AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16841, 22 May 1920, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

« J. C. WILLIAMSON COMEDY COMPANY. "LIGHTNIN"." The appearance of tho J. C. Williamson Comedy- Urania Company, with so distinguished ail actor us .Mr John D. O'Hara at the head, is rccognised as a theatrical happening mii". r i out of the common, and entertainment oi a high order is anticipated in the performance of "Lightmn'," the plav in which the company will appear. Mr W incbcll Smith, ;t \vcli-:t7iO"wii ura-iuatist, ar.d Mr Frank B;icon, an actor, collaborated in tho writing of ••'Lightnin'," which is to be seen here for tho first time on Wednesday ne:;t. Tho title is the nickname of Bill .lones, u former Amcricua soldier, who, in laic mid-dle-age, is leading a- comfortable life in the Calivada. Hotel, which is owned by liis wile. The hotel is on-the border of California and Nevada, a portion of the building being iu each State, as women wuo are putting in the six months' residence in Nevada, which is a necessary preliminary to obtaining a quick and easy divorce, are ab.c to stay at the place, and allow it to be understood that t.hey are enjoying a holiday in the health-giving climate of California. Several performers make their initial baw in the play. The critics say that Mr John D. O'Hara, in the name part, proves u reaily great character actor, who gives Bill's quaintnesss anl lova-bleness Jheir full dramatic value. Miss Diana Wilson makes a picturesque figuro as a petitioner in tho divorce court at I'eno. Other newcomers are Mr Robert Toms, as the_ hero, and Mr Frederick Eamclton, as a Nevada judge. Miss LizcUe I'arljes's charming ner.sonalitv fits admirably tho character of Mildred Buckley, Mr lan Maclaren is a clear-cut Raymond Thomas, and the other members of a large cast, including Messrs ' John Beck, Arthur Cornell, and Thomas I Lloyd, and Misses Marion, Marcus Clarke, and Alma Rock Phillips, are said to be exceptionally well placed. The box plans for the six nights' season will be opened at Tho Bristol on Monday morning. OPERA HOUSE. The- Opera House was again packed in all parts last night, when the cv or.t vaudeville programme was repealed. The same bill will bD given this afternoon and tonight. CRYSTAL PALACE. v A programme of generous dimensions will ba provided at Crystal Palace next week, including two star dramatic features, and a Fatty Arbuckle comedy. The first of the star dramas calling for special mention a Paramount feature, entitled, "The Final I Close-Up," which was adapted from Royal Brown's story of tho same name, which appeared a fe)v . months ago in the "Red Book," one of tho most widely-read fiction magazines. It concerns the adventures of Nora. Nolan, who works in tho basement of Featherstono's, a largo New York department store. Ou ono of New York's hottest days, in order to get a little rest, she liretends to faint, and is carried np to tho rest room. The doctor prescribes a vacation, but. Ncra, ha-ving only four dollars and_ some cents, is np against it. Jimmi-o Norton, a reporter, has been sent out to write a story on how the heat is affecting tho residents. He sees Nora's predicament, and writes a story about her, but is promptly fired by his editor, because in his story he shows up Featherstono's, which is the paper's biggest, advertiser. Jiminie sympathises with Nora, and sends her 200 dollars, which his father, a wealthy contractor. had said .would be tho last cent he would give hint until ho mended his ways and started in the contracting business. Nora, not knowing from whence the money came, goes to Wincbester-By-thc-Sea to have a good time on the monej-. Jimmio goes to the same resort to n'nv in a ball fe;iyii. From the time the lii'lc shop girl arrives at the big hotel, until tho "final close-uu" occurs, there isn't a dull mom n ut in the stoT. The second feature. "Tho Blood of His Fathers." is described »9 a dramatic study of heredity and hate, told in moving incident, and filled with .fusnen'c. The story is told in a nro'oirue laid in Civil War time, and iu four acts in the present, and Crane "Wilbur, the iT-incioal actor, in three distinct roles — Morgan Gray a« a younc run, an ojd nara'vtic, and finally a« Abel Grey—l« riven n. wonderful opno-fnnify f"r fhe dipnlay of his versatility. The comedy element in the nrrmramme is adequate'v- suooli»d bv the Fatty Arbuckle, in his lot«t, and. bv recounts. fur>nio=t production, entitled. "The Gnrasre." which is nroductivo of thirty minutes' continuous mirth. LIBERTY THEATRE. Speaking of "Poppy," which opens its eeaeon at the Liberty to-day, Norma Ta!madge has the following to say:—"ln my career before tho camera, I have never experienced such a fascinated interest iu a character as I have felt for tho pathetic little child of destiny, Poppy, the heroine of Cynthia Stockley's famous book. When I first read tho book I did what every other girl has done, cried myself almost sick, but it wasn't until I got down to - studying in dead earnest for screen pur--1 poses that I appreciated what a wonderful i creature the novelist hael Tho ' more I studied Poppy the more I admired the breadth of understanding of the author. Slie penetrated to the very depths of a womanVi acul, and employed material there obtainwl in a, manner that is positively awe-inspiring." With such material to work on, it is little wonder that Miss Talmadge has made such a sensation in this picture. As is usual at this theatre, the supporting films arc cf a very high order, - and include a "Patbe Gazette," "Topi- ■ cal Budget," and another of the magnificent Chester scenic series. As a picture "Poppy" lends itself in a peculiar man- ' ner to beautiful musical accompaniment, and ths Liberty Orchestra, will tako full advantage .of tho fact with specially-select-ed 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 st The Bristol till noon, and afterwards at the theatre. GRAND THEATRE. The enterprising manager of the Grand Theatre has attracted considerable attention during the past few days with hi 3 unique methods of giving publicity to the programme of the current week. "Charlie the Law Dodger," a New Zealand produced comedy of unusual merit, will be the attraction to-day, and capacity houses should be the result. To-day at noon "Charlie" (Leonard Doogood, a splendid impersonator of the great comedian, Charlie Chaplin) will fly over Cathedral • square in one of the Avro acropknes, and drop his "Message from the Skies." In some of these messages there will be a voucher which will entitle the finder to the sum of one guinea if it is presented at the Grand Theatre. In addition to "Charlie the Law Dodger," little Bessie Love will be screened for tho last time in a delightful Irish-American comedy-drama., "A Eighteen Colleen." The sensational Sunshine comedy,"Rcaring Lions end Wedding Bells," will be screened also. On Monday Se3sue Hayakawa, the celebrated Japanese screen artist, will be seen in his great success, ' "The Man Beneath," as the supporting picture to "Charlie the Law Dodger."' Another cf the uproarious Sunshine comedies, "Ar? Married Policemen Safe?" will be a featur? of tha pro-, gramme. A t seats will be in demand pat-' rons are advised to book at The Britol, or at the theatre (phone 2331).

