AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBQDYS PICTURES * ‘The shakedown* ’ —to-night. Occasionally there comes to the screen jin ,unheralded picture that proves to be. a. knockout.’ Such a picture is Universal’s “The Shakedinurn,!’ now;’showing at the Princess Thbytrcv to-night. The leading roles ifil-tlio production are entrusted to , I#’. .of the screen’s most promising ! ypuhgsters, James Murray and Barbftht•Aunt.'’The acting ot these two is, m times, inspiring. Telling a stir-i-itig story of the oil fields and prize ring, “The Shakedown” has for its theme the age-old ruse of unscrupulous’ promoters of faked fights staged for the express intention of collecting bets. Murray portrays lole of- .the come-on man for a -gfceiip of ring racketeers who are working the faked fight. racket in small communities. Sent into an. oil town with instructions to get a job, make V friends and pave the way for his next faked fight with Battling Roff, ■' ; a professional x , light heavyweight, Murray meets the girl, played by. Miss K«iut, dhd ....ai..r'nirie-year-613 - ‘.igtreok waif, played "by 'Jack Hanlon,'' and,becausef,of . their love for him, decides tor forsake his old racket for a life more honourable. There’, is nothing." saccharine or mawkish about the sttiry.. As Davtei Roberts, Murray does not indulge in any tawdry sentimentalities about his intended "reform, bii't merely . decides to go straight rather than Jose the respect of people her loves if, His decision results in the scheduled fight being on the square and the. picture climaxes with fight scenes that bring the audience out of- their chairs. ' The remainder oi the 'east', includes George Kotsonaros, "Wheeler Oakman, Jack Hanlon and Harry Griibbon. William Wyler directed ;it. .... ’ ;The supporting pictures will include further' chapters of the serial anil “Collegians,” with a good comedy. Lovers of good music are also to be catered for when Mr F. Restieaux and his orchestra will be heard in several new selections.