ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19097, 15 November 1923, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

TWO GEMS. ON THE CIVIC PROGRAMME. There was a delighted audience at the Civic Pictures last night when the new programme made a profound impression. The two star pictures “Gimme,” and “Forget-Me-Not,” leave nothing to be desired. “For-get-Me-Not” will be screened to-night at 8.50. In the simplicity of this delightful picture much of its strength will be found. The fact that Miss Love is so consistently true in the character of a crippled orphan, also adds to the value of the film. Briefly the story concerns a poverty-stricken mother who sends her daughter to an orphan asylum, where, some years later the girl is permanently injured. As the years roll on, a little romance commences between the girl and a young man of the institution (Gareth Hughes), but this terminates with the adoption of the latter by the mother of the young girl( the former, in the interim, having improved her financial and social standing). The young woman, having become an accomplished violinist, creates a great impression at a big society soiree, is brought again under the notice of her boy lover, and is later on first faviurite in his affections; with the usual happy result. “Forget-Me-Not,” is a real gem of its kind and can be placed in the same class as “Humoresque.” "Gimme” is witty and smart, and tells of a true to life story that might be happening in any home anywhere. Helene Chadwick, Gaston Glass, Henry B. Walthall and a strong cast make the most of the story, while the Rupert Hughes titles are a thing of joy. Every wife should see this programme. ALBION THEATRE. “ROBIN HOOD” ATTRACTING RECORD HOUSES. Another crowded audience packed the comfortable Albion last night, “Robin Hood” making a most favourable impression on everybody present, to give the reader a slight idea of the magnitude of the picture it is just three miles long. The picture comes endorsed by all the leading papers of the United Kingdom, a sufficient guarantee that it is worthy entertainment for all, whether young or old, male or female. Everyone of us, at one time or another, has allowed his thoughts to drift back “to the days of old when knights were bold” and have let the imagination run riot in seeking to picture those olden times. And always in our dreams there was the picturesque castle where the bold knights and their ladies lived and breathed a life of romance. At last that dream castle is a reality! When Douglas Fairbanks undertook to make the production, “Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood,” the first thing he wanted in that picture was just such a castle, so that we of the Twentieth Century might be transported back 800 years to the days of chivalry where bold knights fought for their lady lovers. Stately settings, gorgeous drapings, stately and beautiful women, make “Robin Hood” the “Daddy” of all local productions screened in Invercargill. The management wish it known that reserve seats may be secured at the Bristol till 5.30 p.m., then, at the Albion, Tel. 738. Day sale tickets at Dunlops all day. THE REVEILLE. THE SEASON CLOSES. Any doubts about the drawing power of the amateur theatrical entertainment at present showing in the Municipal Theatre are a thing of the past. The Reveille continues gaily on with little sign of diminished public interest, even though seven nights have already been ticked off, and the eighth and last performance to-night should see the finishing touches put on one of the most successful entertainments of its kind that has ever been undertaken in Invercargill. There was an excellent attendance of the public last night and the performance went with a swing from start to finish. To individualise (which is difficult) a solo dance by Miss Rene Ward was probably the best item of the evening, while the fact that it came on the heels of a measure by the assisting ballet made it all the more enjoyable. By this time every section of the big show has assumed quite a professional air—the Hussars carry themselves like the real thing, the choruses and marches go with a vim and sparkle from start to finish; and the soloists have lost any suggestion of stiffness or unnaturalness. It is safe to say that a bumper house will say farewell to Mr Lints and his merry entertainers to-night. ODIVA AND HER SEALS. The Odiva Act to appear at the Municipal Theatre on Monday next for a season of four nights and two matinees, is unique, it stands alone, far above any other single novelty the world has produced. Set amongst rocks with its frontage of plateglass, the huge tank, containing over 5000 gallons of water, in which the seals are seen disporting, makes of itself a picture that is a masterpiece, but far transcending the wonderful setting, is the reasoning power displayed by the seals, who obey all commands accurately and without hesitation, and go through their evolutions with Odiva, with a grace that is only equalled by that talented little artiste herself. In this act the audience will find moments for laughter and astonishment, and tense moments when misgiving gives place to alarm for the safety of the fascinating Odiva, who remains under water for such unbelievable lengths of time, with her wonderful seals playing round her. There will be supporting features with Odiva and her seals in several exhibitions and performances by special vaudeville artists, including Jubilee Trio, harmonisers of plantation melodies, Claude De Car, the acrobatic waiter and his dog, Verna Bain, the famous Australian dancer, Eric Harrison, entertainer, and the Hilo Duo exponents of the Hawaiian Guitar. The ’ box plan is at the Bristol. Special matinees will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next, at 3.15 p.m.