AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16820, 27 May 1919, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE GRAND. .' The audience which packed the Grand last evening w.ns delighted with the screening of the Metro 5-act superfeature -'ln Judgment Of." The picture, which was beautifully photographed and ideally mounted, abounded in gripping situations and tense moments which did not leave the audience a dull moment throughout the screening. The cast is an exceptionally strong one, and is headed by Anna, Q. Nilsson and Franklyn Farnum in a brilliant manner. Miss Nilsson is most ably cast in the role of Mary Manners, a beautiful young woman gifted with the uncanny powers of telepathy. The choice of Franklyn Farnum, too, as Jor John O'Neil, whoso parentage is a mystery, was a happy one. The story shows how a young woman acted when she found her lover in danger of his life because of the crime another man had committed. In the court room, presiding over the trial, sits the Judge (played 'by Herbert Standing). Mary Manners is a spectator of her lover's trial, and she has discovered the true perpetrator of the crime by means of her occult powers. The evidence is overwhelmingly against the innocent man, in whom she firmly, believes, and is set upon saving at all costs. With compelling insistence she holds the Judge's enze as one in a trance, and when at the conclusion of the trial the defendant is found ' guilty, Mary's hypnotic power induces the Judge to confess that he (the-Judge) is the guilty nerson. This scene is convincingly played by the superb cast of .supporting artists who understood their parts to a nicety. The nurture ends quite happily as the cloud which had for so long hung over the head of Dr O'Neil was rolled away by the help of his sweetheart. This romantic story of love and devotion should not be missed. An educational film and a Gazett9 were well received, as was also a delightful Christie, comedy, "All Dressed Up." Violet Capstick's orchestra added considerably to the evening's enjoyment and their rendering of selections from "H.M.S. Pinafore" is worthy of special mention.

FULLERS' PICTURES. "The Appearance of Evil," at the Theatre Royal last night, added fresh laurels to the banner of the World Film Company. It is an exceedingly fine production, starring June Elvidge, ever a favourate with Theatre patrons, and is original in every way. A widow marries an aeroplane manufacturer, and in order to assist him financially they have to keep the marriage a secret, as she loses all her money when she remarries. She Jives in a country village where she is visited by her husThis sets the servants' tongues wagging, and the scandal quickly spreads through the township, providing much munitions for the guns of the gossips. The "purity society" seta its fell machinery working, the servants all leave, the tradesmen refuse to call, and things generally look ugly for the two principals. The audience, have, like the inhabitants, been kept in ignorance of the marriage of these two, and they are as surprised when the secret is let out. . Although the drama for the most part is what one might call "heavy," there is a vein of mirth running throughout. Frank Mayo admirably interprets the part of the husband and his work combined with that of the principal lady was worth going a long way to se9. "The Toll of the Sea" was an unusually interesting film dealing with the various branches of the British Navy—the training depots, the reserve and the active service—and how they -ensure the safety of those who have to stay at home. In this film there were some excellent views of Admiral David Beatty on the deck of his flagship, accompanied by a number of his officers, this making quite the most striking picture of our Navy's head seen by Timaru people on the screen. The audience rightly thought this an excellent film, and showed their appreciation in no unootain manner. A Gazette and a ripping comedy are also on the programme, which is completed by the musical items rendered by the reorganised orchestra, which, played some extremely fine airs.

SKATING. Olympia was thronged yesterday afternoon for the day session, and tbo rink will be open to-day and to-night p or the pleasure of Timaru's young army of skaters. Excellent music will he provided this evening by the Olvmpia Band and a new lot of skate 3 will be on hand for distribution.