AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 31 May 1923, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THE GRAND. That the lure of the turf is irresistible when it forms the basis of a haunting romance in filmtlom was abundantly borne' out last evening, when “The Kentucky Derby,” the universal Blue Ribbon Jewel/ featuring Reginald Denny, was released for the first time in Timaru at the Grand Theatre. A clever characterisation of a Kentucky mint julep colonel and his “chip-ofi’-the-oJd-bloek” son is seen in this production. But bigger than that from the standpoint ot popular interest is the staging of mammoth scenes in Kentucky, the home of the Derby. The actual Derby classic was filmed for the major scenes in the story. The entire Universal unit under King Baggot’s direction went to Louisville and Lexington, where estates of the famous Kentucky racing world were turned over to the film unit for use in the picture. The action is of the romantic, adventurous type. If Sir Walter Scott were alive to-day one could suspect him of having written it. As an actual fact Charles T. Dazey wrote the stage play from which it was adapted, and George Hull made the screen adaptation. “Human Hearts” marked King Baggot as one of the screen’s greatest artists in the direction of super-features, and “The Kentucky Derby” follows “Human Hearts” in Baggot’s career as an effort consistent with the pvevn ous achievement and yet of a marked difference in "character. \V here “Human Hearts”, was an epic of the simple country life, ‘the Kentue.vy Derby” is a romantic tale of widereaching adventure, centred, of comse, about the great turf classic. The supports are of a high order of merit, and include the Gaumonfc Graphic. free and Easy,” a two-reel Mermaid comedy full of fun and, frolic, and the lathe Pictorial.

theatre royal.

■ Tie first screening of the current programme at the Theatre Loyal last evening met an appreciative attendance and proved a really enjoyable entertainment. “Perjury, the \\ dlmm Fox special, which, created a ti emeu ficus sensation during its run in a Broadwav, New York, theatre, was the principal attraction, it is a gripping drama of acute human emotion, and held the audience spellbound to the end. Ao-ain and again, in the dim light of the theatre, handkerchiefs flashed white as William Farnum displayed the gnef of Robert Moore over the sorrows ot his family. The famous screen star is seen first as a vigorous man, happilv imaried, ambitious ami snccessfuh Piison gates close upon Robert Mooiy foi -0 veara, following an unjust conviction of murder, and his wife and efnldreii are tf>f+ to struffffl© o-lone in the woiltl. The Hast scenes show Robert, exonerated and pardoned cat 65 years, old for his age but with all bitterness and amnfosity eliminated in die crucible of long confinement, leaving a sweetness and gentleness of nature which aie exquisitely pathetic.. The Fox News a d n two-reel Sunshine comedy, - MM, Fed Vamp,” complete a mentouous programme.