GRAND THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 6

GRAND THEATRE.

•'•MANHATTAN.” AND FUR YOU, MY BOY. ' I'or the benefit of L! 10 children who have not had an opportunity of seeing “Captain Blood,;' the great picture from the story by Rafael Sabatmi, the management of the Grand Theatre have decided to give a special screening of this picture at the matinee today. commecing at 1.30. “Manhattan. ' the star picture on the now programme, tells the story of Peter Minuil, a wealthy youug idler, who longs for romance and adventure. A newspaper headline, telling of a gang fight outside of Bud M’Ginnis’s pool room in Hell s Kitchen, arouses Peter’s interest. In another column he finds details of the fight of notorious Gentleman George, a safe blower sought by the police of four States. it dawns on Peter that the island of Manhattan is* fairly teeming with adventure and danger. lie arrays himself in an old suit of clothes and starts cheerfully for Hell’s Kitchen, determined to take a hand in anything that promises excitement. Bur everything is strangely still and orderly, and Peter, sadly disappointed. returns home. Back in bis own library. Peter is about to open his wall safe when lie hears the sharp command.. “Hands up.' He turns to face an automatic in the hands oi a cool young gunman who answers to the name of Spike, and belongs to M (iiunis’s • T am>. Minuil gels a bright Idea: he*" convinces Spike that lie is none other than Gentleman George, and suggests that they team up. Spike agrees, and lakes him back to Hell's TTitcheu. .Merc Peter moots Mary. Spike's sister. R is a case of love at first sight with both of them, and shortly afterwards. Mary promises to marry him. Bud M’Ginms. the sinister czar »f Hell’s Kitchen, claims Mary for his own, and threatens Peter with death, unless lie-clears out.

Peter decides to prepare to sivc l M’Ginn is the beating of bis life. \Vith - the toughest heavy-weight boxer and the best handler lie can find, lie bes tight. Peter persuades Mary and = Spike to leave tlie old life, and go 1 with him. Ho takes Mary to nis • palatial Fifth Avenue Jior.se, but Spike is eauligfc by M’Ginnis's gang anti ’ forced to reveal bis sisters wliere- ’ abouts. Bud orders his gunmen to *■ slioot the young millionaire on siglit. ' Learning of this, Alary slips away from tlie Minuifc mansion and returns to' Hell’s Kitchen. Peter follows as quickly ns he can. catches the gang . cbici in his own den, and gives him a , terrible trimming. A 'bullet- from L one of M’Giiyiis’s own gunmen, who . harbours an old grudge, removes the M’Ginnis menace for ever. Peter } takes Mary home to his Fifth Avenue , mansion to begin life all over again. Richard T>ix plays the part of Peter . Minuit, and Jacqueline Logan that of . Mary, and arc supported by a strong . cas t. .Few people ever realise that the i emotional reactions of a. father are i just as strong and vivid as those of a s mother, that the tie that binds a i mother to her boy is no whit stronger [ than the bond of sympathy- between father and son. The only difference « is that the father usually represses and conceals his emotions and does not let ; them come to the surface. But lie s feels them just as tensely and bis dcL gree of suffering in case of trouble . or misfortune to his boy is just as ; keen. “For Aon, My Boy." tlie second fea- • ture, is the story of a father’s sacrifice and the dire consequences that fol- : lowed an act. which bo at the lime thought was for the best in- res>. of lus motherless babe. But he was forced to stand at one side and see his boy grow to manhood without the r : ght to guide him. Tn the end. the boy receives the heritage of his birthright, and when the big crisis comes in his ! life he stands up to meet it in a manner 1 that sends a glow of pride to the father’s heart, and in part compensates for the suffering - and sacrifice tliat lie had gone through. Included in the cast are Louis Dean. Jean Armour. Matty Jlrubdrt. Ben Lew in. Schuyler White, Glad vs Grainger, Franklin Hanna. and Scott Hinclmer. The Grand Orchestra, under Mr Harold Beck, provides a programme of delightful incidental music. 1 I