MAORILAND THEATRE.

Shannon News, 26 March 1929, Page 3

MAORILAND THEATRE.

“THE BODY PUNCH.” "When a professional wrestler makes a public boast that he can beat any boxer if they are matched in a fight in which each contestant AVould use his oav.li methods of defence, some determined pugilist is bound to take up the challenge, and particularly Avhen it can be arranged to stage the match at a charity fair held at the home of the most interesting girl in the world. Jack ToAvnsend, handsome -and'champion pugilist, .was confident of the result but Avas unprepared for the turn of events which led to the theft of a valuable pendant and his subsequent arrest on suspicion."*- How Townsend effected !iis escape from the custody of the luav and succeeded . in proving the truth of his suspicions is vividly told in UniA'crsal’s thrilling drama, “The Body Punch,” Avliich Avill bo screened at the Maoiiland Theatre on Wednesday.

PICTURESQUE MELODRAMA . WITH MOST MBAUTIFUL STAR. a . Dolores Costello in the Warner Master Picture, “Old iSan Francisco,” i 3 the attraction on Thursday. And “Old San Francisco” is a thrilling melodrama of the colourful days before the “great fire/’’ when the glamorous City of the Golden Gate had a Barbary Coast, known as “the mile of hell/ and a Chinatown which burrowed, deep, m the earth and hid a thousand grue-' some secrets. , The story has to do with a. Spanish heiress who is kidnapped by a halfcaste boss of the underworld and offered for sale in a subterranean auction room dim with' the fumes of the poppy and garish with teak and sandalwood and gilded dragons. There is a burning story of love and unselfish devotion and the climax, one of the most terrific ever pictured, is the “great fire” which ended the sway of the underworld. ; Dolores Costello- is glorious as the wronged and vengeful senorita, and Warner Gland, as. the sinister boss is superb. Alan Crosland’s direction shows rare understanding and the photography smacks of wizardry.