THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1956, 22 May 1920, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

JOHN D. O'HARA IN " LIGHTNIV." It would appear that the J. C. Williamson f Lightnin'" season at the Theatre Royal, commencing Wednesday next, will be a successful one. So much has been heard «>f the excellence of the play and the wonderful performance ,of Mr John P. O'Hara as Lightnin', that miblie interest is keen in the coining production. Of the principals in "Lightnin'" the Melbourne "Argus" critic writes:--"As Lightnin' Bill, Mr John 1). O'Hara, who has come to Australia for Iftis production, was splendidly placed. His quiet methods conveyed the point of every jest and exaggeration. His twinkling humour held the audience in thorough sympathy, and the pathos of his character »nd of his position in the more dramatic situations of the play was thoroughly appreciated. Such work is highlv welcome. Miss l>ran:i Wilson, as Margaret Davis, a dashing dancer, who is seeking a divorce. unused everybody by her comedy. For this part she assumes a languid voice, and casts bewitching eyes at most of the men, including the judge. The character of the judge js consistent In its comedy and its serious moments, and Mr Frederick Esmelton did pood work in the part. The judge ends. like the one in 'Trial by Jury," by marrying the plaintiff. Mr Hubert Toms, as John Marvin, was an accomplished juvenile lead. Miss Marion Marcus'Clarke as Mrs Jones was a comfortable 'mother,' ami a good mate for Lightnin". and she got full value from the pathos. The other newcomer was Mr John Deck as Nevin Blodgett, the sheriff, who has to be the victim in some borderline comedy when he is trying to arrest Marvin. Of those already known. Miss l.izctte Parkes was a charming Mildred Buckley (the adopted daughter), Mr lan Maclaren and Mr Arthur Cornell made the schemers. Thomas and Hammond, believable, and Mr Fred Cambourne was amusing as an old hotel loafer. A number of others Jn a long cast did good work. Enthusiasm continued when the curtain fell at a late hour, and Mr O'Hara could not escape without making a speech. 'Lightnin' ' must be chronicled as one of the biggest acting successes seen here for many years." The box plans for the season (six nights) will be opened at The Bristol on Monday morning uext. STRAND THEATRE. "Let's Elope," an excellent story of married life, is the star feature on the new bill at the Strand Theatre this week. Eloise Farrington is the somewhat neglected wife of an author, who, when he is at work, forgets that she is lonely, and that ]iis course forces her to seek elsewhere for entertainment. She becomes friendly with Darrell McKnight, a susceptible young man. /.s Farrington's habit oC neglecting his wife •Joes not improve with time. Fioise plans im elopement with Darrell. Nora Gail, the fiancee of Darrell, hears of the affair, and she promptly notifies Farrington. They iigree upon a plan by which they will not only have some amusement at the expense of the elopers, but bring to a realisation «jf the hideousness of their conduct. Farrington bursts in upon his wife and Darrell just as they are about to elope, and obliges Ihem, by "the display of a revolver, to accompany bin} to his bungalow, where he does his literary work. Incidents follow in quick succession, and, as Nora appears on Hie scene, Eloise begins to suspect that her husband has planned an elopement with that woman. Darrell proves himself a cad, mid Eloise wearies of him. She sends for her relative, a bishop, to help her out of her difficulty, and when she learns the real value of the man with whom she purposed to elope she rather enjoys Darrell's marriage 10 Nora, which follows. Eloise discovers that she had misjudged her husband, who is devotedly attached to her, and, with Darrell out of the way, they enter upon Hieir second honeymoon. There is a strong programme of supporting pictures.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Next week's programme nt the Crystal Palace will be headed by "The Final Closeup," a Paramount feature starring dainty Shirley Mason and adapted from Royal Brown's story of the same name. Nora Nolan, an employee in a New York department store, who is urgently ill need of a ■vacation, unexpectedly receives, anonymously, S2OO through the post. She immediately lakes advantage of her newly-acquired ■wealth and goes to a fashionable seaside resort. The money has been sent by a sympathiser, Jimmy Norton, a young reporter whose wealthy father would not nave anything to do with him unless he ■went into the contracting business. Jimmy olso goes to Winchester-by-tlie-Sea in a baseball team, and a society girl, Emily Wcsterfclt Moore, falls violently in love ■with him. Emily recognises that in Nora she has a rival, and does all she can to humiliate her before the other hotel guests. From this point to the "final close-up" the Mory speeds forward with a chain of exciting events. A dramatic study of heredity and hate, told in moving incident in "Blood «T His Fathers." is the other star attraction id! the bill. Crane Wilbur is featured as ■•he young man who struggles against his inherited vice, and, ill the end, is saved by the girl he loves. Two comedies, "With a <iirl at Satke" and "The Garage" (a Fatty Arbuckle featuret. a Topical Budget, and a Dominion travelogue complete the bill. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A story with a very unusual theme is presented at the Queen's Theatre to-day. It deals with life in old Kentucky, and the plot hinges on the fact that there is an old law obtaining which says that any person who is. by universal vote, considered obnoxious to the community may be sold l<y the sheriff at auction, and has to work for his purchaser for a year. The butt of Hie niggers, and the jest of the whites, was Hie shifty-eyed vagrant who stood on the block to be sold at auction. Though he was ;i white man. the highest and only bid was one dollar—anil a girl's bid at that. She only bought him out of pity. She didn't know he would become her husband. Warren Kerrigan, as the despairing young lawyer who has been brought to the depths through drink, gives one of the finest impersonations of his career in this feature, which was made by the Parnlla Company. Other films on the excellent supporting programme are Chapter 12 of "The Man of Might.' - Pathe Nrns i American i. and Queen's Pictorial Hudgrt (Fnglishi. On Mondav a special feature. "Laughing Bill Hyde." will be shown. It is the story of nn escaped convict, who. through his tender heart and chivalrous notions, makes good and becomes a useful member of the community. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Marv Pickford will be seen for the last limi this evening in "The Hoodlum" at the Sydenham Theatre. Oil Monday. Tuesday, find Wednesday next the leading features of the programme will be a comedy-drama • nlitled "Pa\ Me," with Dorothy Phillips in Ihe leading role, and "A Pair of Sixes," Ftarring Tavlor Ho lons.

