“LONDON” IS FROM PEN OF THOMAS BURKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18187, 21 June 1927, Page 7

“LONDON” IS FROM PEN OF THOMAS BURKE.

DOROTHY GISH PLAYS IN FASCINATING PICTURE. Xo more entertaining: and engrossing: tnotion picture than. “ London," the big: production heading the current programme at Everybody’s Theatre, has been seen in Christchurch for a long time. It is a delightful photo-play. It has about it an atmosphere of romance, an element of surprise and whirlwind of action which cannot fail to please. It grips the attention from the beginning and holds it until the final fadeout. Thomas Burke wrote the story, but it is not the usual type of Burke story. It has the Burke touch: it is endowed with all the charm and artistry, all the mystery and intrigue inseparable from the pen of the famous author, but it has more in it that strikes a new note; it covers new ground. Burke was a. specialist in. tales that breathed of the East. He painted vivid pictures of deep-dyed villains with almond eyes, of Cantonese hordes and Oriental intrigue. “ London ” is a fanciful tale apart from the usual run. It is a fascinating and kaleidoscopic drama. It is brimful of interest. Produced by the man responsible for “ The Only Way,” “ Xell <lwyn ” and “Carnival.” the picture is one that holds an appeal for every taste. It has an absorbing story to tell. It takes one on a tour of London, it reveals a. thousand historic sites. There

is the atmosphere of London about the story. One sees St James Palace, Rotten Row, the Houses of Parliament and Charlie's Bar. One sees, too, many famous people. Dorothy Gish is the leading player in this wonderful picture which epitomises London life, and throws aside the veil of distance from London’s streets and teeming crowds. Miss Gish plays a difficult role, but she plays it with all the finesse and artistry that characterise the work of the talented actress. Her work is polished and clever, she makes of her part, not merely a success but an emphatic triumph. She has been seen in many great pictures, but few, if any, have been as good as this, her latest release. There are thrills aplenty in this charming picture, and there are comedy and pathos, too. It is a picture of many parts. Miss Gish sees to that. Her winsome manner, her wistful smile and delightful personality have magnetic qualities. Afelqui Millar, the famous dramatic actor, plays opposite her. His work is good enough to be notable even beside That of such a gifted actress as Miss Gish. “ The Gilded. Butterfly,” the second attraction on the programme, is a story of a girl who lived a. false life and learned her lesson. She was a good girl, but she had been brought up in an atmosphere of false luxury. She had been told that people were judged by what they seemed to be and not really by what they were. She believed jit, and she put this philosophy into practice. She seemed to be a very happy and vfl-y wealthy young woman, but in reality she was very unhappy and very poor. She bluffed her way for a, time. Many men fell in love with her, but they were men unworthy of her love, they were false fellows. They had wealth but they were without morals, lohe waited for a real love, and one day she found it. But then came the big crash. It had to come, there was no escaping it. She had realised that from the first, but that it should come at such a time was most unfortunate for the little gilded butterfly. However, everything came out all right in the end. There is an excellent supporting programme, and the musical items are delightfully played by Everybody's Select Orchestra