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The ::cw programme at tlio Queen's Theatre io-adv \. 1.l bo "One JJollur Uicl," starring Waircn J. Tho story concerns ioby, a village character addicted to drink, who is urr.a-ned under au ancient, law and auctioned cu into servitude- tor om j year. Virginia Dare, out' oi pity, bids one , lie! tar for lum, ar.d takes hiui to her j father's lurni. Toby overcomes his failing, ana Virginia begins to take "moro than a passing interest in linn." A messenger comes for hici to go back to tho country, lor one of his old-time friend's children is verv sick, and is cailing for 'loby. On the wav back his travelling companion has a violent quarrel with an ofiicer of the Government, in which tho ofticcr is morta.lv wounded. It later transpires that the deed was committed with a knife that ;s known to be the property of Toby, and lie, of course, is arrested. He finally gets out of his trouble, but the way it is told is very interesting entertainment. The production is from ~<ho "Paralta" studios. In support will be screened the "Queen's Pictorial Budget." a "Pathe Ga'/.ette," and episode 12 oi "The Man of Might." On Monday an additional attraction will be "Laughing Bill Hyde," a ltex Beach story. "TRUE HEART SUSIE." Another ol D. W. Griffith's famous masterpieces is to be screened next week at , Everybody's Theatre. It is entitled, ! Heart, Susie," and features Lilian Gish, , Clarine Seymour, and Robert Harron. Ihe j story tcl'.s of the everlasting struggle between tho silkcn-ankled wiclder of tho pow- { tier-puff, and the simple, truc-heairted , countrv girl' sweetheart. In, it emotion is portrayed ill a way never before attempted | in a screen production, and there is a new i style oi serious comedy, that while provoking | laughter «t-the immediate moment, has a lingering seriousness that cxcites and appea.s and remains in the msxnory. These fragments of comedy, will probably be enjoved by every person who eocs th© picture. Lilian Gish is the country Clarine Sevruour, the art girl, and Robcr* Harron the bov. The supporting programme is a long and varied one, and includes tho Paramount comedy-drama, "Hayfoot, Strawfoot," starring Charles Ray. It is said to be a typical Ray picture, full of comedy and heart interest. The musical programme to bo given by Everybody s , "Select" Orchestra, contains many of tho j latest selections. The box plan is at The | Bristol, and reserved seats may be booked there, or at the theatre, telephone 4925. j STRAND THEATRE. A new programme will bo presented at the Strand Theatre to-day. Tho star item will be "Let's £k>po," a screen adaptation of the eutertaining comedy, "The Naughty Wife," which had such a splendid run in London. In tho film presentation Hiss Marguerite Clark will tako the leading nart. and her interpretation is claimed to be very delightful. Supporting pictures will include a Mack ; Sennett comedy. a travel picture, "Weavers in the Tropics." and views of the recent Davis Cup tennis contest. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Two sessions will be held at the Sydenham Picture Theatre to-day, 2.30 and 7 p.m. The principal film will be "The Hoodlum," featuring Mary Pickford. COMPETITIONS CONCERT. A very fine demonstration concert was given at the Theatre Royal last night, the prcgramme consisting of a selection of tho star items given during the course of the rcccut Competitions. Among the items which were received with . hearty anplauso • were a contralto pong, "Break, Break," by Mollie Allan, an Irish song, "Mooting of tho Waters, by Irene Hornib'ow, a recitation (New Zealand author), "Tho Old Place.," by Frank Bown, a Shakesperian recitation, "Taming of the Shrew," by Esther Devereux, an nocratic soio. "Ah" Fors e Lui," by Mrs Haywood, and a story without words, "At tho Drapery Store," by Miss and Mr Carter. Another demonstration concert will be given to-night. Mr W. Harrington Mi'.ler, an ex-New Zeal""dor. who was for poup year=_ ono of thp chief dircetors of the motion picture buai'nes* in Australasia, writes from London to. - a Christchurch friend to say that when Mr E. J. Carroll, of Sydney, returns from South Africa (where he is directing Sir Hairv Lauder's tour), they will probably onerate together in London, and nresent i\ big dramatic production in tho "West End early next year. If you liavo .a cold in the head uso the Nazol Inhaler. A few sniffs and you notice a marked relief. Keep it up and the cold soon vanishes. ■ *