AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 April 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

GLORIA SWANSON AT THE GRAND If Miss Gloriy, Swanson sets the fashion; there will be no more bobbed hair. She ivas a bobbed-hair heroine in “The Humming Bird,” and “Zara,” and several other recent Paramount pictures, but she is bgek again at the Grand Theatre this afternoon and evening with flowing tresses. Apart from the question as to which stylo her admirers like most, long hair is certainly better suited to the character she represents in “Her Love Story.” Here she is a bewitching B,alkan princess whose love causes all sorts of complications. The little princess, daughter of a Russian arch-duke, secretlv marries a handsome captgin of the guards. .To her consternation, the areluluke, after the manner of selfish fathers, offers her in manage to the king of neighbouring country, in order to enrich himself. The ,archduke is strongwilled n.nd. unrelenting, nn<3 the second marriage ceremony is gone through. Later, the queen is banished from her new country. From that time until the end of the story she fights valiantly for her son, in sorrow and suffering, and at the cost ot heavy sacrifices. The theme is not so much the love of a, woman for a man as the love of a mother for liei child. J.n addition, to the glamour ,and glitter oi a European court, there comes into the story the historical Cossacks, represented as tall, slender, heavily moustached, and splendid horsemen, and tho gypsies. The director engaged Baroness Hedemann to take the part of the heroine’s mother, and to advise, on points of court etiquette. The ihass of other players in “Her Love Ktom. stamps , them as Russians, and then manner ,and bearing support the claim that they once served the - impel lal .armies of the Czar. Opposite Miss Swanson, however, is a young Ameucan player, Mr lan Keith, who appeared first in “The Silver- Fox. He is the man the queen loves. . Mr George Fawcett is the forbidding old aicliduke, and Mr E Gayer the king. Th.e moral of “Her Love Story” is that to. bm a queen is not an easy task—not m the Balkans at least. Supports Y two-reel Christie comedy. Getting Gertie’s Goat-,” “Burton locue ” and a lengthy Amencan Gazette ” Patrons are advised to phone Reserves, early. Theatre telephone 486. I’

FULLERS’ DOUBLE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME. ' TO-NIGHT ONLY. Fullers’ have always had the name of providing something exceptionally good m the matter of holiday and those fortunate enough to Witness this evening’s programme at the Ihentre Royal, will have the satisfaction of realising that their money has been well spent. Two very special, feature films will bo .shown for to-night only. From one point of view marriage m the most joked about, state m th Anglo-Saxon world, and it is Horn this angle Ynat Elinor Glyn deals with the theme. She adds just a sufficient spice of the serious, to make the balance pern, feet. A particularly strong cast has been chosen, including such prominent players as Marie Brevost, Monte Blue, Creighton Hale, Billy Francisco, - Vera, Lewis, and Claude Gillmgwater. Although'the authoress has gained some*tiling in the way of notoriety with some of her .previous works, there can be no exception w-batover taken to “How to Educate;a Wife,” which is genuinely humorous. The story deals with- the fortunes of two"- middle-class couples. One young husband is an insurance agent, and the other an architect. In the case of the last-mentioned,' the wife is of the butterfly type, and brings her husband business front men from whom she has not been too careful ifi hide her charm. The other*, couple have a struggle for existence, and when the young wile attempts to gain business for her husband on lines similar to those adopted by his friend’s wife, there is a whole-hearted little dispute, which leads to separation. Eventually rho couple are reunited after the most amusing series of episodes, but where the one gate shuts, the other opens—the architect's wife runs away with one of his clients.

