'M'LISS.'

Evening Star, Issue 17328, 16 April 1920, Page 6

'M'LISS.'

Anpenrin.g to s : gnal advantage in ' M'Liss.'' Bret Harte's storv of the Golden West of '49, M-nry Vickford snored another triumph at the Octagon Theatre this afternoon. The legion of admirers of this popular screen star turned out in force, and they emphasised in no uncertain way the popularity of the star,' and the superiority of her ktest Artcraft picture vehicle.As 'M'Liss,' Maiy Pic'.:ford has abundant cnporttinites for the d : splay of her versatile genius. She is a t her best as the harum-scarum child of the mines, the daughter of a drunken father, to whom she pays the most devoted care. The object of ridicule wherever she went, tha snort of the boys and girls of Red Gulch. she had learned to take her own part, and in numerous scenes with these children, to the de!i::ht of the m-dience. she demonstrated beyond question her fighting abilities. One day a school teacher, Charles Gray, is brought to Red Gulch bv Yuba Bill, the stage driver, and 'M'Liss' raselve.s to be " learned "' and to become the pupil of Cray. Stibsenuentlv Jim Peterson and Clara Packer amve m R«d Gulch. Smith, the uncle of 'M'Liss,' has left a will leaving his large estate to her father, and Peterson hopes, with the aid of his accomplice, to become possessed of the fortune. Peterson has Smith murdered by M;'.\"cm Joe, and when tho body is found, suspicion rest upon Gray, who" had been seen to leave the cabin a few minutes before the murder. When M'Liss is informed of the death of her father and of the suspicion that Gray is the murderer. F he hastens to Red Gulch with the design of saving the teacher, in whose innocence she has absolute confidence, from harm Meanwhile Gray is placed on trial with Peterson as foreman of the jurv. The jury, dominated bv their foreman,* renders a verdict of " Guiltv" and Judge Snagley sentences him to 20 years' imprisonment. M Liss and Yuba Bill, however, effect Gray's escape. Peterson, who fears that his complicity in the murder may become known, seeks to escape, and is pursued bv the sheriff s posse in the belief that he is tho escaping prisoner. In a fight which ensues he is mortally wounded and reveals the secret of the murder. M'Liss and Gray are united and all ends happily. The «nmporting pictures include a Mack Sennett eomeay 'Speak Easy,' a Paramount Magazine and Topical Gazettes. The box plan is at Cnarks Begg and Co.'s warehouse.