EMPIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 265, 30 January 1928, Page 13

EMPIRE

TWO BIG FILMS ‘Th« Gilded Highway,” a llffter picture, which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre, is a story of ae. happy family to whom unexpected wealth brought tragedy and suffering, and is based on the W.B. Maxwell novel, “A Little More.” Dorothy Devore and John Harron are featured as sister and brother of the middle class family, who are rich in friendships, loyalty, and love for one another. Florence Turner. old-time favourite, and the first star of the films, returns to the screen as the mother, and proves herself as excellent an actress as ever. The supporting cast gives consistently interesting performances, and the entire production is well worth seeing. “The Unknown,” a Metro - Goldwyn-Mayer special production, is also being shown at the Empire Theatre. Lon Chaney is absolutely astonishing as the armless wonder of the circus troupe, which forms the basis of the story, and his remarkable love for the proprietor’s daugh - ter is the pulse of the great drama that carries the story forward t:> a mighty climax.

Dorothy Devoro

“The Merry Widow,” a very merry and dashing picture adapted from th« sparkling comio opera, is soon to be presented in Auckland. Ma© Murray and John Gilbert enact the leading roles, those of Sally O’Hara, the American dancer who delighted Paris and Prince Danilo, the lord of some mythical kingdom. Prince Danilo is a gorgeous fellow with fine uniforms, monocle and black moustache, the very man/for the Merry Widow, who dances unconcernedly over the hearts of her twains. John Gilbert gives a highly-coloured performance, and Mae Murray asi Sally is both sincere and picturesque.