ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20641, 13 November 1928, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. MUNICIPAL THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. LAST NIGHT OF LAURA LA PLANTE AND GLENN TRYON IN “THANKS FOR THE BUGGY RIDE,” AND “A THIEF IN THE DARK.” In the Municipal Theatre to-night this splendid programme will have its final screening. Pride of place is given to Laura La Plante’s latest “Thanks for the Buggy Ride.” There are several things that can be said in favour of this picture. The first and important is the youthfulness of the principal players; the second, that the story, though not big, is charming; the third, that the two principal players are good actors. The spectator’s interest is aroused in the very beginning and kept until the end. The love affairs of Glenn Tryon, as the hero, an itinerant musician, and of the heroine, dancing teacher, is charming in the extreme. The scenes in the country, in particular, are more so than others and there is an abundance of comedy in the efforts of Laura and Glenn who try so hard to sell the song that he has written, but which no one wants. The other star “A Thief In The Dark” is a thrilling melodrama crammed with comedy. A fascinating expose of fake mediums and the means by which they bring about ghostly apparitions. George Meeker, Gwen Lee, Doris Hill, Marjorie Beebe and a cast of screen favourites in a picture you are going to remember! “A DAUGHTER OF INVERCARGILL.” AT THE MAJESTIC TO-MORROW. The greatest topic of interest in the city this week has been “what will ‘A Daughter of Invercargill’ be like?” We wonder. And, come to think of it, why shouldn’t it be on a par with at least some of the imported films? Mr Rudall Hayward, New Zealand’s pioneer film producer, has had a very considerable experience in making pictures and has a most thoroughly up-to-date plant for “shooting” and developing and printing and his past productions have all been of a very high standard. A private screening of “A Daughter of Invercargill” was given last evening, at which the writer was privileged to be present. This film is really a surprise from every angle. The photography, the settings, yes, and the acting of the purely local cast was all that could be desired. Miss Alma Walters, as the heroine, gives a performance that will surprise everyone and one would imagine while looking at the picture that this lady was a movie star with a great deal of experience. Neil Jack plays the part of the hero, and besides being an accomplished actor, he demonstrates very clearly that he is a horseman of no mean ability. His rescue of the heroine from a speeding motor-car is on a par with the stunts given by any American film star. The story is a delightful one and the sub-titles most witty. This film was taken around Invercargill and there are many “crowd” scenes in which local celebrities are easily distinguished. All in all, “A Daughter of Invercargill” is a triumph of local enterprise and skill, and should be seen by all lovers of this fair city. The supporting programme will be of the very best, and includes the great comedy-drama “The Prince of Pgp,” and also “An Angel of Broadway.” The plans for these three nights can now be seen at the Bristol, or a ’phone ring to 738 will ensure your reservations. PERRY BROS. CIRCUS. Arrived by t.s.s. Manuka Messrs Perry Bros Circus and Zoo is due to open the New Zealand tour at the Bluff to-night and will open in Invercargill on Wednesday, November 14. Replete with the very latest and choicest pickings of the circus world as it is known in America and on the Continent, and especially reenlarged, brilliantly re-featured and with a wealth of new and costly embellishments, the management announce the most stupendous circus programme ever offered in the southern hemisphere. In addition to a comprehensive company of circus star artists there are scores of beautiful horses and ponies together with performing lions, tigers and elephants including Jumbo the only tusked performing elephant on earth and Tommy the midget elephant 35 years old can charleston, dance the black bottom and play its own music. The magnificent menagerie of jungle terrors include 'three baby lions only two months old. The zoo will be open from 4 to 5 p.m. daily for feeding of wild animals 4.30. The huge marquees will be erected on the Eastern Reserve, Tay Street.