AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16817, 12 May 1919, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

MAY ALLISON AT THE GRAND. Twelve young men, picked personally by May Allison for her Metro play, "The Return of Mary," because they were exceptionally fine looking young fellows and good dancers, decided that they would like to "go over the top" together and so, in a body, stormed the recruiting station at Hollywood, Cal., where they were all accepted by "Uncle Sam. They will be seen in the ballroom and dinner scenes in this picture, which will be the attraction at the Grand Theatre, and in which the young star plays the appealing role of Mary. Miss Allison has always been very particular about the people who play small parts —even of those who only do "extra" work in her productions—and she had considered theee twelve young men a considerate "find." She was naturally disappointed when she found that they had all deserted lier in a bunch, but decided that she admired them move for their fighting and patriotic spirit than for 5 their daneimg, and would rather see them in khaki than in conventional evening clothes. The story is that of a young girl who at the age of three was supposed to have been kidnapped from the magnificent home of her wealthv parents who, through the long succeeding years never save up the search for their lost daughter. After many years have elapsed a man appears at the house with a beautiful girl of seventeen and announces that she is the stolen child—bringing is proof a tiny pair of shoes and a -baby cap which the overjoyed mother instantly recognises. Mary is taken into the Denby home, and loved as a daughteT-wthe son Jack being particularly attracted to his new-found e'ster. Later, with many dramatic situations, it is shown that Mary is really the daughter of a poor employ-ae of the •railroad. This causes great grief to the Denbys, who have grown to love the beautiful girl, but to Jack, the fnot that Mary is not bis sister is a delightful surprise and brines un visions of another and closer relationship. The romance, which date's from this imoortnut cfipoove'ry, is made a delight bv Miss Allison's acting and she is an instantaneous success with her audience SunrinTtvn i <r pictures include "Love and :i finlrt Brick." a olover Ohri°tie fwrirrlv "Life in Inland "Walters" scenic, and a lengthy "American Gazette."' A fine musical programme* in eludes +re latest American Revue h'ts.- Overture. "Poet and' Peasant." Reserves a<* ; usual at Grand, or by phone 486 No , extra charge. FULLERS' PICTURES. RETURN OF AN OLD FAVOURITE. It '."(s stome consjider&ble -time since charming- Bessie Barriscale has been; seen on the local 1 screen. Miss IJarri- ; scale ajttained great popularity, whifcfo hais not diminished. To-niglht's production is a- four square issue that has been directed by the famous T. W. Incs and as Pansy May, Bess ; e Barriscale adds nnbltihVr triumph to ht c r already long !ist of successes. The. pa,rt offers dpno' Canities tio heavily not alone with Iher emotional powers, but with her beauty and personality as weM. Miss BawJ'scale is suoported bv her husband in real life, Howard Hickman, and Jack Livingston is also in the cast. Pansy May Is taken from an orphan 'asylum and put at work in the kitchen and dining room of a boarding house. Pansy does her besi to please all, and when she gets into -a. compromising position with one of the boarders and is denounced by the man, who„ pretends to be fond of her, she is filled with a burning desire for revenge. Her chance does not come for several years. She is then a stage star of prominence, and Guy HenW, the object of her hate, the husband of the star boarder in the old days. HenJey recognises her, and falls madly in love with the jjx-wavfcress. - His wife also starts" a flirtation"" with an admirer and things look dark for a little baby m ;the Henley home until Dr. Thorpe, a friend of all. concerned, interferes.' Pansy is determined to lead Henley on to desert his wife and then throw him over, bitt the 1 doctor makes her accompany ln'm to the house, and shows her the baby. Her heart softens tcwa.rds it's parents, and she drops her plan for getting efven. "Films in support are the "Topical Gazette," a Keystone comedy "A Game _Gambfer." whilst the orchestral. music .is particularly fine. CHARLES CHAPMN ON THURSDAY The anxiousiy awaited Charles Ohaplm feature "a. Dog's Lite" will ue sjhiown by Fuliera oil Thursday even-5 ing.. This the firsK' filial fiitm that Chaplin has made marks the commencenrcnfb.of nas one million dollar contract foi whica amount Chapiin lias to make eight pictures. ~Tne enon-mous salary paid Jjo the happy Cihaxies; together with till© tremendous demand for h.S) pictures has made tlheirt so expensive chat in every town in the Dominion extra prices are necessary. ' "A Dog'a Life" wilJi be support-d by a brilliant vaudeville act entt'ed "The Two Gilberts," and . ■ Cons'cance Talmadge in '"The Studio Girl." Owing to tlhe extra length of programme the entertainment for Thursday, Friday and Saturday' I'venings will commence at 7.30 and ■ Fullers' regular idress circle patrons who wish to hfxve'i)ieir usual! seats' mav have lhera by ! applying to tbe Theatre Royal to-day- or ;ths evening. SKATING. The skating "season is in full swing now and is proving immensely popular, as is evidenced by the big gatherings at both the afternoon and evening sessions. The rink will be open tin's afternoon when patrons wiU be enabled to become proficient on tie rollers,, at a reduced admittance; fee. .The. ordinary session commences at 7.30 o'clock.