ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19509, 8 May 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE'. The final screenings of Charles Chaplin’s latest masterpiece “The Kid,” Princess Mary’s Wedding and the new melodrama, “Her Unwilling Husband,” are announced for to-night commencing at 7.15. Charlie Chaplin’s film has broken all attendance records not only at the Albion, but everywhere in Australasia, a wonderful testimony to the popularity of this famous star. It may be an ill wind that blows nobody good, but it was a wind of a high stormy nature that blew a mass of comedy complications into Blanche’s latest Pathe comedy, “Her Unwilling Husband,” which will be screened at 7.45. An island, a nice girl, very nice indeed, since it is Blanche Sweet; a stormy wind that blew; her former fiance and another man, a stranger; those are the ingredients. As Blanche was stranded in the only house on the island with these two, and the late beloved, cast from paradise on account of supposed faithlessness, showed signs of being still interested, she felt she needed protection, so immediately adopted Mr Stranger as her husband—to shoo off the unwelcome one. *The plot thickens to the density of pea soup, and the complications provide rattling good entertainment, with a pocketful of surprises at the finish. Blanche Sweet lives up to name and reputation in this bright offering, and is afforded ample support by Albert Roscoe and Edwin Stevens. The box plans ( for to-night are at The Bristol until 5.30, then at the Albion. Day sales may be obtained at Mrs Dunlop’s (next door to The Bristol).

CIVIC PICTURES. The ultimate aim of all amusement —to transport one, for a brief time, away from the harsh realities of everyday life—has never been more effectively attained than in “Thunder Island,” the picture which is being shown for the first time in Invercargill at 7.25 to-night. Patrons are transported to a land of stirring events and colourful personalities—Thunder Island—a mythical island of romance and adventure where strange things happen and where desperate deeds are done. The story has all the fascination, romance and adventure of a tale by Robert Louis Stevenson or Rider Haggard. It is full of thrilling incident and vigorous action. Piracy on the high seas, lost treasure, pearl divers at work, a dive from the topmast of a schooner into the water below and one of the most intriguing stories of the year add to the interest in this photodrama in which Edith Roberts is the principal player. In brief the story runs: A fabulously wealthy Mexican rancher is married on his death-bed to Isola Garcia, a little shepherdess. He brings about the marriage to repay her family for their kindness to him, by leaving the child his legal widow in order that she may inherit his fortune. He dies, but a designing employee impersonates him, tells the girl that his recovery was sudden and attempts to claim her as his wife. She escapes after much' exciting action, with the aid of a rich young American who is cruising in Southern waters in search of pearls. The second half of the programme is taken up by “The Hunch,” the most laughable comedy-drama of the year in which Gareth Hughes is seen as a buckless stockholder, who to get out of the way for a while plans his own murder and then has trouble in re-establishing his identity. The fun is fast and furious, at times a bit exciting, and always clean, clever and wholesome. This picture will be shown for the last time to-night; also the Sunshine comedy on the bill. It’s a programme which should, not be missed.