ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17789, 19 July 1916, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. LAST OF A FINE FILM. Another splendid attendance last evening testified to the fact that Invercargill knows and appreciates a picture of merit for that is what Beiaseo's “The Girl of the Golden West” unquestionably is. The strong human story, admirable acting and beautiful scenery are vastly popular. The merit of the four supporting subjects is conspicuously good. The big programme finishes to-night. TO-MORROW—A COMEDY KING. Fun and frolic will reign to-morrow beginning at 2 sharp. The chief subject on a splendidly selected programme will be the very latest and greatest TriangleKeystone modern fun giant in three big reels ".Following Father’s Footsteps,” with Fred Stirling the acknowledged king of knockabout comedians in a role that provides him with possibilities for fun making sufficient to drive spectators into convulsions. Two splendid star dramas, soenics, comedies and war topicals will go to form an unusually large programme. GRAND THEATRE. LAST OF “THE FIGHTING PARSON.” That great and magnificent film dram* "The Fighting Parson" continues to make a profound impression at the popular "Grand," and it virtually holds spectators spellbound. It is distinctly a picture nlav that should not he missed for not only the merit of the production but the quality of the acting as well is extraordinary. The supporting subjects are all good. A bumper house is certain. MARY I’ICKFOUU AS "TESS." Prompted by hundreds of requests the Manager has secured for presentation beginning to-morrow afternoon that wonderful motion-play "Tess of the Storm Country" with “the world’s sweetheart." Mary Pickford, in her remarkable impersonation of “Tess." Mary Pickford has done much brilliant work, but nothing else she ever did in any way approaches her splendid performance in “Toss o' the Storm Country." The world’s star .actress will show in conjunction with that highly popular bushranging personage “Stingaree.” The new Stingaree story is entitled “The Black Hole of Glenranald," and is an amazing two reel drama, concerning the

sticking up of a bank. Seven picked, pictures will lie screened in support, so that Thursday’s programme should be a memorable one. POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. There was another very large attendance last night when the big programme screened was again heartily received. “Cora” is a magnificent Metropproduc t tion in five acts, and we heartily commend it to everyone. The supports are all excellent, and this splendid bill should attract another large house tonight at the final screening. “THE BROKEN COIN.” Members of the general public often yearn to act for the pictures. They have before, them a vision of a romahtic fascinating life in the open air, a life full of enjoyment, where work is all play; little realising what uncommonly hard things a picture actor really has to do to earn his daily bread. How would yoli,' for instance, like to hang head downwards from the balcony of an upper storey to catch in your arms and safely lower to the ground a young lady who has jumped from an opposite window fifteen feet away? How would you like to enter a bull-ring just as the matadors have baited and enraged a bull beyond all endurance, and left it for you an amateur to settle with? How would you like to be thrown off a train, going at a good speed, pick yourself up, mount it once more, only to be thrown off again? How would you like to tear down a railway track in a motor car from which the, tyres had been removed, overtake an express, and make a flylnjr leap on to one of the cars? How would, you like to be kicked and punched and. pummelled, and bound hand and foot, and thrown about like a sack? Do these little tasks appeal to you? Probably they do not; and yet everyone of the feats described above, together with a host of others, jost as wonderful is performed by Eddie Polo, a leading actor in the Great Trans-Atlantic Serial "The Broken Coin,” which will commence at the Popular Picture Palace to-morrow (Thursday). Grace Cnnard, one of the most popular Cinema actresses in the world portrays her old role of Lucille Love, whilst Francis Ford, “who is universally admitted to be the world’s greatest producer of serial-plays,’’ enacts his old character of Hugo Loubeque. The first appearance of “McGinty," the ventriloquist, is also announced. THE DANDIES. Mr Edward Bra n scorn be’s costume concert comedy, “The Dandies,” willopen a season of three nights in the Municipal Theatre on Monday next. The visiting company haveroeen described as the smartest combination in their line of business. They make a complete change of programme |each night, an extensive repertoire making this easily possible. “The Dandies” will contribute several selections from grand opera, in addition to which the male quartet of the party will also contribute a number of items. In comedy, also, they will present many, numbers of a diverting nature. The light and breezy nature of the entertainment presented by the coming artists has met with general favour in all places where they have appeared, and critics acclaim them a gifted and versatile body. The plan will open at Lillicrap's to-morrow morning. Y.M.C.A. PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION. Mr W. H. George, of Wellington, wh» is to deliver a lecture (in the Grand. Theatre in Invercargill on Friday evening, is the senior partner of the firm of Messrs George and George, of Melbourne, and of Messrs George ’and Kersley, of Wellington. About twelve months ago, when the Y.M.C.A. National Committee found its opportunities opening up so rapidly in Egypt, it was thought advisable to send over a commission of business men to supervise the field operations and ascertain the specific needs. Messrs W. G. Jamieson, of Christchurch, and W. H. George, offered to undertake the trip at their own expense, and to set the whole organisation on a thoroughly sound basis. • They accordingly went, accompanied by Mr George's son with his motor car, and spent six months in Egypt, during which time the activities of the movement increased far beyond their expectations. Mr George took advantage of his observations to secure a series of views first hand of the scenes of army life en route and abroad. These are recorded in the film which he will exhibit in illustration of his lecture on Friday evening. Mr George is an attractive speaker, and will doubtless make his story a live and interesting one to his hearers. His reception in th« north has been very enthusiastic, and no doubt his local audience will be equally large and appreciative. THE SEA ELEPHANTS. STILL ON VIEW. These denizens of the far frozen south arc enjoying a summer respite at the baths. Tweed street, where they are still on exhibition. They are such uniquo creatures that everyone who can spare half an hour will enjoy seeing them. They will be on view at the hours mentioned in our advertising columns, viz., to-day (Wednesday), from 2 to s.Bo'and 7.30 to 10 p.m.; on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m., and on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. The price ot admission is very modest, and the proceeds are in aid of that worthy cause,— the Dominion Gift Parcels Scheme. On Sunday afternoon the Hibernian Band has generously offered to assist by playing at the baths from 3 p.m. Thin action of the members of the band is most highly appreciated by the Collections’ Committee, more especially as it is understood they had previously arranged a concert for Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park, but decided to forego this fixture in order to assist the Gift Parcels Scheme. The enterprise of thoso responsible for the introduction of sea elephants for the first time into New Zealand has certainly occurred at an opportune time, in that they are th# means of providing funds for a most deserving object. On that account thesn gentlemen are to he congratulated for their patriotic effort. The sea elephant* are not to be confused with'sea lions; they arc a distinct curiosity so far as New Zealand is concerned, and tboos who have already visited the bath# where the sea elephants are lofcated unanimously declare that then* visit would have been worth while, even if the admission was three times as much as the modest sum that is being chargod.