ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1717, 7 January 1920, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“DADDY LONG LEGS” AT THE PALACE.

Tho popularity of Mary Pickford as a screen artist was amply testified to last evening, when tho Palace Theatre was' crowded to witness tho screening of “Daddy Long Legs,” with Mary Pickford in the leading role. The audience were not disappointed, and they enjoyed to the utmost the screening of an intensely-human story in which pathos and humour were admirablyblended. The story is a well known one, dealing with the life of a little girl brought up in an orphanage. The part of the girl, “Judy Abbott,” is taken by Mary Pickford, and her reputation lost nothing by her portrayal of the wilful and passionate but loving character. “Judy” is tho terror of those in charge of tho orphanage, and her pranks and escapades arc numerous, but throughout she is the defender and helper of the weak and the friendless. Later, she is sent to college through tho good offices of Jarvis Pendleton, a wealthy patron of the orphanage, who prefers to be known as plain John Smith, and to whom Judy applied the appellation of “Daddy _ Long Legs.’’ Judy develops into a beautiful and talented young lady, and is offered marriage by Jarvis Pendleton. Tho offer, however, is refused because Judy Considers that socially she is his inferior although his love is reciprocated. In her trouble Judy writes to her benefactor “Daddy Long Legs,” asking his advice. Not receiving a reply, she goes to his house, and to her astonishment finds that Jarvis Pendleton and “Daddy Long Logs" are one and the same person, and there is the usual happy ending to tho story.

Mary Pick ford was soon at her very best in this lior latest film success, and proven onco again what a wonderful little versatile actress .‘■lie is. Her escapades in the orphanage created roars of laughter, while the manner in which she mothered the babies was very touching. Later sho was equally loveable as the accomplished girl fresh from college, while in the concluding scene when sho learns the identity of her beloved Daddy Long Logs sho scored a veritable triumph. The caste was a particularly lenghty one, and included a number of artists oi note, there not being a weak part in the whole of the caste. 'The scenery, too, was excellent, and altogether the picture proved to bo one of the best yet screened at the Palace, and is bound to draw full bouses for tlio remaining sessions of the season. The enjoyment of tin; largd\andi°nco was considerably enhanced by the appropriate music supplied by an excellent orchestra. "Daddy Long Legs” will bo screened again at the Palace this evening and cn Thursday and Friday evenings, whijo there will also be matinees this afternoon and to morrow afternoon.

EVERYBODY’S,

- f “UP ROMANCE ROAD.”

Most people find love quite exciting enough without any added thrills, but in “Up Romance Road,” William Russell and Charlotte. Burton, both potted and pampered members of wealthy society, found their love rather tamo for their jaded tastes, and both sighed for adventure and action. They sot out to find it and their expectations were more than met —and they found a lot of adventure for which they were not altogether prepared. The picture provides rapid-fire entertainment, and hasn’t a dull moment in it from first to last. Russell’s groat strength and magnificent physique make him an ideal hero, and the heroine in the shape of Charlotte Burton is well worth fighting for. ROSY. MABEL NORMAN!) IN “THE PEST.” In “The Pest” Mabel Norrnand enter* the ballroom dressed in the lutes:; thing in gowns, but it hangs from ail the wrong curve*. The local “sassiety” girls poke fun at her, so she tears off the gown in front of them, showing underneath to be a suit of blue dungarees. The picture is a scream from start to finish.