AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16229, 27 March 1917, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

".WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES." THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. At the Theatre ißoyal this evening, Mr George WiHoughby's mtisicai daree company wiill produce the most laughable farce ever staged, "What Happened to Jones," by George H. JtiroadIrarst. Numbers of people are asking what did happen to Jones, anyway s Jones, played by George Willoughby, was a commercial traveller, of cycloiik methods, who travelled for- a hymnbook sold playing cards as a side line. One day he went to a glove contest and when the police raided the place, he broke out and ran. He found himself in the companyy of a terrified old professor, Ebenezer Goodly, and the latter's 'frolicsome prospective son-in-law, Richard Hetherly, and he hoi tec with them, to the Goodly homo. Learning that the police had tracked their down Jones allayed the fears of his companions aaid promised to put the officers of the law off the scent. To do so he dons the new clerical garb of the Bishop of Ballarat, Dr. Goodly, D.D. ; a brother of the professor, wlio is paying his relatives a visit after thirty years absence, and is( hourly expectedThus masquerading the resourceful Jones bluffed the police, deceived the entire household, amd incidentally wins the heart of Cissy, the professor's ward. During the action of the farce, there are several specially written songs aoid dances introduced, that send ' the show along -with a hapipy swing from the rise to the fall of the curtain. Mi Willoughby has many notable artists to support liim. The second production to-morrow night, will be "Why Smith Letft Home," with.. Mr Willougliby as "Smith.". This farce is also bj George H. Broadhurst, and will- he presented with songs and dances. Hie box plan- is at the Bristol, whore seats may be secured for the season. THE LYCEUM. The star picture shown at Hayward's Lyceum last night is 1 entitled ' "A Woman's Power," and features Douglas McLean as the hero., It is a> n.ilitary story, and every coene is packec with genuine thrills. The story is sei in the Philippine Islands in tho time of the Spanish-American war*. The heroine is a poor ignorant litt'e ri|aid of the mountains, but she possesses the "mysterious power to sway men's lives and destines." Her sweetheart was an assassin, but by her woman's power ' she made a man of the lad. When \>e is' many miles away from his little sweetheart he is bn the brink of committing a murder, ' her influence comes to him, and his hand is s:oyed. The final scenes are very dramatic. The acting throughout was splendid amd the settings very fine. An exceptionally fine Gazette was supported by three fine films—"ln French New Guinea," "Military Sports it Masterton (N.Z.)" and,a clever comedy, "The Wedding Day." In addition to . this programme, the Lyceum management will show the great picture, "Through the Wall," to-night, and tomorrow night. THE GRAND. The Grand, screened " fchpir r '"The Stolen Triumph" programme for the first time last night, before a 'ilarge audience. The whole cast is a distinguished one, some child pinye-s t- ing particularly successful. Mrs Stephen Hunt,-proud of Ler> husoo-'icl's £itcce«s as a business man, wants him to be known _as_a great play.v.-.ght.' She goads him into a false posr.'.ic-ii, r.nd be steals his friend's, play. Tragedy follows .tragedy in the life o! tlm real playwrights. But truth trmtii over deceit. Ihe wife learns of her linshandV false step,\ and ,i-! s nJ'nut rii/hting the wrongs that hare hoon clone How she does it is , clovoriv wn'-ked out. A' good Gazette, a clover emnedy "Tialvinn: a; Rest," and a beautiful Metro Travelogue ! were the supportmofilms. Mrs , Hurdloy's. orchestra playS ed pleasing selections throughout. \ PARAMOUNT PICTURES The manager tho 1 -Grand' ' has received tihe following letter from the Paramount Picture tier vice of New Zealand, i/imited. It makes interesting reading and' will be. welcome news to" picture pptrons and all lovers of higiiioiass screen acting:—-In reference to your visit to Wellington We have' pleasure in informing you that , we are booking you a regular service of ' 'Paramount;' subjects for the Grand Theatre, Timam. Whereas formerly ''Famous Players" and '"Lasfy" features were obtainable by other Theatres in your, town; this will, no longer bo the case, as from 7 now onwards tih'is Company is owned and controlled directly by the "Famous Piayefls Laskv Film Corporatio u" and the supply of theso subjects will he exclusive to your 'Theatre. We are shortly releasing the "Burton Holmes Travelogues" for the South Island, the first of which commences to-day (Maa'cli 24) in AVellington, These productions are wonderful and ma.gnifi.cent, a,nd are apart from anything yet produced and cannot fail toplease your patrons and further 'extend your business. Olga Petrova, Roscoe Arbuckle, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Fuller are all p.ow commencing i their first releases for "Paramount," and with this galaxy of stans you may look forward to assured success in the near future. Latest advices from New York inform us that the first release featuring Olga Petrova under , the "Laskv" standard is the "Mysterious Miss Terry." FULLERS' PICTURES. One of the most pictures ever screened in Timaru. "Through the Wali," was the star picture at the 'j heatre Royal last night. The story -'"ns on "Zigomar" lines, and is very c.overly worked out. Heidelmann is a master criminal who has set himself against the civilised world. Conauenil is a famous detective, whom chance lends to success in the apprehension of Heidelmann. The scenes are packed with startling actions, which kept the larpre audience last night spellbound, whde the picture was showing. Secret doors, trapdoors, sliding panels, and other criminal paraphernalia are in use,' and a thrilling scene depicted the tornedoing of an ocean greyhound. The end was fitting for such a story. Tho pictures were also verv good. "The Tnterrnptped Honeymoon" is a r-ipver comedy. foatm-ing a clever chimpanzee maid of all work. "A Visit to an OViservatorv" was a verv interestincrfi film. "Through the Wall" will be added to the programme a,t the Lyceum to-night and to-morrow night. BILt.IE BURKE. WOMANLY CHARM. Every woman cannot he beautiful, but every woman can be charming if she wishes —and will take the trouble. Every woman courts admiration. Tc get it she must deserve; it. She must win it by her charm, which is more potent- than beauty in attracting and holding the affections of both men and women. On the stage the beauties are geneially found in tho chorus, the principals may or may not be comely, bat they invariably have charm. Than Miss Billie Burke there is no more charming woman on the stage to-dav, -Hid few more beautiful, and because of this rare combination of qualities, though f, ".11i0 Burke had boon seen in only one photoplay in Australasia,

■ "Peggy,"' her- fame spread like wild fire. What other actress lias score< ancih.. a' suiocess >m such limited scope? On Thursday evening Fullers' intern showing her m "Gloria's Romance," ii ■which Miss Burke runs the whol< gamut .of human emotions—througl lieart-free schooldays, through , tha greatest period of a woman's life, th l mating time, the awakening of love in sickness and idespondency, temper in hate and fierce longing for revenge But through it all she is-*charmmg This it if. tJiat makes Billie Burke th beloved of all, and makes her one o : the highest salaried'women on th* stage.' A Triangle feature drama "Somewhere in France." will figure 01 •'fhfe same programme. Reserves at tlii Bristol. ; ■ .■ ,