AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

everybUdys PICTURES.

“THE GREAT DIVIDE.”

all talking AND singing,

TO-NIGHT r TO-NIGHT !

Tile West lias rarely been the background lor a. more colourful and stirring romance than that depicted in “The Great Divide,” the First National Vi’taplione production, which opens to-night at the Princess Theatre. Dorothy Mackaill is the bright particular star. Those who rememoer “The Great Divide” as a play will find the dramaio stage vehicle, which enjoyed popularity for many years in the United States and Europe, heightened in suspense and action in this all-dialogue Vitaphome talkie. A number of tuneful songs have been injected into the scenes, surprising those who never could have oelieved that the play r would lend itself so admiralblf. to music. The picture at some moments assumes . tin rhythm and. harmony of. an especially in a big fiesta that takes olace in Mexico. Put the audition is brought back to the story with such adroitness and skill that no one realises the digression. Stephen Ghent, played by lan Keith, sings the melod.ous theme song, “At tile End of the Lonsome Trail,” and displays a fine voice. Myrna Lay isirigs ‘‘Si, Si Senor,” another tuneful number. The story does not demand a singing role from Dorothy Mackaill) the star, but this charming actress portrays one of the most sensational parts she has undertaken on the screen. 'She is a flapper who has grown up,. She' is sophisticated, pleasure-seeking, and with few thrills ■eft to experience. She is the life.. °f a wild party on a West-bound train which endjs when ■ she is kidpapped by. a fake caballero in , old Mexico. Vfter wandering with him for many days through the -beautiful- Arizona country she le.arns to love.,him. Later she protects him from-the law that lias pursued them through mountains and desert. The plot is, strong and realistic, in keeping with tlie sqenic grandeur, of. the Iqgaife.. Miss - Mac* kaill’s role is of the type in which she had such, great success in recent pictures. It is, a new. theatrical experience to hear hard-boiled .. wisecracks come, .from subli a, (beautiful creature as Dorothy. Myrna Loy, as a half-caste Mexican girl, .gives ail exotic portray-ah. If is the same kind of part she took in “Tlie Squall.” The cast is unusually' good,, the voices U,ir Registerin.g , \yell, .. Among the players are Creighton . Hale, Luci.en Littlefield, Roy Stewart, James Ford, Jean Lorraine and Claude Gillingwater. The handsome lan Keith performs excellently as Miss Mackaill’s leading man. Also big , supporting programme.

■ Prices: Circle, 3s 3d; Stalls, 2s Children (under 12), downstairs, Gd

SOLDIERS’ HALL, TO-NIGHT

, There will be a special, gramophone recital at tlie Soldiers’ Hall to-night. Mr H. T. Parry has a range of some 150 records, to select from, and.a specially good entertainment will he provided. The proceeds will be devoted to the Returned Soldiers’ Building Fund.

Tlie programme will commence at 8 o’clock and include some of the latest orchestral and vocal records, as well as .several humorous numbers, and special dance numbers. The machine to be used gives splendid reproduction, the quality of the tone being all that could be desired. The admission is one shilling, children half-price.