NATIONAL AND LYRIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 18, 12 April 1927, Page 12

NATIONAL AND LYRIC

BIGGER THAN BARNUM’S An entertaining melodrama of circus life is featured in “Bigger Than Darnflms,” which heads the programme to be presented at the National and Lyric Theatres for the first time to-day. The story is of an old man, his son and daughter who comprise a tight-rope troupe. To help business the manager orders them to work without nets. The boy refuses to imperil the girl’s life, leaves and is branded as a coward. The old man, proud of liis reputation of never failing to go on, falls and is crippled. Later, when he is in a burning building, his son climbs a pole and, walking across telegraph wires, brings him to safety. In this way he reveals real courage, and wins the girl and his place in the show. The featured players are Ralph Lewis, Viola Dana, George O’Hara and Ralph Ince. “The Perfect Sap,” with Pauline Starke and Ben Lyon, will also be shown. A vaudeville act will be presented in which a troupe of highly-trained dogs perform several clever acts.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI THE OLD SOAK Lo\ e, liquor, an “Old Soak,” his son a chorus girl and a musical comedv and a bootlegger are a few of the elements composing "The Old Soak,” the picture which comes to the Princess and Tivoli Theatres on Thursday. 1' is Jean Hersholt’s first starring vehicle, and he does exceptionally well in the title role. George Lewis, discovered by Edward Sloman in “His People,” plays the juvenile lead, while June Marlowe plays opposite him. Lucy Beaumont is the mother; George Siegmann, the bootlegger; William V. Mong, the crooked cousin; Gertrude Astor, a friend of Miss Marlowe's; Ada Gleason, a daughter; Tom Kicketts, a roue, and Louise Fazenda, the maid. Edward Sloman directed. The story concerns this family. The son gets into trouble and everyone, despite their personal weaknesses, works to get him out of it. The "Old Soak” shoulders the blame. The story is full of comedy and drama and works out to a forceful climax. It is one of the best pictures these theatres will offer this season.