TREAT FOR CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 77, 23 December 1932, Page 12

TREAT FOR CHILDREN

< Smith Family Entertainment PUNCH & JUDY, PICTURES It would not be Christmas unless tlie little ones were given a good time. A Smith Family effort, made possible by Mr. W. R. Kemball granting the use of two of his theatres yesterday, gave pleasure to some 3000 children. The little ones began to gather at the lie Luxe and Paramount Theatres long before 8 o’clock yesterday morns ing, and by the time the doors opened' there were long queues outside each theatre. It really did not matter a great deal which theatre was favoured for the fare was precisely the same at both, even if the order was varied, so as to give the requisite time for the changeover. As each child entered the theatre he or she was presented with an icecream. Then the gates of glory opened. There was the ancient and honourable drama of Punch and Judy, with its shrieks of laughter and floods of tears, its pitiful whackings, and strange caterwaulings. which never fail to appeal to the child life of any country. This dear old comedy-drama was presented to the accompaniment of riotous laughter. a tribute to the actors behind the puppets. Then there was a funny “Our Gang” picture, and a real Wild Wester, showing Buck Jones in the terrifying and shuddering melodrama, “Shadow Ranch.” Nor did the fun cease at this. A real Father Christmas made his appearance down a real chimney, and informed the children that as he could not visit each one. separately lie had arranged that each little boy and girl should receive a present at. the door as they passed out. This was simply splendid. but the fun was not all over. There was also a little vaudeville entertainment, and a lovely but recalcitrant donkey, whose antics caused roars of lionest-to-goodness laughter. Tlie effort was wholly successful, and the Smith Family, Mr. AV. R. Kemball, the theatre managers and staffs, and all others who assisted, reserve to be complimented on the organisation of the best children’s Christmas party of its kind ever given in Wellington.