PRINCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 235, 23 December 1927, Page 14

PRINCESS

“THE DROP KICK* Richard Barthelmess has played many and varied roles in his colourful career in pictures, but it is undoubtedly as a college boy of to-day that he is most popular with his admirers. Richard plays such a role in First National’s “The Drop Kick,” which opened at the Princess Theatre last night. He is a college boy, a football hero, in this gay and frolicsome story. Of course, he meets reverses, is suspected of being a cad, and becomes very unpopular. All of which gives Barthelmess a chance for the sort of dramatic work that endears him to everyone who admires artistry on the screen. For a college picture, “The Drop Kick” has considerable plot, as well as true college atmosphere. The death of the beloved coach is a high spot of the picture, and in these sequences Barthelmess reveals his fine shading of characterisation and his understanding of drama again. The cast supporting Barthelmess is an especially good one. Pretty Barbara Kent is the leading lady, and a more charming personality could not

have been chosen. Dorothy Revier is splendid as the extravagant wife of the coach, and Eugene Strong does a sincere characterisation of

her husband. James Bradbury, jun., provides much of the comedy. Hedda Hopper is a lovely mother, and Alberta Vaughan is clever as the “jazzy” girl friend. “The Drop Kick” is a Ray Rockett production, and was directed by Millard Web. It is mighty good entertainment, and presents Richard Barthelmess in a sympathetic role that is extremely well done. Though Larry Semon has long since been famous as a portrayer of screen comedy roles of various natures, his latest Starring pictue, “The Perfect Clown,” also presented last night, reveals him in some refreshingly r.ew episodes. Comedy of a high order prevails, but many thrills are provided by the exciting chase scenes, which are rendered most realistic by the presence of real police, who were pressed into service Musical numbers played during the performance by the Princess Orchestra, under Mr. Howard Moody, included “Stepping On the Ivories”; selections from “Lady, Be Good”; and

“The Student Prince,” also “L’Arlesienne” (Bizet), and “Hjere Kati” as the overture, with violin solo by Miss Gladys Vincent.