STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 378, 12 June 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“MOTHER MACHREE” | It is a delightful programme which is ! being presented at the Strand Theatre and which has delighted many hundreds of Auckland picturegoers since its triumphant premiere screening last Friday evening, when a big audience assembled to see the much-talked-of photoplay. “Mother Machree.” This tender story of mother love and sacrifice is as beautiful as the song which inspired it. Commencing in the picturesque little fishing village of Ballymooney, in Galway, the film gives some delightful glimpses of Irish wit and character before crossing to America, where pretty Ellen McHugh takes her son after his father is drowned in a storm on the Irish Coast. The United States is not the bountiful land Ellen pictured it, and she and her little son have sore trials and tribulations before Irish luck stands to them. Ellen has to part with her son in order to advance his career, and the mother’s renunciation provides some of the most powerful acting in the picture. Very touching. too, are the scenes where Mother Machree has to efface herself as her son grows to manhood. In the end, however, thanks to the nobility of character of both mother and son, the loyalty of lion-hearted Terence O’Dowd, the “Giant of Kilkenny,” all ends happily, and wedding bells ring for both mother and son when Brian McHugh and Terence O’Dowd return from the Great War..

Belle Bennett, who made such a success as “Stella Dallas,” gives a most poignant characterisation as “Mother Machree.” The part runs the gamut of the emotions, but throughout it. Miss Bennett portrays mother love with unfailing nobility. Victor McLaglen, the South African giant, is excellent as Terence O’Dowd, while Constance Howard, as the heroine, and Neil Hamilton as Brian McHugh collaborate most successfully. An ideal atmosphere for the Irish picture is created by Mr. Birrell O’Malley, the eminent Irish tenor, who renders the beautiful song, “Mother Machree,” with rare tenderness and feeling. Mile. Valeska, well known in Auckland dancing circles, presents several charming Irish dances. Irish melodies also figure in the musical portion of the entertainment. Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra renders as its overture, “Emerald Isle,” and delights everyone with the selection of Irish airs.