AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18572, 26 November 1920, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

NORMA TALMADGE AT THE LIBERTY THEATRE TO-MORROW. Norma Talmadge, the great screen dramatic star, is said to reach tho zenith of her wonderiul photo-play career in the picturisation ol' Leroy Scott's famous novel. “ A Daughter of Two Worlds,” which will receive its initial presentation at the Liberty Theatre to-morrow. The fiLm is acclaimed a superlative First National production, in six reels, and ia Miss Talmadge’s first production r for that film company. ‘“A Daughter of Two Worlds” is a story that fcompels attention during every moment of its presentation. At one moment are pictured low life scenes and incidents of a dance hall, and in the next the audience is transferred to a fashionable boarding school and to society environment. Miss Talmadge again shows herself to be tho foremost actress of the screen. She portrays (he rolo of tho daughter of the dance hall Iceeper with remarkable naturalness and abandon, and later depicts with charm and graco the character of a. girl who assumes a place in higher Bocil life. She is about to marry the “ catch ” of the season, when she suddenly breaks away from this circle and returns to her old life in the underworld. “A Daughter of Two Worlds” is or (® Scott’s most famous stories of New York life, and the screen version is even more impressive, while it is, of course, enhanced by the delightful personality of Norma iaimadge. A splendid supporting cast includes Jack Crosby, Virginia Lee, William Shea, Frank Sheridan. Joe Smiley, and several others. The production is elaborately staged: and was directed by James Young. The Patne Gazette, Topical Budget, the fifth episode or “ Smashing Barriers,” “ Fists and Fodder (a comedy), and the Educational Weekly will also bo screened. The management of tne Liberty also announces the special and exclusive engagement of little Mkiy Cimmo. a wonderful sevan-year-old entertainer. I lus baby star is said to bfc a very. clever dancer, to possess an unusually pleasing voice, ana to bo a born comedienne.

THE FAMOUS N.Z. “ DIGGERS.” The New Zealand " Diggers ” are making a farewell tour of New Zealand under tn direction of Mr Victor Beck, and will appear at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night. luey will present an entirely new programme or musical gems, eccentric dances, burlesques, comedy ekotches, potted revue, and many novelties from their extensive repertoire. Included in the personnel of “The Diggers ” are tho inimitable Stan Lawson, “ the misleading lady ”; Frank Perkins, baritone; Tano Fama, comedian; Lon. Walker, dancer and light comedian, George Proctor, tenor; Donald . Stuart, comedian; and Gus Dawson, ragtime exponent and dancer. A select orchestra oi ten artists will be a special feature of -V? 9 Diggers’ ” entertainment. The Daily Mail,” Brisbane, says: “For a couple of hours or more ‘ Tho Diggers held their audience enchained with their eparku ng comedy and tuneful singing, so that the flight of time passed unheeded and all too quickly. ‘ The Diggers ’ are strong in voices, and the musical numbers, whether gay 01 serioue, are among the most pleasant items of the evening. Several clever burlesque scenes are provocative of unrestrained mirth, and tho remarkable female impersonations of Mr Stanley Lawson are delightful to see. *• The Diggers ” are under the management of Tano Fama, Frank Perkins and Stan Lawson. Bernard Cottier is musical director, and Tano Fama producer. The box plans are at The Bristol.

