MARY PICKFORD IN “ MY BEST GIRL ” AT THE QUEEN’S.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18545, 20 August 1928, Page 7

MARY PICKFORD IN “ MY BEST GIRL ” AT THE QUEEN’S.

Amid the flood of new productions, •uperspectacles. would-be epics and the I like that have appeared on the screen! this season. “My Best Girl,. Mary Pick-j ford’s new comedy romance, is welcome. ] The picture, which will open at the Queen's Theatre to-day. can best be described as “ delightful.” in the fullest sense of the word. I nlike so manv recent film dramas. “My Best Girl makes no attempt to pretentiousness, nor at imposing <and hollow* magnificence. Tt is purely a simple, human, absorbing story of a shy little girl employee in a “ nickel-and-dime ” store, who falls in love with the son of the millionaire owner of the establishment. This simplicity and human quality are what make the real charm of the picture. The essential realism of the characters make them life-like and likeable. They look and think and act ordinary people would do under similar circumstances. The more nearly amo tion ,'picture reaches the goal of absolute naturalness, the more nearly it reaches the hearts of the audience. And that is what “ Mv Best Girl ” does. From a comedy angle, too. the picture is noteworthy. It is. despite the pathos of some of the later scenes, by far the funniest production of Miss Pickford’s career, and confirms her already high rank as a comedienne. After seeing Charles Rogers as the leading roan, one can readily predict.a remarkable future for this coming celebrity. In “ My Best Girl ” he has his first real opportunity to show the stuff of which he is made, and there is a sincerity and boyish appeal about his work that entirely justify the star’s choice of him for the role- Hobart Bos worth gives one of his notable characterisations as the boy’s father, and invests the part ol the millionaire store-owner with a

well-nigh perfect realism. . Much of the laughter in the picture cap be attributed to the excellent comedy cast, including Mack Swain, Lucien Littlefield. Sunshine Hart and Carmelita Geraghty.

A, surprise treat of romance and thrills, generously spiced with laughter, will-be .the second feature offered, when “ Partners Again—with Potash apd Pediputter ” is presented with George Sidney and Alexander Carr as auto mobile distributors who never distributed a car. Laughter in its many phases is the chief accessory that goes with the car troubles of these jovial jesters. Thrills centred around Car

demonstrations, runaway motors, a police chase, and an aeroplane that kisses the clouds and then nose-dives to the earth, are revealed in convincing earnestness. The entire- thrill elements have the effect of making the two frantic partners more frantic in their efforts to conquer space on land and in the air. The supporting programme includes three comedies and a Fox News.

Seats may be reserved at Webley’s or by telephone at the theatre.