AMUSEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1923, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

— -O' OPERA HOUSE. “One Exciting Night.” —From the beginning of pictures, the black-faced comedian has been struggling for a place in the films. Failure lias followed failure except in minor parts, until the coming of Romeo AV ashington in “One Exciting Night,” which opens at the Opera House at the special matinee on Monday. Ihe greatest effort to bring out a black-faced comedian for the films was made with the late Bert Williams. A fortune was spent in making one picture after another, but never once did the famous actor ever give the true breath of comedy to his shadow characters. 'Die failure of Bert Williams, whose pantomime on the stage was so famous, started the legend it was impossible to popularise a black-faced comedian.. 1). W. Griffith has made his reputation bv making legends rather than observing them. When he selected the story Exciting Night,” Mr Griffith had Porter Strong in mind for the central comedy character. As Romeo, Porter Strong reaches heights of comedy, with the appeal of a true human being. He awakens pathos as well as laughter, and the audience laughs with him throughout. This

sympathy is the small margin by which Strong has triumphed in his efforts to make a black-faced comedian a success on the stage. Strong was previously known as the best “coon shouter,” and won first prize at a great public shouting contest in Madison Square Garden, New York. These at the’ Opera House on Monday and Tuesday next, commencing at a eleven reels of comedy will be shown special matinee on Monday at 2 p.m. Pollard’s orchestra will play a selection of special music synchronising with the picture. Prices 2/2 and 1/8. Box plan now open at The Bristol. TOWN HALL. At the Town Hall to-night, Universal’s superb comedy drama, “Putting It Over,” starring Richard Talmadge, will be shown for the last time. Supporting this star attraction an excellent Century comedy, “The Fresh Kid,” a two-reel gloom-chaser, featuring the boy with the most freckles in the world, Johnny Fox. Sunday Night.—-At the Town Hall on Sunday night at a grand benefit picture entertainment, the star attraction to be shown will be “Honest Hutch,” Goldwyn six-reel comedy drama featuring Will Rogers, with a splendid supporting programme. 1923 REVEILLE. THE FINAL PERFORMANCE. To-night the last opportunity to sue the “1923 Reveille” will be given to Greymouth people, and those travelling by the trains from Blackball, Rewanui, Dunollie, and other stations on route to those places. “Reveille” has put up'a. record here, being more and more popular as the season advanced. The. show itself, rather than its good object, has been the draw. Mr. Lints is a genius in his art as producer. He has improved .the dancing technique of the 209 performers fully 100 per cent. They would be a draw now in any city. Tonight is a unique one in the season. The streamers for it have arrived from Christchurch. For the benefit of those who wish to witness the performance after 9 o'clock, a special programme has been arranged.' Of this final performance the “Star” says“ Every seat in the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, upstairs and down, was booked for the fifteenth and final performance of “Our Reveille.” Besides the reserved seats the family • circles and boxes were tracked to the utmost. The audience was, for Christchurch, unusually demonstrative, and the closing scene, ■when from the stage and the auditorium the performers threw coloured streamers in every direction, was one of the-brightest seen in the theatre.'' There are 27 numbers, the cream of the repertoire, in to-night’s performance. T’he box plan is at the Bristol, so book early.