ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20648, 21 November 1928, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. HARRY LANGDON LN “THE CHASER” AND FLORENCE VIDOR IN "THE MAGNIFICENT FLIRT.” '‘Uplifting the drama” is an art that has long been practiced in Hollywood, with inditierent success sometimes, but "uplifting the drama" and then letting it fall with a dull thud is the height of comedy entertainment! At least as Harry Langdon does it; nor can there be any question about his success at the pastime. Patrons of the Civic Pictures will have their first chance to justify how true this is when they see "The Chaser,” Harry's latest comedy scream which has been built all the way for laughs. Just what can happen when a “kissless husband” strays from home is revealed in all its lurid and ludicrous details in "The Chaser.” Harry is mother-in-law ridden, and so is his wife. The ghost at the domestic feast doesn’t believe in taking any chances with men—no sir! Treat ’em rough, and never show any weak affection for them, is her motto. The results are one long howl of marital mirth—for the spectators at least, if not for Langdon. It runs the gamut of joyousness, from chuckles to horse-laughs; from poker raids to bathing beauty picnics; and from lodge meetings to “kitchen police” for Harry himself. Gladys McConnell appears again as Langdon's leading woman, while Bud Jaimison, Helen Hayward and a cast of hand-picked feminine pulchritude lend additional support. "The Magnificent Flirt” the other star picture tells a story of modern Paris. Florence Vidor is seen in the leading role which is that of a flighty society woman. Madame L’Averne, who wnis the affections of a count, the uncle of the young man who loves her daughter. The count, although he loses his heart to her, yet believes her to be a heartless flirt, and is cautious. Madame L’Averne consents to a tete-a-tete dinner with the count, who tells her he loves her, but she stands him off, and finally, with the object of overcoming his nephew’s desire to marry into the L’Averne family, he attempts to compromise her in his nephew’s hearing by offering te take her to a seaside resort. She agrees enthusiastically. but just as the count is convinced that he has proved to his nephew what type of woman she is, she adds that they must marry before they leave. This somewhat takes the count aback, but he makes a further effort to extricate himself by declaring that he will not marry her after having seen her in another’s arms. At this juncture his nephew’ breaks in on the scene, and explains that it was he whom the count had seen embracing Madame L’Averne, the occasion being her approval of his marriage with her daughter. The count can do nothing but capitulate, and the final scene show’s two happy couples leaving for their honeymoon. Seats for to-night may be reserved at the Bristol until noon, later at Mrs Gawn s or by ringing No. 380. MAJESTIC TO-NIGHT. LILLIAN GISH AND NORMAN KERRY IN ANNIE LAURIE,” ALSO HELGA THOMAS IN "THE POACHER.” Commencing to-night at the Majestic Theatre for a run of three nights only, "Annie Laurie,” featuring Lillian Gish, with Norman Kerry, Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale, Patricia Avery, Frank Currier and Russell Simpson. The surge and thunder of battle—drama to grip every man, woman and child! lan MacDonald, hated Highland foe, at the point of deadly Camp-

bell steel—suspense, gripping and spellbinding. lan and Annie Laurie, daughter of Sir Robert Laurie, in the garden at Maxwelton after Annie’s glorious sacrifices had reunited the warring clans—romance and love to thrill every human heart! The world-famous song throbbing with tender passion, brought marvellously to the screen as a love motif in the wide sweep of tragedy knowm as the massacre of Glencoe—the most dramatic page in Scotland’s history. Gaiety and ruthless passion. Love and grim terror. Blackest treachery hand in hand with a romance that has sung its lovely melody against the heart strings of the world. Wtih Norman Kerry as the irresistible Highland chieftain. Mystery, excitement, action and breath-taking beauty. Combining all the essentials of a mystery of the first order, a really charming love theme, action and astoundingly beautiful photography and scenery, “The Poacher,” featuring Helga Thomas, and directed by Johannes Meyer, this U.F.A. feature will also commence at this theatre to-night. It is a powerful romance of the Tyrolean Alps, which will charm, grip and delight in turn all those people who make it their business to view this fine feature. MARGARET BANNERMAN. fhe famous and brilliant London actress, Miss Margaret Bannerman, who is to make her first appearance in the Municipal Theatre on Monday, November 26, has just completed a brilliantly successful tour of the Australian States, w’here she and Mr. Anthony Prinsep’s London Company under the management of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., established new theatrical records in the four plays in which they will appear during their Dominion tour. The opening production will be "Other Men's Wives,” a delightful comedy-drama, which was specially written for Miss Bannerman by Walter Hackett, whose comedy “Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure” created a furore here some years ago. "Other Men’s Wives” gives Miss Bannerman unlimited opportunities for the display of her genius as a comedy and a dramatic actress; a genius that has won for her a name second to none on the English speaking stage today. It is said that on the opening night in Sydney she created a furore of enthusiasm

by her brilliant acting in the dramatic climax to the second act, the audience standing up en masse to cheer her again and again. Owing to the fact that Miss Bannerman has to make her re-appearance in Melbourne before Christmas the present New Zealand tour must be confined to a limited period but during the time she will appear in the two most successful plays in her vast repertoire “Other Men’s Wives” will be staged and it will be followed by “Our Betters,” There are over 30 specially selected artists in the company, including the talented English actor, Louis Goodrich, Lily Titheridge, G. Kay Souper, Herbert Milliard, Arthur Cornell, Miss Kerry Kelly, Pirie Bush, and Mr Ellis Irving. Each of the comedies will be staged on the same complete scale of completeness as when Miss Bannerman staged them in London. Box plans are open to-morrow morning at the Bristol.