AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16887, 7 August 1919, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

BEAUTIFUL NORMA TALMADGE ' AT THE GRAND. '•Her Only Way," the Select feature vhich commences to-night at the Grand Theatre, starring fascinating Nornri Talmadge, deals with tlio old triangle theme of the woman and two men and the man and two women, but told in an entirely novel manner. It has a most astounding climax that comes as a stunning surprise, it is so unexpected. The story tolls of the problem of marriage that confronts a young girl left suddenly unprovided for, and. how she makes her decision is unfolded in a series of incidents convincingly and realistically presented. Of course thework of Norma Talmadge requires no heralding, as her consummate artistry ensures the best possible result from any character she portrays. Only in this picture her perfect poise, the balanced harmony between the two extremes, comedy and emotion, every glance of her eyes and every movement mean reality. She is supported by Eugene O'Brien in a production of superlative merit thaJt lioflds 'and grips the attention from the first moment nntil the surprising cliraa,x arrives. The word Select is a guarantee of a good story ably produced under the best conditions, while the name of Norma Talmadge is a household word that stands for a charming, fascinating and beautiful personality, perfect, dramatic repiesentation, and the wonderful magnetic ability to universally attract and please. Norma Talmadge has the power to inspire svmpnlthy in an audience and _in. [ 'Her Only "Way," she thoroughly gains it from the commencement of the story. Jn the great court scene where she is tried for the murder of her faithless husband, her acting reaches great heights of emotion and inspiring realism. The production calls for lavish scenes which a.re staged in n most comprehensive manner. The production as a whole is undoubtedly the iineso this famous company has yet turned out, and as Norma Talmadge has a host of admirers, the picture is bouud to attract big houses. Other pictures include the 18th. chapter of "The House of Hate," and a lengthy English Gazette. Violet Capstiek has tastefully raranged a new musical programme. Reserves as usual. No extra charge.

FULLERS' TO-NIGHT. "STOLEN ORDERS." Fullers will present for this evening at the Theatre Royal and Friday even'irig in the Lyoeam a big 8-reel Brady■\Vorld super-feature "Stolen Ojdors'." The principals in the cast include firm favourites of both asxes. As the : Wife of Admiral Gaviston, of the United States navy, Miss Kitty Gordon, duped into stealing the sealed orders, has a thankless part to play, but she plays it with great aplomb. Mr Bladewell and Miss June Elvidge very ably fill t-Ke Jbill as the hero and the heroine respectively; and Mr Montague Love and Mr MeQuarrie also play their parts right well Superbly staged and ruounted, the play is very thrilling and spectacular. There are several novel features to the plot. The German system manages to get two Americans in its power and forces them to steal important information concerning naval movements that are sent to an American admiral. The wife of this admiral is one of the unwilling toolsand a 'man whoso love for 'hi-s sick child outweighs every other consideration, is the otJieiv ■ The incidents leading .up to the moment when the young naval officer wrests the orders from the Gorman, diploirat and gives him a thrashing are pieced together in '• a workmanlike manner. A hair-raising fight in a dirigible, the out-come of which is that the two-men fall inio the sen., is only one of the many thrilling episodes. The heroine also ' falls into' the water and is rescued by a hydroplane. Indeed this one picture contains enough incident,to make a couple of serials. The stow is a screen version of tbo famous Drurv L.in<» drama ".Sealed Orders," hut is brought ny. to date and much improved. Special facilities were granted by the Governments of America and Jtaly for the successful production of a great play. Sosnes of lavish lv gowned ladies are joulv small features. "Stolen Orders" will be supported by "The Pathe Gazette," and appropriate selection* V>v ihe Royal Orchestral Trio. Bookings will receive attention through phone,. Ci7o until 7 p.m. without extr.i charge

"THE BETTER 'OLE " The gieat Bannstathei pioduction, 'The Better '01.e," which has met with quite sensational success wheicvet it has been plajed or screened, .md which is now in 1.3 third yeai .in London is to be exhibited at the Theatre- Royal on Saturday. '.'The, Better 'Oxr," is a classic, all Butish make ]t i« a, pioduction 'chat runs the gamut oi all the emotions with, in esi«.nble enteit .lining qua l l tics. It is tho torn nice of Old Bill, and his two friends Alf. and Ber'* Bill is man Jed, Alf s _iu has lilted ltim loi a special constable while Beit has an impiesstonable li-uit and flits fiom flown lo flowet Old Bill catches sight of a. sp\ and fallow •> up *he clue, with the iculfc that he unc.uths. a plot t:> bhvv up a budge attei the Fiencli tioops li.uc passed acioss a, thu& cuttng off ibeu letieat Uc goes 'ovei the top" alt night, fiiii" the'spy in a mined building waiting ioi the ngnal to blow up the bulge Vfter dealing witih him Bill seta oft the explosion, beioro the tioops si it t md <=aves Hie chn His an est and rouitmaitial follow. The Fiench gciuial inquires about the soldm saved h,s men, one of the estannnet jiti Is saj* !t vas "tho old va'jus." md Bi 1 Js on the snot The tine- ra.ketoe.s pet leove for Blielilv tot ; ivonth and on ai rival BiH finds Ihnt hi- wife Magpie has bnugh a I ttlepub foi him w\ich "be Ins ehi ts-tetip-l The Bettoi 'O'e ' All the nctghbomjimd t= theio t<> MeVonip them and the Mtm at a met?' "ocn 1 of wejcmiic All tluough he pln\ ate sonivi hod \ niton's touches of the humour 'ilvrb has mad" 1 <=o fainus, while heie >nd there peiu'tii" pitho* ,t tinea's The "of Hip o-'d and thenew 'nines pi evades the whole jU lnosphore.