ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1541, 15 April 1920, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PALACE. TOM -MOORE IN “THE CITY OF COMRADES.” Tom Moore and Sccna Owen make a likeable pair whenever they get together on the screen and their adventures in “The City of Comrades” (Goldwvn production) will enhance their popularity, for the play suits Tom to perfection, and Seena plays “opposite” in a way that brings the best out of the popular principal. “The City of Comrades” is the love story of a dowu-and-outer who hits the bread-line and burgles lor food before things begin to come his way. The girl of the story is tired of the usual type of society man she meets, and longs for a man who is “different.” Her longing is satisfied when she finds a burglar, but an cx.ra special villain with gentlemanly ways. At this point Cupid picks up the threads of Destiny and guides the i air over different and widely separated paths for reasons of his own, finally bringing them together amid the tragic scenes of the great explosion at Halifax. A Mack Sennett comedy and a Post Nature Scenic and a Gazette are also to be shown. ROSY. TWO FEATURES AND SERIAL. Could you be happy if married to a millionaire you did not love? That is the big theme of “The L6ve Auction,” which is to be shown to-day at the Rosy. This new William Fox photo-play, featuring Virginia Pearson. is one of the best dramas shown here in many a day. Miss Pearson is seen as a poor girl, struggling to earn a living, undecided as to a husband. The man she loves is poor, and the millionaire suitor can give her everything she wants and put her in society. She chooses the latter. Then begins the unfolding of one of the strongest human interest stories ever seen on the -screen. The woman learns that her rich husband is a confirmed drunkard. She seeks the sympathy of her former lover. She is indiscreet. A Free Love leader attempts blackmail and is killed by the husband —who afterwards kills himself. Freedom and lasting happiness then come into the life of the wife. The picture is a fine one, and Miss Pearson’s work in i( is admirable. Another picture in five reels is the Paramount play, “Something - to Do,” featuring the old Essanay favourite, Bryant Washburn. With these two pictures and the serial plus a cartoon and topical the management are certainly delivering the goods. EVERYBODY’S. ALICE JOYCE IN “THE THIRD DEGREE.” There hat) never been a greater consensus of opinion among critics and public, than in respect to the merit of Vitagraph’s great special production, “The Third Degree,” with AliceJoyce as the star. “Wid,” the daring critic whose word is accepted throughout the picture world, says “The Third Degree” reaches the 100 per cent, mark. Few indeed, he says, have been the screen adaptation of stage plays which have come through with the force, sympathy and fidelity as "The ’third Degree” does. It is a remarkably fine version of the famous stage drama, admirably produced and strongly acted. It may be classed as one of the strongest pictures released.

“TiIGHTSDr.” The J. C. Williamson firm promise somethin,!? much out of the common in “Lightnin’,” which will be presented here on Wednesday next. This quite extraordinary play really took Melbourne and Sydney by storm. In Melbourne the play ran for over 100 consecutive nights, an easy record for any piece of the kind ever produced in Australasia. Sydney welcomed the famous comedy-drama for 80-odd nights, when it had to withdrawn in the height of success to make way for other important waiting attractions. It is said that so entirely lovable and highly artistic piece of character acting as the “Lightnin’ ” Bill Jones of Mr John D. O’Hara has never been previously seen south of the Line. The Sydney “Sun” writes of the play:—“ ‘Lightnin’ ’ is a very clever American comedy played by a very clever company. In fact, the company, headed by John D. O’Hara, as Lightnin’ Bill Jones, is of such excellence that the play is made to sparkle whether it will or not. However, ‘Lightnin’ ’ would please any audience, even if less superlatively well performed. As Bill Jones, John D. O’Hara is the most adorable of men. His appearance is so perfect that it is impossible to ascribe it to the art of make-up, however good. It takes an unusually sweet disposition, even when seen across the footlights, to look as lovable as does John D. O’Hara. His voice is soft and mellow. In fact, Lightnin’ Bill Jones so entirely captures the sympathy of the audience that nobody gives a hang to his very real faults.” The box plans will be opened at Oates’ Music Stores on Monday next.