AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 30 May 1923, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

j WILLIAM FAKNUM. , i AT FULLERS’, TO-NIGHT. j i “Perjury,” a-William Fox superspecial J which has been a tremei.aous success, is scheduled for a the Theatre Royal this evenng >rs remarkable feature of niut p e sents William Farnuiu m u 1 ole lav in several essential respects to that el Jean Valjean in Victor Hugos “Les Miserables,” in which this iaiuous emotional screen star made a tremendous hit. Re viewers and. theatregoers, during the run of ‘Xerjuiy in. the metropolis,' declared that \\ilham Farnuiu surpassed all former efforts iu the exnression of human emotion. They predicted that the gripping photodrama will establish itself permanently as one of the classics of the screen. “Perjury” provides a supreme test of William Farnuiu’s dramatic genius, for, in the role of Robert -Moore he runs the gamut of human -emotion. Ihe hero first is seen as an active, __ ambitious factory superintendent of 45, happy in his home life and in the friendship which his engaging personality has won for him. Jealousy and dread grip las mind, followed bv'red rage and finally despair. Then the prison gates close upon lain for twenty years, during which the inherent gentleness and sweetness of las nature develop in remarkable degree. The' family is left, outside prison walls, to misery and pathetic struggle. Through tire: long 'term in prison Robert develops a kindliness raid saintliness of character which endear him to the warden and guards. There is pathos in the situation, but the tragic element lias passed. The scene in which the prematurely aged convict loaves the prison, and those immediately following, are said to he the .most touching portrayals ever given by 'William FarnuniFor the pieturising of “Perjury” the enormous space at the Fox -plant in New Fork known as the “big studio” as well, was turned over to the Far- : man Company. Twenty-four separate interior sets were erected for the elaborate production, including a large courtroom for the murder trial scene. The cast of “Perjury” includes’ Sally Crate, Wallace Erskine, John Webb Dillion, Frank Shannon, Frank Joyner, Grace La Veil, Gilbert Rooney and Albert Mann. Harry Millarcle directed the production. Supporting films include the Fox Gazette, and a joyous sunshine comedy entitled “The Milk Fed Vamp.” Seats may be booked without extra chargethrough phone 570. “THE KENTUCKY DERBY,” AT THE GRAND; 1 Picture patrons at the Grand Theatre this, evening will he treated to an exciting series of thrills, including shipwrecks, lights, rescues and a spirited horse race, when “The Kentucky Derby,” a Universal super screen version of the old thriller “The Suburban” will be screened. Those wlio remember Charles T. Dazey’s famous melodrama will find iu the picture all j the suspense, the flavour and the en- ! tertaimnent which gripped tile gallery | gods of a decade or so ago, plus a new understanding of the story and more j vivid climaxes made possible by screen technique. King Baggott, the director wlio made the picture, filmed much of it at the exact scenes of the story, on the stock farms around Lexington, Kentucky, j and at the Churchill Downs race track j near Louisville, lie managed to catch on the screen all the romance of the Blue Grass region and the true atmosphere of the land of thoroughbreds. iln fact, actual pictures of the Kentucky Derby won by Aiorvicli arc used ! as a part of the thrilling action of the 1 screen feature. | Reginald .Denny who Las become a. ! .screen idol by reason of his work iu j. “The Leather Pushers,” a picturisaj tion of H. C. Witwer’s amusing prize ring stories, takes the lead in “The Kentucky Derby,” ably supported hy a cast of superior quality. Denny take. | the part of a young Kentucky boy who r is thrown out of his homo because nl his mariiage witlr the daughter of a I stableman. The cast includes Lilian Rich, Emmett King, Gertrude Astm Walter MeGrail, Lionel Belmore, Wil ford Lucas, Harry Carter, Kingslev Benedict and others. The supporting programme contain, the latest Gaumont Graphic, sliowiii.-; snaps of the great Pole recently held at Crystal Palace, London, and som • magnificent yacking on the Canadian Lakes,- the “Empress of Scotland” in dry dock ami competitors iu 1 rainin'; for the ski-ing competition. A Mm- ! maid comedy, entitled “Free and | Easy,” and a lengthy “Pat ho IVj lorial.” Patrons arc advised 1 o pheu - l their reserves early. ’Phone ‘let;.