BIG ATTRACTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 14

BIG ATTRACTION

“MOTHER MACHREE” AT THE STRAND

‘'Mother Machree,” the story of the sweet-faced little Irish mother and the sacrifice she made for her son, is a picture of considerable appeal. Last evening at the Strand, where this film is now in its second week, another large audience was attracted.

In the leading role Ellen McHugh is responsible for an excellent characterisation. She plays the part of the young Irish woman who, having lost her husband in a storm off the Irish coast, goes to America with her young son to try and make a fresh start in life. On the way they'fall in with a troupe of circus players, and big Boze, the genial giant of Kilkenny, promtly loses his heart to her. %le follows her to New York and offers marriage, but Ellen, her mind full of her late husband and little son, refuses. She dearly wished her son to be educated, to “make a gentleman like his father,” and she manages to get him accepted at Miss Van Studdiford s aristocratic school, but only on condition that she does not reveal to the boy that she is of the servant class. To keep up his school fees she joins the circus where Boze is employed, where she is recognised by her son when Miss Studdiford takes her pupils to the circus. Only on condition that she allows Miss Studdiford to adopt Brian is he allowed to remain at the school.

Years later Brian and his mother meet. Ellen has been employed for many years in the Cutting family as nurse, and it is to Ellen’s charge, that Brian has become engaged. She keeps the promise given to Miss Studdiford and does not reveal her identity. This Miss Studdiford does herself, however, when Brian is ordered overseas with the expeditionary force. Edith Cutting is quite content to call her old nurse mother, and both happily await the return of Brian and Boze, the latter also going overseas to look after Ellen’s boy.

Neil Hamilton is cast as Brian Mcllugli grown to manhood, and Phillippe de Lacey is the young Brian. Both give excellent characterisations. Constance Howard, as Edith Cutting, makes a very winsome sweetheart.

With an Irish setting the picture is naturally rich in humorous situations, particularly in the early scenes where life in an Irish village is faithfully depicted Upon Victor McLaglen, who plays the giant, and Ted McNamara, who is the Harpist of Wexford, the comedy work rests. It is even better than their work in "What Price Glory.”

Appropriate Irish music is played by the Strand Orchestra under Eve Bentley and contributes largely to the success of this popular feature. An atmosphere prologue by Mr. Birrell O’Malley, who sang the song “Mother Machree” with nice expression and excellent effect, was also warmly received. A strong supporting programme including comedies and a Strand Magazine also adds to the enjoyment of the programme. United Artists have received a cable frqm the New York office, stating that three of the ornrnisation’s productions are screening simultaneously on Broadway. The pictures named are Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill. Junr.’. “Ramona” with Dolores Del Rio. and John Barrymore’s “Tempest.” All are attracting big crowds, and “Ramona” has already established a house record, formerly held by “Sorrell and Son.”