AMUSEMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1778, 3 July 1926, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

“SPORTING LIFE,

A skilful blencoing of, melodrama, sophisticated comedy, spectacular scenes, and. unusual photographic effects has made “'Sporting iJLrife,” 'Maurice Tourneur’s Universal-Jewel produdction, one of the outstanding pictures of the season. “ Sporting .Lite ” was shown at 'the Empire Theatre last night, and held its audience charmed and thrill-bound from opening flash to the ending 'title. The picture will be screened again this (Saturday) evening at the 'Empire. Tourneur, starting with a big cast of capable players, many elaborate settings, and possibilities for many spectacular scenes, had much to work with, and, blending tjiese qualities with the skilful direction for which he has been noted so long, has made a thoroughly entertaining and appealing ph#t.o-play. Mach of the story is frank" Melodrama, and with it Tourneur ha s combined a quality with which melodrama does not always go hand in hand-r-reality. After all, the newspapers and everyday life are full of melodrama, and 'theatrical experience has proved that that is the most popular of all types of drama. Bert Lytell and Marian Nixon make a great pair of lovers, Bert as the dashing young English lord who wins the reputation as the most extravagant man in London, and Marian as the sweet, innodent English girl. Others in the cast, all of whom give creditable performances, are Cyril Chadwick, Paulette'iDuval, Charles Delaney, Geo. Seigmann, Ena Gregory, Kathleen Clifford, and others. 'Curtis 'Benton adapted. the famous play to the screen.

“ THE MAKING OF O’MALLEY.” Another big First National picture, with Milton Sills in the stellar role, has been secured for the Empire Theatre, and will be screened there on Tuesday evening. The coming picture is “ The Making of O’Malley,” an adaptation ofl Gerald Beaumont’s Red Book magazine story of the same title. It is Sills’ first starring picture, and is a vivid, heart-gripping story of a New York policeman and a society heiress, especially fitted for the stalwart dramatic vigour of the star—outstanding exponent of two-fisted roles. Supporting Sills is an excellent cast headed by Dorothy Mackiaill. pthiers in the cast include Thomas Carrigan, who gainedl a high place in,'filmdom as Nick Carter in the detective series; ‘Helen Rowland, six year old screen actress; Claude King, Warner Richmond, Julia Hurley, Allen Brander, Charles Graham, Nell Craig, and Jack da Lacey. A large part of the picture was photographed on the streets of New York, where Sills, who plays the role of a policeman, is shown actually engaged in directing New York’s street traffic.

WEDNESDAY. “THE MONSTER.” Lon Chaney’s latest picture for Metro-Goldiwyn is “The Monster,” a mystery melodrama with Johnny Arthur and Gertrude Olmsted in the supporting cast, will be screened at the Empire Theatre next Wednesday. Lon Chaney of late has become famous through his work in “He Who Gets Slapped,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” It is due to his genius that these pictures have gained him a place in the hearts of the picture-going public, and which give him an even greater subject upon which to work. He is cast as Dr. Ziska, a mad surgeon in charge of a sanitarium. From this you can gain sopie idea of the vast scope that is open for Chaney to work upon. You can see him in your mind’s eye bending over his victim, his lips parted in a self-satisfied grin, his eyes narrowed to pin points, his shoulders hunched, his hands hanging limp and claw-like. Then again we see him. this time as the Dr. Ziska welcoming his unwilling guests . and victims of his fiendish operations. Johnny Arthur and Gertrude Olmsted are also featured.