified beyond their most extravagant dreams. Dolores Costello has never had a part more calculated to bring into vivid emotional reality the possibilities of her genius. The story is that of a girl who is 'freed by 'a storm at sea from her her husband and her mother, and at last married to the young doctor, whose .letters- her mother had intercepted. .When, life goes well with the two, the supposedly drowned husband comes back. He is suffering from loss of memory, and the young surgeon insists that it is his duty to operate on him; in spite of the havoc his returned rhemory may cause to him, and to his wife ;a.nd child. The operation is stiecessfuly performed, but with returning memory, something fine awakens in the. old man, and pretending that he ddes not recognise his benefactors, he wanders out of their lives. This is but■ a .bare outline of a story thrilling and big.and authentic. Warner Gland, as the old husband, gives one of tbc most masterful of bis performances. The manly Malcolm McGregor plays the young husband with force and charm. Betty Blythe, who will lie remembered as the “Queen of Sheba” in that great spectacle of several years ago, is the frigid, wordly mother in perfection. Willian Demurest and Douglas Cerrard successfully lighten the tragedy,'and the baby will win the love of nil mothers everywhere. Grace Gordon, as the maid, also gives a cred-itable-performance. ■ Added .to the fineness of the acting is the technical beauty of the picture. The photography is unusually ' brilliant, and Mieheal Curtiz has again, proven himselfl a truly great director. Everyone should see Dolores Costello in “A Milllion Bid.” ''A topical and comedy will also bo shown. On Wed nod ay Dorothy Gisfi and Antonio Moreno in “Madame Pompadour. ” '"Friday “Cowboy Musketeer.” COWBOY BAND. WEDNESDAY NIGHT. To-inorrow (Wednesday) night at

the Princess Theatre (he Canadian

Cowboy Band will give an entertainment that is very highly spoken of. The Christchurch “Press” states:As foi' tin' Cowboy Band, controlled I y Fred Mayfield, gathered from the great ranches of Canada, and consisting of nine musicians who play, in all,-thirty-seven instruments, the mob that is possible to say is that this orchestra is equal in talent to the host that have yet visited the* country. Fred Mayfield’s Band is a strictly modern one, and specialises in modern music, and. though the players give an excellent account of themselves in the classics and in works of standard composers, they obviously arc at their happiest iii the jolly old jazz. In this region of their art tiny presented, for the first time in Christchurch. the latest American “hits.” which will be heard in the c-ity next winter. Only nine ot them hut, surrounded by their thirty odd instruments, they make as equally brave a showing as they do a hearing. The Cowboy Band is a picturesque enough company on the stage. They are dressed as the conventional cowhoy always dresses, and as Mr Zanc Grey and his fellows have given him to us. Before a backdrop representing an everyday scene on a western ranch, they bring the final note oF atmosphere into their turn, and establish a current of friendship between them and their audience. After the concert a grand dance will be held, in the Drill Mall.