STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 15

STRAND

“THE LITTLE IRISH GIRL” The Strand Theatre has echoed again and again during the last few nights to the unrestrained laughter of enthusiastic audiences, during the screening of “The Little Irish Girl,” the first big feature picture now being shown. “The Little Irish Girl,” the Warner picture starring Dolores Costello, is a crook story, but instead of the locale of the ordinary crook-picture —the dens and back alleys of the big city—that of the “The Little Irish Girl” is the country. The scenario was adapted by Darryl Francis Zanuck from “The Grifters,” popular story of C. D. Lancaster. The story has a brief opening in iSan Francisco in a nest of pickpockets and confidence men. Certain circumstances made it advisable for some of them to take a vacation in the country, and, as chance throws an invitation in their way, they leave for Tupper Springs, where they assume their usual sheep’s clothing. They ultimately find, however, that they are really city rubes out of their element when the country sharpers begin to play with them. Directed by the creator of “Hogan’s Alley” and “The Man Upstairs,” “The Little Irish Girl” is said to be packed full with unexpected situations, a tender love story and many amusing incidents. The ending is of that delightful twisty type characterising O. Henry’s short stories. Beside the delicate beauty of Dolores Costello, and the handsome good nature of Johnny Harron, the cast contains the polished brutality of Mathew Betz, the bubbling fun of Dot Farley, the comic innuendo of Lee Moran, the sweetness and sly humour of Gertrude Claire, the quiet dignity of Joseph Dowling, and the imposingly pretentious air of financial prosperity which is associated with Henry Barrows. A Strand Magazine, containing the latest topical budgets and world news, together with an excellent musical programme, complete a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment.