EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1923, Page 5

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Edwin Carewe, it is said, reaches great emotional heights in "Mighty Lak' a Rose," which is the star attraction at the Empress Theatre to-day. The story has as its theme the redeeming virtues of music and its power to sway the lives of people, but back of this' is still a deeper thought. Simply, the tale tells of Rose Duncan, a beautiful blind girl, whom fate throws in the hands of " Bull " Morgan, leader of a gang. Jimmie Harrison, a young member of "Bull's" clique, falls in love with Rose, and through her gentle nature and her music begins to realise the futility of the life h e is leading. In a fight between Jimmie and the hard-fisted boss of the gang Rose is injured. This brings to all of them an awakening and a resolve tft go straight. This is accomplished, but a final sacrifice is made by them to secure sufficient money for an operation on Rose s eyes. In this final theft Jimmie is caught by the police and sentenced to prison, and the girl believes him dead. Years pass, while Rose, with' sight regained, pursues a musical career with the aid of a wealthy man who had fallen in love with her. The hour of her triumph comes on the day when Jimmie is released from prison, and it is the sound of the song, " Mighty Lak' a Rose," that makes him pause at the stage door to listen, and brings the two togethor again. Dorothy Mackaill as Eose Duncan is a splendid choice for the blind violinist. Her frail beauty, golden hair, and wistfulness give to the character an almost spiritual appeal. James Eennie as Jimmie in this characterisation is said to place himself among the foremost leading men on the screen.