THE LYRIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 July 1927, Page 15

THE LYRIC

DAINTY COLLEEN MOORE A delightfully refreshing programme is being shown at the Lyric Theatre this week. The picture of the evening is entitled “Orchids and Ermine,” in which charming Colleen Moore has the leading role. She is seen as a telephone girl, “Pink*’ Watson, at the Hotel De Luxe in New York, and she certainly makes the most of a part brimful of amusing possibilities. Possessed of the ambition to win a rich and charming husband, her chance comes, when Richard Tabor, a young millionaire, arrives at the hotel. He was a nice, bashful, but persistent young man, though very retiring in disposition. He therefore exchanges names and positions with his valet, and under cover of the lesser role he falls in love with the sparkling little switchboard operator. Some hilarious scenes follow the impersonations, and both the valet and the shy man of money are placed in decidedly awkward situations at times, and their trials and tribulations provide the audience with an abundance of laughter. .Jack Mulliall is most likeable, in his latest and undoubtedly most successful .effort as the handsome young moneybags. The story is a fast-moving tale of love in springtime, with the lilt of gay laughter and the pathos that is born out of true love. In all her brilliant career, Colleen Moore has never done finer or more sincere acting than in this picture, with its arresting portrait of life in a great hotel, where luxury and wealth mingle with hopes and fears, and love and laughter, in grand romance. A powerful supporting cast, magnificent sets, and skilled direction, have combined to make “Orchids and Ermine” one of the brightest and most daintily-portrayed “Colleen” pictures seen for many a day. “A Man of Nerve” heads the supporting programme Bob Custer is the hero of a story in which he is placed in peril of his life away out West by an unjust accusation, which honour forbids him to refute. This picture is essentially one of daring and swift action, through which a dainty love theme is woven, with the happiest conclusion. The girl of the tale is played by Jean Arthur, as Loria Gablin.