LYRIC PICTURES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 20 June 1918, Page 3

LYRIC PICTURES.

—Friday Evening—

" The Twinkler," a five-reel Mutual star production with William Russell in the lead, is probably the best Mutual released this year. Now and then a particularly good story is discovered and this is one of the sure winners. It was written by a convict in the big American prison, Sing Sing, and is based on actual happenings. It is a powerful human interest tale of the underworld, with forceful situations abounding. Surprises follow one another thick and fast, and the final climax is particularly unique. .Inadvertently William Russell gets a chance to do some of the best acting of his career and Borne of the finest seen on the screen The " Twinkler " is the nickname of a light-fingered thief—a " dip " in police parlance, and the insight into the methods of the underworld is truly wonderful.

—Saturday Evening—

Reviewed in America as " one of the best film pictures ever made," and -with the hall-mark of success from Australia, Rex Beach's novel and play, " The Barrier," reproduced as a seven-act super-feature under the personal direction of the author in association with the noted American producer, Edgar Lewis, will be screened under the direction of E. J. Carrol, at the Lyric Theatre commencing at 8 p.m. sharp.

Thrilling and intense, " The Barrier " ia crammed with suspense and action in typical Alasean scenery. This stirring play of the struggles of the blood of man against the teachings of nature and natural race prejudice, a barrier that separates him from his beloved, pulsates with interest from beginning to end. It appeals to the sentimentalist in the tragic story of Poleon Doret, th°i French Canadian £of the great heart who sings the bleak shadows away, and it appeals to the out-of-doors man in the excitement of adventures and man-to-man conflicts. "The Barrier " is a film that will make an irresistible appeal to all classes and creeds, as a wholesome, inspiring and faithful interpretation of Rex Beach's fine book. Special music accompanies the film. Dress circle 2/l t stalls 1/1.

—Tuesday Evening—

A relentless exposure of the widespead effect of the heartlessness of one light woman, is told in the World Film play, The Social Leper." June Elvidge as " The Social Leper" is attractive and alluring, and yet contrives to portray a woman whose only thought is pleasure and who only dares for the excitement, of the moment. Even the dangerous illness of her baby girl does not make her pause, and eventually through her, three men's lives become entangled and are made unhappy. Carlyle Blackwell is likeable and effective as the hero, but to Arthur Ashley the acting honours of this strong drama undoubtedly belong. As the craven murderer of the woman with whom he is infatuated, his acting is almost unbearable in its powe^ and grip, and the scene is intensely powerful where he is cowed into confession by the bullying detective.

—Wednesday Evening—

Metro Pictures present the impressive emotional actress, Dorothy Donnelly, in a picturization of the absorbing tale

" Sealed Valley." Nahnya Crossfox with her family and relatives lives in a hidden valley in the north country. In this hidden valley there is untold yirgin gold, and the story which centres round it is of intense interest.