AMUSEMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

EVERYBODYS’ PICTURES. THE WASHINGTON MASQUERADE. Washington with its swirl of political intrigue, social, splendour and the dramatic details of the “insicie” ol national political 'machinery', form a spectacular background for Licnel Barrymore’s newest appearance ui tile screen in “The Washington Masquerade.”

Based on “The Claw,” one of the famous actor’s greatest successes on the stage, the new Metro-Goldwj’n-Mayer picture, which is now playing at the Princess Theatre, "presents tlie actor in a truly “Barrymdre-sized” role, as the senator and political power who is muster of men, but nevertheless the tool of- a designing woman. Barrymore plays a Middle Western senator 'Who becomes a sensational leader and national power. Unab.e to reach him any other way, the lobbyists try a woman, employed to charm recalcitrant legislators. The senator falls in love with her, marries her, sacrifices his career and resigns from the Senate at her behest. Afte'r he turns traitor to his party, lie discovers the trick that has been played on him. Flow he battles it cut* before the Senate tearing down the structure of political manipulation in a final sensational victory forms a powerful climax. Charles Brabin directed fhe story with deft skill, and many deft human touches at-e interspersed amid the spectacle of president’s receptions and state banquets, impressive speeches on the floor of the Senate and sensational exposures of the “inside” qf -Washington politics. A good supporting programme will also be shown.