CRYSTAL PALACE. “ A Girl from Bohemia," with Irene Castle in the principal role, again delighted crowded attendances at the Grand Theatre yeßterday. The story centres . round the migration of an ultra-modern girl from the artistic Bohemia of Greenwich village (the American equivalent of the Quartiex Latin of Paris) to a small country American town. The plot is a good one; there is plenty of action, and, above all, there is the extraordinary personality of Irene Castle. •• Mary Ellen Comes to Town,” tho second star film, features that whirlwind of the screen, Dorothy Gish. /. . To-morrow’e programme will include. a romantio drama, “ Thou Art the Man,'’ . a film showing life and conditions in the diamond mines of South Africa. " Love in a Hurry," which depicts the adventures of a young American seeking romance in England, is another film of tho new programme. In “ Love in a Hurry,” Carlyle Blackwell, the Adonis of the screen, and Evelyn Gre«ly are the stars. The story has a prologue of the period of King Arthur, depicting the rescue of a lady fair by a gallant knight. The action then changes to the present period with a parallel incident and actions that show gallantry is as much practised to-day as in olden times. In 11 Thou Art the Man ” Robert Warwick, the heroic screen actor, is seen in a fine story of adventure end romance. LIBERTY THEATRE. There were "* again crowded attendances at the Liberty Theatre yesterday. The favourite screen actress, Anita Stewart, was the chiof attraction in her ! best photo-ploy, " Tho Fighting Shepherdess," a First National production. The programme also included a Topical Bud* eet, “ Petticoats and Pants,” a clever Christie comedy starring Bobbie Vernon and the Christie “ Follies ” girls, and a new episode of the Vitagraph serial, “Smashing Barriers.’’ Master Jack Watters, the gifted young soprano, sang " May morn ” (Denza), “ Tatters ” (Genald Lane) and “Tho Rosary” (Niven) with much success. The programme will be presented finally to-day. GRAND THEATRE. “ Argus,” the Alsace Vaudeville Company, and an excellent picture programme drew full attendances at the Grand Theatre yesterday. “ Argus" gave another interesting demonstration of his unusual powers, and all left the big theatre thoroughly mystified by what they had Been and heard. “ Argus ” sat alone on the stage, blindfolded, and answered every question put to him accurately and withont delay. The excellent vaudeville programme included items by Miss Anita Green, a charming soprano; by Mr Louis Alsace, on the Alsacephone; the Campbell Brothers, concertina experts; and Miss Mario Colen, pianist. The pictures included “ The Country Cousin " (Miss Elaine Hammerstein) and the fourth episode of “The Great Gamble.” The full programme will be presented again to-day. There will be tho usual change of pictures to-morrow. QUEEN’S THEATRE. There were very large attendances at the Queen’s Theatre yesterday to witness the screening of ” Wild Primrose,” starring Gladys Leslie and Richard Barthelmass. The supporting films included tho sixth chapter of the serial story, “ Myßtcry of 13,” another instalment of the interesting Cinema Travels, tho Queen’s Pictorial Budget, a good comedy, “ Speed to Spare,” and “ The Racing Strain,” featuring Mae Marsh, a really good film. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Tho Toll Gate.” William S. Hart’s initial production from his own studio, was again screened at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday to crowded attendances. " The To 1 ! Gate” is one of the best pictures that Hart has yet appeared in. Tho second attraction is tho Paramount-Artcraft super-special entitled ” The Cost,” starring Voilet Heming, who was recently seen in the title role of “ Every woman.’*' Everybody’s Select Orchestra again played a most pleasing and entirely new musical programme. Reserved seats may be booked at The Bristol, or by ’phoning 4925. OPERA HOUSE. The all-vaudeville programme at the Opera House was enthusiastically received bv a full attendance last night. Leonard Nelson (topical songs and impersonations), Ernest Crawford (song and recitation), Helen Charles (in child stories and impersonations), James Schofield (the “ laughing tenor ”), the Rev Frank Gorman (the “ singing parson ”), Beynon (a local conjurer), Henri French, the Musical Blanchards, Ernest Brinkman and the Steele Sisters, and the Darwinians, all contributed popular items in a most pleasing entertainment. The programme will bo repeated to-night. There will be tho usual matinee to-morrow at 2.30 o’clock. STRAND THEATRE. “ Molly and I," featuring the popular Shirley Mason, the star film in tno current week’s programme at the dtrand Theatre, will be shown for the last time to-night. SYDENHAM PICTURES. A double-star programme is now being screened at the Sydenham Picture Theatre. In "A Girl from Bohemia,’’ Irene Castle has the leading role. The other film is a six-reel drama entitled The Flame of Life,” produced by tho Swedish Bio Company. It is x picture full of interest and action drawn rrVn the backwoods and timber camps. ___