ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19257, 22 June 1921, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. A palpable hit was made last night by the British production “Alf’s Button,” before a packed house. AU who wish to be thoroughly entertained should not miss this film. Although ages have mellowed the memory of Aladdin and his wonderful lamp, there is no reason to suppose otherwise than that Aladdin’s widow, feeling the pinch of poverty after her husband’s demise, would realise on ssych a valuable asset as the lamp. For centuries it must have lain about in odd corners, becoming steadily more dingy with the march of time. Then, along came the world war, and it was acquired by our Government as part of a job lot of assorted Oriental curios to be eventually melted down and made into buttons for soldiers’ tunics. Now you may say this is wild conjecture, but it certainly accounts for the curious things that happened to Private Alf Higgins, in the later years of the war. Alf had got himself into an awful mess, and drew a new tunic from the store. He started to give his new buttons their initial clean-up; but the moment his toothbrush touched the second button, Alf was appalled to see an enormous Geni rise out of the earth, make him a low obeisance, and say: “What wilt thou have? I am ready to obey thee as the slave of the button. I, and the ether slaves of the button!” Alf’s first remark is characteristic: “Gorblimey, strike me pink!” Naturally, the obedient Geni granted the request immediately, or, as they said ip the Geni’s days, statim. And so the story of the button direct descendant of Aladdin’s lamp, goes on. Even in those days of the birth of old Bill and his fellow pilgrims—the jest was always quickest when death was nearest —and the strange adventures that the button brought to Alf ’iggins are no stranger in reality than many of the actual happenings during that period. The humour, begot of danger, and pride of race, persists in cropping up unexpectedly, and even in the midst of the whole-hearted fun, one sees anew the tenderness, the beauty, the rare and radiant sense of humour, and above all the grim purpose that made these men “carry on” in face of all. An appropriate prologue by Miss Rene Wood was very effective and lent additional pleasure to the picture. The box plans are at the Bristol. CIVIC PICTURES. William S. Hart and Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle! What a mighty combination. These two popular stars will be seen in action at the Civic Pictures to-night—Wil-liam S. Hart in “The Testing Block” and Fatty Arbuckle in “The Life of the Party.” In “The Testing Block” William S. Hart has provided six reels of concentrated rapid fire, two-fisted action, admirably tempered by the soft mellow beauty of romance and love. Its tremendous dramatic situations combine the pathos and heartaches of human love, with the breath-taking dangerous thrills of men’s deeds in the early gold rush days. Little Richard Headrick, a child marvel, is to be seen in the cast. Roscoe Arbuckle stands out to the world as the greatest living advertisement of the fact that there is both fame and fortune in fatness. He has proven this for years past in his inimitable slapstick comedies and in the process of this proof, his face has become very familiar to millions of screen fans. Now he has deserted slapstick to appear in straight comedy drama roles in a series of Paramount pictures, to be selected from the best works of noted authors. While these new productions are to be totally different in content from the Arbuckle slapstick classics, comedy will be the prevailing note in each of them. The first of these is “The Life of the Party,” adapted for Mr Arbuckle’s use from Irvin S. Cobb’s popular Saturday Evening Post story of the same name. It is the amusing tale of a fat, good natured young lawyer who, for the sake of a pretty pair of eyes refused a bridge that would have made him wealthy, and undertook to run a band of milk profiteers to their lair. A pretty “vamp” and gome shady politicians sought to lure him from the straight and narrow but in the end, “Fatty” triumphed. It’s the biggest, funniest Arbuckle picture you ever saw! “HELIOTROPE.’ 1 The thousands of Invercargill people who saw and enjoyed “Humoresque” will be anxious to see its companion picture “Heliotrope,” which will be screened at the Civic Pictures next week. The novelty of the story and its breath-taking climax alone would ensure its success, but the picture also has those qualities that make folks smile and weep and want to go again to see it. POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. A stirring picture story of romance and Oriental intrigue is unfolded in “Lu Ting Lang” with Sessue Hayakawa in the stellar role at the Popular Picture Palace. “Li Ting Lang” is an Asiatic noble who has concealed his rank until graduating at an American university. He is known to his college chums, Murray and Dalton, as “Ting-a-Ling.” He is a favourite with them and in society until his conspicuous attention to beautiful Marion Halstead bring forth protests on al Isides. In defiance, Marion announces that she is engaged to Li Ting Lang, and gradually she becomes socially isolated. When Li sees that she will be friendless, he releases her with gentle dignity. Three years later Marion goes to China on her honeymoon—she has married one of Li’s churns. There is an affecting meeting between the American bride and her former adorer, who is compelled to hide her when plotters arrive. He is fighting them single-handed when a rescue party led by his old college chums coces tn his aid.

Y.M.C.A. CONCERT. There was a fairly large audience at the concert given in the Grand Theatre last evening in aid of the local Y.M.C.A. work. Mr S. McDonald presided, and briefly outlined. the objects of the Association and the attractions it provided for young men. The programme was an excellent one and included several enjoyable selections by the recently-formed Y.M.C.A. orchestra. The other numbers on the programme given by well-known local performers were also greatly appreciated and the concert was a successful one from every point of view. Songs were contributed by Mesdames McInnes, J. G. Anderson, and S. Brown, Mes-' srs S. Richards, J. M. Murray and Dr S. Brown. Other items were: Mandolin solo, Mr G. Reed; humorous stories, Mr H. C. hay; violin solo, Mr J. S. Roby; duet, Mrs S. Brown and Mrs Anderson. Mrs Logan and Mrs Anderson acted as accompanists. ANTONIO NOTARIELLO. A BRILLIANT TENOR ON TOUR. The keen disappointment naturally felt by New Zealanders at being unable to hear John McCormack last yjear is now being amply compensated by Messrs J. and N. Tait by the introduction of a brilliant operatic tenor direct from Italy. Signor Notariello has been engaged for a tour of New Zealand and Australia while in the heyday of his vocal triumphs. He comes direct from the Theatre Const anza, Rome, where for the past two years he has held the high esteem of the Italian musical world as one of the leading singers of the day. One of the best known critics in Rome said: “It is certain that Notariello will follow in the footsteps of Tamagno and Caruso.” A strong supporting company has been engaged to tour with Notariello. Mr Gordon Short, solo pianist and accompanist, is stated to be a master of expression and technique. Miss Ray Fox, a brilliant Australian violiniste, is described by a reliable authority as “possessing the divine spark which differentiates the artist from tfie player.” Miss Elsie Kell is a rising young Wellington soprano of exceptional promise. The Invercargill concerts will be given in the Municipal Theatre on Monday and Tuesday evenings next. The plans will open at the Bristol this morning .