ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. Last night’s large audience thoroughly revelled in the good and popular fare presented at this comfortable theatre. A story with wit and humour, and a touch of drama that only an Irish story can have, is registered in “My Wild Irish Rose,” starring Pauline Starke and Pat O’Maliy, which screens at 7.30 p.m. The story is adapted from the stage success “The Shaughran,” a story of Emerald Isle in the days of good Queen Elizabeth. The story breathes the very spirit of Ireland with its little shamrock, its lakes and its quaint brogue. The story is a love romance and the big cast is headed by Pauline Starke and Pat O’Maliy. John Gilbert, the versatile Fox star, was seen at 9 p.m. in “The Love Gambler,” his latest production. For some time, Gilbert has given promise of being one of the big luminaries in the screen world, a promise that was definitely fulfilled when he appeared in the title role of “Monte Cristo,” easily one of the screen achievements of the year. This picture is said to make a new mark for Gilbert, though his role and the locale of the picture are different from anything he has done before. It may be that he will prove to be one of the screen’s greatest light comedians as well as one of those best equipped for serious roles. For “The Love Gambler,” in spite of the dramatic nature of the story, one of sacrifice, has running through it a light vein that charms thoroughly. Gilbert plays the role of a thoroughly likeable young swaggerer, who, blessed with the strength and the insouciance of youth, is able to make good on everything he undertakes. Playing opposite John Gilbert is Cannel Myers, long one of the most popular leading ladies of the screen. Miss Myers’ beauty is internationally known, and her acting proves once again that beauty and brains are not necessarily divorced. There is some excellent photography by Joseph August. The story, by Lillian BennetThompson and George Hubbard, was put into scenario form by Jules Furthman and directed by Joseph Franz. A Mack Sennett comedy “Pa and Ma” and other subjects complete a programme not to be missed. Seats may be reserved by telephoning the Albion (738). “CON, THE SHAUGHRAN,” SENNETT AND SUNSHINE MATINEE. Lovers of good wholesome entertainment, be they young or old, will find ideal fare at the Albion Theatre this afternoon commencing at 2 p.m. The bill is headed by the famous Irish drama “Con, The Shaughran” or “My Wild Irish Rose” as it is called in the film. It is doubtful if a more popular Irish drama was ever produced in “Con,” and in the screen version,, which we saw last night, the production is 50 per cent better than any stage could get. it. The background of the play is made in ideal outdoor surroundings. From drama the afternoon’s entertainment will turn to comedy of the first’water, for the fun will be presented by Mack Sennett's comedy. “Pa and Ma” and the Sunshine comedy “All Wet.” Patrons of the Albion are in for a genuine treat. SPECIAL RACING PICTURE “GARRISON S FINISH.” “Garrison's Finish” contains many of the best racing scenes ever put into any motion picture. Many of these are photographs of the actual running of the great Kentucky Derby—most famous of all races in the United States—and also of the Metropolitan Handicap, run at the celebrated Belmont Park, New York. “Garrison’s Finish” is one of those swift-moving racing stories such as are rarely written. It is replete with consuming excitement, together with pleasing romance and compelling drama. It is one of those all-action pictures in which there is no let-up from the inception to the very finale. Jack portrays the character of a heroic jockey and he acts and looks every inch the part. Forsooth, he was never better cast and with the charming Madge Bellamy supporting him as a beautiful romantic foil he succeeds in doing some of the best histrionic work of his long, brilliant career. The season opens at the Albion on Tuesday night. Seats may be reserved by telephoning the Albion (738). CIVIC PICTURES. There are two most unusual pictures oi> the new programme at the Municipal Theatre and both wall prove highly acceptable to picture-goers for they combine attractive and enjoyable entertainment with unique stories treated in styles quite away from the usual methods. These two pictures “The Man Who Saw To-morrow” (featuring Thomas Meighan, supported by Theodore Roberts, Leatrice Joy, Eva Novak, June Elvidge and Winter Hall) and “The Ghost Patrol” (featuring Ralph Graves and Bessie Love, supported by George Nicholls, who had a big say in the success of “The Pride of Palomar”) would be enough to complete a perfect evening’s entertainment, but the programme also includes a further round of “The New Leather Pushers,” which, judging by the volume of laughter heard in the theatre last night, contains a very larger amount of comedy than usual. The fistic bouts are also worthy. In ‘Th* Man Who

Saw To-morrow,” two women seek to marry Meighan. One is an English noblewoman (June Elvidge), and the other (Leatrice Joy) is a rum-runner’s daughter. He is falling Under the influence of the former, when just about this times he comes in contact with John Milturn, who dabbles in Oriental Mysticism. The professor allows Meighan to visualise his future as the husband of each of the females, and thus you have a dual story, both of them very interesting in themselves. One shows a narrative unfolded in a South Seas environment; the other takes us to incua. Both are two extremes in production and each one is carried out with a careful attention to detail, the Indian picture being a blaze of colour. The cast supporting the story is most adequate. In “The Ghost Patrol” old age has been marie the motif of a touching drama. The story concerns a veteran policeman, devoted to duty and the people on his tenement beat for thirty years, who is retired. The tragedy of the old man’s broken heart is lightened by the sunshine of youthful love and the story is unique in its double appeal to young and old. The strength of the story itself is admirably supported by the characterisations of the all star cast. George Nichols, who will be remembered as the father in “Molly-O,” and also in ‘The Pride of Palomar,” plays the unique role of the aged officer to perfection, while George B. Williams gives another of. his clever Jewish characterisations. Ralph Graves, former Griffith star, and Bessie Love, who is known as one of the most popular stars, are ideally fitted to the roles of the young lovers which require strong emotional acting. Seats for to-night may be reserved at the Bristol until noon, later at Mrs Gawn’s, or by ringing No. 380. Day sales at Mrs Gawn’s. HOSPITAL SATURDAY MATINEECIVIC PICTURES TO-DAY. Each year it is the custom of the Civic Pictures management to give a matinee the whole of the proceeds from which go to the hospital. To-day is the day arranged for this fixture, and it is anticipated that l parents will fully realise the worthiness of the object and send all the children to the Municipal Theatre before two o'clock tins afternoon. The exceptionally good programme which has been arranged includes ‘The Ghost Patrol” round 9 of “The New Leather Pushers” (a series all the children go crazy over), a Century comedy “Boyhood Days,” featuring Buddy Messinger, and an episode of “The Lion Man” serial. All who desire to secure cards for “The Lion Man” competition may still do so. ‘THE KENTUCKY DERBY.” MUNICIPAL THEATRE—TUESDAY. So great has been the popularity achieved by Reginald Denny’s latest Universal Jewel success, “The Kentucky Derby,” that imitators have sprung up on all sides. Picturegoers are advised that the one and only copy of this big film as originally produced will be shown by the management of the Civic Pictures at the Municipal Theatre next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Harold Lloyd’s first five-reeler and his greatest success by far, “Grandma’s Boy,” will also be included on the programme, which on account of the rush that is sure to take place, will be screened twice daily, aftersions are now open at The Bristol, where the wise ones will make sure of their seats without delay.