AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURESREX BEACH STORY TO-NIGHT. Universal has brought Rex Beach’s novel, “ The Michigan Kid,” to the screen of the Princess Theare to-night in a pretentious special which is at once gorgeous in scenic beauty and gripping in ’’dramatic'power- The photoplay is a massive production with two of the screen’s most popular stars enacting the tremendous emotional roles, Conrad Nagel-and Renee Adoree. Nagel has never appeared to better advantage than as the famous Michigan Kid, , notorious honest gambler in Alaska J during the mighty gold rush of 1898. This characterization is one of sweeping verVe—the Kid being the type that is a Hell-cat gone mad when he has just cause for his wrath, but who otherwise is gentle and loving toward his friends, and much addicted to charity in <the right place/ Miss Adoree ( gives a’-sincere portrayal of the girl from the States who comes to-Alaska for' the purpose of marrying a boyhood sweetheart who has become a rotter. The story carries the audience through the exciting days, of' the gold rush—i through dance halls, gambling dens, the boat from the States,; over .Cliilkoot Pass to the mines in the- interior ahd ; back down a raging mountain stream by canoe through a forest-de-vouring holocaust. The picture is sensational in every : way .and is easily the best ever filmed Around the Alaskan locale. The entire forest fire sequence is done in natural colours .which adds materially to the menace,of the.flames and incidentally shows a river flowing down it and a fire ravaging its natural splendour. This is easily one of the most-impressive sequences in the season’s photoplay offerings. Lloyd Whitlock is splendid as the weakling who in the mad rush for wealth is driven to theft and cheating. By his naturalness he raises his role from the ranks of an ordinary “ heavy.” Adolph Millar and Fred Esmelton are fine characters while the three children who play the leading characters in their youth are • delightful. They are Maurice Murphy, Virginia Grey and Dick Palm. Credit 'for the smooth direction goes to Irvin Willat.

Further Of the popular “ Collegians,” together with the serial and a good comedy will complete a fine display.