AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 170147, 19 February 1920, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

WEIRD ORIENTAL DRAMA AT THE GRAND. Often we read of the weird and curious customs and beliefs of the mystic Orient, but seldom do w e set a glimpse of the actual life lived by these goidenskinned, almond-eyed and treacherous Chinese. However, in to-night's bio-six-reel special feature entitled "The I agan God." real Eastern atmosphere hj, shown. Ike story is a gripping one of a Mongolian conspiracy, with the <rreai ciramatio actor H. 13. Warner in the ■leading role. This photoplay is described as having a charming love story botweei. the American secret operative in China and the daughter of an American collector who is visiting China with her father. Tai, a woman of Chinese and French parentage, aspires to become, the next ruler of Mongolia, and she becomes infatuated, with the young American secret service man. His own. American fiancee scorns him for his apparent desire for the society of the Chinese Cleopatra. Tai has an Oriental lover, who also becomes jealous of the American, and he plots to put his rival out of the May. He causes him to be falsely ascused of the theft of the Pagan God, and he abducts th e American girl and her father. The rescue of his sweetheart and her parent is responsible for a number of thrills, and the hero finally succeeds in also overthrowing the chief conspirators in the impending revolution. A tragic ending for tEe Oriental plotters and future happiness for the hero and heroine is the finale of "The Pagan. God." Other pictures are "Victory Gala at Lyall Bay," a local Topical, "Girlies and Grubbers," a screaming two-reel Vitagraph comedy, lengthy English Gazette, and a Y.M.C.A. film, "River Trip to Hampton Court with the Diggers." A special feature of the evening is the glorious musical programme arranged by Violet Capstick. .Reserves as usual.

NORMA TALMADGE IN "THE PROBATION WIFE." Full'es' will present their current programme this evening; at the Lyceum in its entirety. The entertainment is beaded by Norma Talmadge in "A Probation Wife." A wife on probation Miuuds like some new experiment in the marriage system, but pretty Norma TaliiKuige shown in her delightful study of "A Probation Wife" that the idea belongs to the sweet! propinguity to make two Tit arts beat as one. The new production, an, excellent film by .Select Studio, tells the story of Jo Mowbray, a cafe girl who becomes a. member of New York's most exclusive set, the famous "Four Hundred." A police raid on the cafo. results in Jo being sent to the reformatory, from which she escapes after two years of slavoydom. She then lives with a wealthy New Yorker, who marries her. though she reserves to herself the. status merely of a probation wife. How she wins Ids love, and he hers, makes a charming idyll, beautifully acted and gorgeously dressed. Norma Talmadge, as Jo the cafe girl, has added another notch to her tally of successes. At the end of the second year she escapes. On the train ?-he sees Harrison Wnde, and offers herself to him for pretty clothes, a. home, and whatever else he may be willing to snve. She receives the surprise of her life when Wade informs her that- he is going to marry her. Jo soon becomes established in Wade's home, acting as liis wife in name only. She calls herself liio probation_wiie. Huntley JMc-Vlerton, an elderly aristocrat, looks very familiar to her. They become very friendly, and Wade, believing they arc in love with inch other, starts divorce proceedings. Surprise follows surprise, and things turn out as never expected. "The Cave of Dread" is the episode of "The Lightning Rai'der,'" and its two-reels fairly teem with sensation. The Pathe Gazette and another of the famous postnaure scenic studies, " 'Midst Peaceful Scenes," will also be screened. Seats n-ay be booked through the Theatre Royal phono as usual.

. "DAMAGED GOODS." A REMARKABLE FILM The reproduction in moving picture form of Eugene Brieux's "Damaged Goods"' was officially screened for the first time yesterday, and this afternoon and this evening the sessions will be for_ women only. The production, while preserving the essential features of the play, adds some introductory scenes without which the screen scenario would have that, relentless baldness which was the main characteristic of Brieux's medico drama.. One addition, for instance, which rather improves. the-' lesson of the plav, is a series of examples of the effW-ts of the disease dealt with, which are introduced naturally into the incident of the story and used with excellent discretion t~ enhance the point of the plav without offending ordinary- susceptibilities. Tim picture succeeds in conveying the lesson without sensationalism or catering to vulgarity, and it will probably carry a much more widespread message to the public than did the play, in "riroDagaring the gospel of srdf-knowledge in "the interests of society generally. 'The subject of "Damaged Goods"" is too well known to need recital. However mipleasant, it has undeniably.au to a great many people. ' Its appeal is largely to the _ young, to young men es_ peciallv, who in the course of a'•'nightout" tbpughtlessly expose themselves to infection by a. loathsome disease. The segregation 0 f the sexes at the Severn.l sessions; is a. mere provision, for whil? there is nro'-iably nothing in the pict-"-«- r, mixed audienoe of adults m : ght object to, the division of patrons at special sessions removes any possibili'tv of embarrassment, and • tends +.o promote a freedom of discussion which on-i----nnt but r°nd th« veil of secrecy, y,nt unremovrr?. jnsy mean the pei-p?ti-;i.tin.»i r „j nn .^„ f , in( .: o ,, „ f 1 ,„,. 1 . 0 ,., „,.,.,-,„.,!.._ able. "Damaged Goods" will be sere<»nVl this ovpninT. f-*r women only.■-:' Box plans are at tins Bristol