AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 24 September 1923, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

PULLERS’. At Fullers’ on'Saturday night there was a big audience, which evinced considerable interest iii the new programme. Heading tho bill is a new Goldwyn picture, “His Back Against the Wall.” In this many of the best \ character players of the screen may | bo seen in support of Raymond : Hatton, who has the leading role in a new kind of western picture. He I plays tho part of a coward who has ' to prove himself a hero. In the end his iovo for a girl makes a hero of him. \ In the moantime he undergoes all the j pangs of fear known to man or boast. I Yet Mr Hatton’s interpretation of tho ■ character, while faithfully depicting ; tho foibles of the lioro, presents him | to tho audience in a humorous light, j The fun in “His Back Against tho 'Wall” begins in the first reel and continues to the end of the last. In his presentation of tho lioro who is a coward at heart Raymond Hatton has the excellent support of a cast of players who have earned a lasting reputations on the screen. Among tire many artists who appear in the new Goldwyn picture are Virginia Valli, 'Virginia Madison, Will Walling, Gordon Russell, W. 11. Bainbridge, Fred Kohler, Jack i Curtis, Shannon Day, and Louis Morri- j son. The picture was directed by J Rowland V. Lee, and the admirable j settings were designod by Cedric Gibbons. i In support are screened a very fine : Topical Gazette and an equally good Pa t lie Pictorial. | j THE GRAND. 1 If laughter and tears he any criterion , of a photoplay’s worth then “The Good i Provider,” which opened at tho Grand Theatre on Saturday night, occupies a place at tho top of motion picture successes. Frank Borzago, who directed “Humoresque,” lias surpassed even that brilliant achievement in this now Fannie Hurst picture. Vera Gordon and Dcre Davidson, of “Humoresque’ ’ fame, aro featured. Miriam Battista, Vivienne Osborno and William (Buster) Collier, jun., also have important parts. It is a Cosmopolitan-Paramount picture, and is an epic of fatherhood. Its central character (Julius Binswan ger) is a merchant who by dint of unceasing toil, self-immolation, and devotion, raises his wife and two children from the status of Russian immi- j grants to comfortably-situated small- j town middle-class folk. And no sooner ■ ore they prosperous than Becky, Izzy, 5 and Pearl, the children, tiro of tho country town and long for the city—tho haven of girls searching for husbands, Few men can long resist the t

pleadings oF wife and children, and eventually they go -to New York, where Julius’s soul is daily seared by the blatant music of cabarets and soaring expenses. The old man. is driven to the wall, his health is breaking, his family neglects his wants and jibs at his “Old-fashioned ideas.” Then the break comes and bankruptcy confronts him. It is here that the great love story of the picture comes to its climax, bringing with it a realisation on the part of the mother and daughter and son of their selfishness and a determination to mend their ways. The ■picture is a typical Frank Borzage creation, with its pathos succeeded by 1 ich: humour, its benign outlook on life and its sympathy for humble folk who are so often misunderstpod. Supporting tho big picture is a comprehensive and highly interesting Gazette, and also 'an animated cartoon of verv interesting parts. To-day there will be a holiday neo“LIGHTS OF NEW YORK.”* AT FULLERS’ ON WEDNESDAY. “Lights of New York,” a visualisatiou of everyday life in tlie Metropolis, Mill be the feature attraction on Wednesdav at Fullers’, according to an announcement by the management of the theatre issued to-day. All the glitter and glamour of New York, the bright lights l of Broadway, which cast sinister sliadows along the narrow side streets leading from it; Fifth avenue, the promenade of the wealthy; AY all Street, which starts at a graveyard and ends in the river ; and the dull, threatening lights of the Bowery, all tell their tales of joys and tribulations in this new 1 William Fox special production, according to advance reports. “Lights of New York” was directed by " Charles J. Brabin, who, it will be remembered, staged the... other AA’illiain Fox story of New York night life, “AA r hile New York Sleeps,” which scored a distinct success throughout the country. A capable cast of screen artists will be seen in the numerous important roles in the production, including Alarc AlacDermott. / “TRY AGAIN, JOHNNY.”AIUSICAL COAIEDY COAIPANY. The “Try Again, Johnny” Company has now entered on its final week of rehearsals for tho production of the musical comedy which is being presented to the Timaru theatre-going public on Alonday and Tuesday October 1 aud 2 It is not often that Timaru enjoys the privilege of the “first night” of a musical production. Usually it is a case of taking what the centres of the world have finished with, which, of course fends to take away much of the pristine freshness which makes any play so attractive. In this case theatregoers will have the benefit of a feast of ballet and music, fresh from the producers’ hands. The last few days have been devoted to semi-dress rehearsals, and even now the colour schemes and settings are marvellous in their blendings. It is easy to see that when the various tableaux, ballets, etc., are completed, they will" form scenes of wonderful harmony and restful effect such as will delight the heart of any tired person. The box plan will open at the Bristol on Friday, September 28, at 9 a.m. The tickets that patrons purchase are to be taken there and the reserves will then be marked on the back. Intending patrons are advised to purchase their ticket's as soon as possible to save disappointment. Prices 3s 3d and 2s 2d.