j NORMA TALMADGE IN "POPPY." As the final scenes were taken of Norma Talmadge's production of "Poppy," made from Cynthia Stockley's fascinating story of the love-starved South African girl, the conviction was hammered home that this jieature photo-play is destined to create a [sensation surpassing that of the novel. From l producer to ''props," enthusiasm about the I studios for this picture reached unpreee- , dented heights. Of all the popular novels I that have been visualised it is doubtful, if I any possessed anything like the potential j qualities of "Poppy." Romance, action, surprise, suspense and all the component parts of drama vie for supremacy on every page, land, in transferring to the screen, the exasperation of the director lias been to | determine what to omit, so bountiful is the material. That Norma Talmadge, in her depiction of Cynthia Stockley's heroine, Poppy Deslin, the child of Nature, over whose (rials and tribulations a whole world has wept, achieves the greatest triumph of her illustrious career, was predicted by those privileged to see the first running of the completed portion of the picture. Miss Talmadge has grasped with almost uncanny appreciation the author's conception, and, imbued with the spirit of the story and a sympathetic feeling.for its principal figure, she has given a characterisation which will add immeasurably to her reputation. As is usual at this theatre, the supporting films are of a very high order, and include a Patiie Gazette, Topical Budget, and another of the magnificent Chester Scenic series. As a picture, "Poppy" lends itself in a peculiar manner to beautiful musical accompaniment, and the Liberty Orchestra will take full advantage of the fad, with specially selected music, in addition patrons will again have the pleasure of hearing Mr Arthur Macdonald, who made such a tremendous hit on his previous appearance. The box plan is open at the theatre. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Another of I). \V. Griffith's famous masterpieces will be screened at Everybody's Theatre next week. The title of the film is "True-Heart Susie," featuring the usual Griffith stars. Lilian Gish, Clarine Seymour and Robert Ilarron. The story concerns a plain girl. It tells of the everlasting struggle between the silken-ankled wielder of the powder pull' and lip stick, and the simple little true hearted country girl whose cheeks have never known the touch of rouge and whose eyelids have never felt the touch of the charcoal pencil. The photo-play portrays emotion in a manner not excelled in any previous screen production, and there is a new style of serious comedy that provokes laughter, yet has a lingering seriousness that appeals to one. "True-Heart Susie" is a big human picture that has a lot of laughs and heart aches, and a very happy ending. Lilian Gish is the country girl. Clarine Seymour the art girl, and Robert Harron the boy. The supporting programme, a long and well varied one, will include the Paramount comedydrama, "Hayfoot, Strawfoot," starring Charles Bay. This Dim is said to be a typical Bay picture, combining comedy and romance. The musical programme to be given by Everybody's Select Orchestra will contain several of the latest compositions. The box plan is at The Bristol, and reserved seats may be booked there or at the theatre by 'phoning 492r>. GRAND THEATRE. Christehurch has been treated, during the last few days, to a boom of "Charlie, the prince of comedians," as played by a splendid impersonator of the original. Leonard Doogood. Since bis arrival from Lyltelton on Thursday, "Charlie" has been constantly seen on our streets, visiting business premises and, generally, engaging hi all those pursuits most becoming to this most distinguished visitor. This, of course, is but to herald the approach of the great comedy, "The Law-Dodger," which will lie shown at the Grand for the first time today. "The Law-Dodger," it may be noted,

I is the name of the picture, not of flcsh-and- , blood Charlie. To-day was tlic comedian's • Jjiisy day, and quite a number of public | functions were indebted to him for his presence. Not the least strenuous of his occupations was the dropping of pamphlets from an airplane into the Square. It is anticipated that huge audiences will be drawn to the Grand Theatre throughout the week by "The Law-Dodger," which is a New Zealandproduced comedy of unusual merit. Bessie Love will be seen to-night for the last time in "A Fighting Colleen." A special feature announced for next week will be one of the finest of the Sessue Uayakawa pictures, "The Man Beneath." An uproarious Sunshine comedy, "Are Married Policemen Safe?" will also be shown. Seats may he booked at The Bristol or the theatre. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House presents a bright and varied bill this week, of which the out-' standing features are the Ccvcnc Troupe (sensational wire-walkers), Fuller's Nine Wonders (marvellous child performers), and Louis London (the favourite entertainer). Also showing are the following* artists: — Zoe Sisters, Paul and Connors, Joe 'League, Kitcb and Klil'tie, Tilton and West, and Maggie Buckley. On Monday evening Walter George and his clever ".Sunshine Players" will open an acceptable return season.