ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19508, 6 May 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. Owing to the non-arrival of “The Big Adventure” the programme for to-night has been amended and will comprise Buck Jones’ latest “The Last Straw” and Gareth Hughes in the highly diverting comedy drama “The Hunch.” “The Last Straw” a typically Western film is an. excellent one in every way. The fact that it is Buck Jones who is the star proclaims it as a Western story of more than average excellence. And so it is. The story tells of Tom Beck, who was the best cowboy on the H.O ranch when the owner died, and the new owner from the East proved to be a woman, young and pretty, named Jane Hunter. Jane had left behind in New York a suitor, whom she would have married if she had not inherited the ranch and thus become independent. When Jane reaches the ranch, she finds that rustlers, headed by Pat Webb and Sam McKee, are making trouble. She decides to make four of the men draw straws for the position of foreman. Tom, refuses to draw the last straw and one of the rustlers gets the job. But Tom does- take a vigorous hand in cleaning things up and there is much excitement before everything is satisfactorily straightened out. One continuous chuckle was heard throughout last night’s screening of “The Hunch,” one of the brightest of comedy-dramas. Gareth Hughes is seen as a young stock-broker who finds it convenient to disappear for a while. A fake murder is staged and it is when he tries to reestablish his identity that most of the fun happens. Can you imagine a man being arrested for his own murder? Well that is just what happens, and the girl, her friend and her father all find themselves in gaol on suspicion of being accomplices. This is a great week-end programme and is rounded off by a splendid comedy. Seats for tonight may be reserved at The Bristol until noon and later at Miss Beggs, or by ringing to 380. BUCK JONES MATINEE. The kiddies are in for a treat at the Civic this afternoon, when in addition to Buck Jones’ latest “The Last Straw” theto will be screened two full-length comedies—a Sunshine and a Hall-Boy—a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, and topical film. This is fare the kiddies like. It is amusing, entertaining and wholesome. ALBION THEATRE. Crowds and still crowds are filling this comfortable theatre day and night Cfiarlie Chaplin’s sensational success “The Kid” having captured the public of as he has done all over New Zealand. The daylight trials of motherhood, the midnight trials of paternity aro all for Chaplin in this super-comedy. He was a good mother to the “Kid,” and when that Kid grew up he became a good son: for Charlie is a wonderful glazier, and while the Kid went ahead breaking windows Charlie was always at hand to get the job of mending them, and yet there’s a sob now and then. Here’s where you get something more than laughs. At 7.15 p.m. is screened the Snookey comedy and immediately after that is screened the 7 reel feature “The Cap of Life.” There’s a tremendous drama of a father’s love for his son, and of the unjustified vengeance of a powerful Chinese merchant prince, deftly combined with a delicate love story, and scenes of stirring action, are revealed the fundamental differences that will forever separate the Orient from the Occident—the dividing line of races. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of Singapore has been exploited to the fullest advantage in attaining powerful effective contrast, and in reaching the tremendous dramatip situations which feature the production. The supporting cast includes Madge Bellamy, 'Tully Marshall, and Niles Welch. After the screening of this picture Princess Mary’s wedding will be screened. At 9 p.m. the “Kid” takes the screen. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol until 12 o’clock then at the Albion. Day sales may be obtained at Mrs Dunlop’s (next door to the Bristol.) PRINCESS MARY’S WEDDING, THE KID AND SNOOKEY. Record crowds have attended the screenings of Chaplin’s latest phenomenal success “The Kid” at the Albion. At this afternoon’s performance added attractions are announced in the children’s favourite monkey friend “Snookey” who is really delightful in his latest comedy “Full of Surprises.” In addition will be screened the authentic pictures of Princess Mary’s wedding. This picture gives magnificient views of the processions etc. connected with the ceremony.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT.

Another sensational double star Saturday night bill has been secured for Saturdaynightera at the Grand Theatre, commencing at 7.15 to-night. The big production, “The Courage of Marge O’Doone,” from the famous story by James Oliver Curwood, will be shown at 7.15 p.m. It is one of the most thrilling and instructive productions ever shown. An all-star cast of well-known popular players, made the feature during a raging blizzard in the Rocky Mountains. These players fought their way over the snow-covered peaks, braving dangers and hardships in order to get into a territory as yet unexplored by man. A bear fight, into which brave Pauline Starke, as Marge O’Doone, has the courage to rush in an effort to separate the struggling animals, is one of the big scenes in the production. The scenic beauty of the picture is unusual. It presents one of the most picturesque spots in North America at seasons when it is the most beautiful, and lays bare a territory into which few human beings have ventured, a land where romance and adventure are part of the daily routine. At 9 pjn. the beauty star Corinne Griffiths is featured in the mystery play “The Tower of Jewels,” classed as one of Corinne Griffiths’s beet dramas. A comedy and other pictures complete a very fine programme.