AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS* PICTURES MARY PICKFORD FRIDAY. Nino of tlio most remarkable child actors in pictures are seen in Mary Piekford’s “ Sparrows,” the United Artists’ Corporation picture, which comes to the Princess Theatre on Friday. The young stars were chosen from almost 500 children who responded to a call from Miss Pickford before the picture was started. They were chosen because of their wistful, sad faces, for ai'i aro supposed to bo orphans or abandoned children on a baby farm. Every one proved to be a real “ trouper ” —a willing and capable worker before the camera. They got great fun out of their work, and were faithful and attentive, responding willingly to direction at all times. Their wardrobe did not contain a single article of children’s wearing apparel. The clothes they wore in the picture were the cast-off clothing of grownups, gleaned from second-hand stores in Los Angeles. The children were outfitted by Tom McNamara, a wellknown artist who draws children’s comics, and who aided in the direction of the picture. Baby Muriel McCormae, well-known child star, is one of the group. Billy Butts is another. Monty O’Grady proved to he a “ find,” and will be heard from in the futurey Others in the cast are Billy “Red” Jones, Jack Lavino, Mary MeLnne, Florence Rogan, Cammilla Johnson, Seessel Anne Johnson, Syl'via Bernard, and Mary Louise Miller. The latter two arc hut babies. “ Sparrows ” full of that drollery that children love —is nevertheless a ‘“grown ups” entertainment. Because the compassion it expresses for unfortunate children is of that profound type which adults feel more understanclingly than children themselves. Here is a picture for children and grown-ups both, treated with that wide range of genius for which Mary Pickford is famous, and renly the most exquisite product of the star’s career.

The usual good supporting programme will include “ The Radio Detective ” (serial) and a good comedy. The prices on Friday are: Circle 2s, stalls Is fid; children as usual.