No. 2 attraction is Richard Talmadge in the peppiest and. most laughable photoplay ior many a clay, entitled •■fast Company.” There is an especially strong east, which includes such screen personalities as Richard Talmadge, Mildred Harris, Snitz Edwards, ■Douglas Garrard, Sheklou Lewis, Jack Herrick and Charles Clary. Briefly, the story deals with the life of a modern moneyed young man in the United States. However, it must not be thought that the picture is one of the “moral” type in that it forces a sermon on those who go for pure amusement. * It comes up tf> the highest expectations and leaves one with the feeling of having enjoyed the best of entertainment. The story of the piece deals with the adventures of a young man who is introduced to his audience in tho act of being expelled from college. He is cut off by his father with; the proverbial shilling—one hundred dollars in this instance—and gravitates to the boxing ring, where lie wins no small amount of prestige for his prowess with the gloves. Incidentally he is culled upon to protect the interests of a pretty girl, who Is the victim of an unscrupulous lawyer, and how lie manages to do this, and at the same time win for himself a wife, forms the most exciting part of the picture. The latest Pathe Gazette includes news up-to-date, and the latest fashions. The Royal orchestra will brighten the entertainment with selections in good taste, mnlc.r the guidance of Mrs Agnes Scott, A.T.C.L., L.A.B. Box plans will be at the ■ Theatre Royal office. Guaranteed phone reserves will be accepted until V p.m.

A NEW STAR SOPRANO. Under the heading of “A new stai soprano,” the Sydney “Daily '1 elegiaph” recently drew attention to aliss Ethel Osborn on her re-appearance alter a lengthy New Zealand tour, deser’bing her as “a genuine artistic vocal sensation.” Other Sydney critics followed suit, and through iliO’ personal influence of Lady de Chair, wife of the Governor of New South Wales, Dame Nellie Melba has been led to interest herself in the young singer, whose voice she considers the most wonderful she lias conic across for many years, with its lovely quality and remarkable range, which extends evenly and without flaw from U flat below the stave to the fj flat in altissimo, octaves above, 'ihat there is a great future in grand I cpci-.i for Miss Osborn, is Melba's opinion, and she has given the first £IOO lowards the £ISOO necessary for launching her on an operatic career abroad. Miss Osborn will give one concert only m the I heatro Royal on Mondav, the 20th.

WILLIAM HEUGHAN’S FAREWELL CONCERT. ~/\ eoec,J "B' t 0 vor .V numerous requests, v ‘llium Heughan, the great singer and actor, whose appearance recently aroused such great enthusiasm, lias decided to give a farewell concert in the Theatre Royal on Monday 1 , 21st inst. Since'his last appearance here lie has been adding to lies successes, and everywhere the Press and public have been loud in praise. As an interpretative artist he is undoubtedly unique, a nil with great vocal ability and

dramatic talent his interpretations are something to remember. His numbers are colourful pictures, painted with thrilling tone and gesture, which leaves no doubt in the minds of liis hearers as to the true meaning of his songs. He lyts been acclaimed “A Master of Song,” and a master he is, for he is capable of rendering operatic aria, classics, and folk-songs of different countries in a manner only possible by a truly great artist. We quote the “Daily Telegraph,” Sydney“ The in-, comparable basso, such is his amazing versatility, which, aided by a voice ot singular beauty ,and power, and a most engaging personality, stamps lnm as one of the richest bassos who have visited this country. His voice is rich and vibrant throughout its remarkably extensive rpnge, and perfectly "'controlled —more than a singer, lie is an accomplished actor.” He is happy in having as an assistant artist Hyman Lenzcr, the sensational young Australian violinist, who made his first public appearance at six years; and who now, though but twenty years of age, has scored many great successes. the beauty of his art is such that it nevei fails to appeal, and he is one who must soon take his place in the ranks of the world’s greatest violinists. Gjadys Sayer, who acts in the dual capacity of solo pianiste and accompanists, lips oreat power and interpretative abihtj as a soloist, pnd as an accompaniste, possesses that true sympathy and understanding so essential in this spheie. They undoubtedly form -a trio such as we but seldom, if ever, fiave tho oppo - funitv of hearing in this citj, and tins last opportunity of hearniK them prior to their departure for the United otatcs and Canada should on no account missed.