AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 9 May 1925, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

“BROADWAY AFTER DARK.” AN 8-REEL SPECIAL.

“Broadway After Dark,” an eightreel Master Picture) is the headliner on the Theatre Royal programme this evening. It deals with the romance of that elusive creature, the man about town, who is entirely different from message boys, tramway conductors, and politicians. Adolphe Menjou plays the part of one of those men, and there are two very pretty and popuar actresses, decorated with tiaras and monkey fur, as seductive and fascinating women about the town, played by Anna Q. Nilsson and Carmel Myers. But there is one girl who is poor, beautiful and humble, the slavey in a theatrical boarding • house. , Norma Shearer, the delightful Canadian stur. plays this role simply p.nd effectively. Tho story tells of Ralph Norton (played by Adolphe Menjou) who was born with a diamond-studded spoon in his mouth, tiring of Broadway’s life when his “fancy” becomes interested in another man. Ho therefore seeks interest in a theatrical boarding-house, where he eventually finds tho “right girl” in Roso Diilano (played by Norma Shearer). In this house somo amusing scones have been taken, as well ns some rather dramatic ones. For instance, one observes the varied typos eager for their morning bath. The Cinderella of tho piece, who has been sent to prison, turns up as a-, domestic in the boarding-house. Hero it Was that Norton realised that she was the “right girl” for him. Ho sends her ns his ward to his home, and here one is reminded of Shaw’s “Pygmalion, except that the girl never disappoints her benefactor. Certainly people who live awav from New York are going to get the idea that, Broadway is an exceedingly gay and giddy place. Some might even ho lured Broadwaywards by tuo gorgeous scenes of revelry in “Broadway After Dark.” , Supporting films comprise .a lightning comedy “Robbing the Rube,” and the “Pathe Gazette.” The popular Royal Orchestra’s work is always a pleasure, and under the direction of Mrs , Agnes Scott, A.T.C.L.. L.A.B.,.they will offer many delightful musical numbers. Seats may be booked through ’prone 570 For this afternoon’s matinee one" added feature - will b© Charles Chaplin in “The Idle Class. ■

“MANHATTAN” AT THE GRAND.

“Manhattan,” the star picture on the new programme at tho Grand Theatre tins afternoon arid evening, tells the , story .of Peter Alinuit, a* wealthy young idler who longs for romance and adventure. • He arrays himself in an old suit of clothes, and starts cheerfully for Hell’s Kitchen, determined to. take a hand in anything that promises excitement. But everything is strangely still and orderly, and Peter, sadly disappointed, returns home. Bach in his own library Peter is about -to opon his own wall safe when he Rears the,. sb,arp command : “Hands upl” He turns to face an automatic in the hands of a cool young gunman, who answers to tho name of Bpike, and belongs to Bud M’Qinnia'a gang. Minuit gets a bright idea: ha convinces Spike that ho is none other than- “Gentleman George,” a safeblower. and suggests that they team up. Spike agrees, and takes him back to Hell’s Kitchen. Hero Peter meets Mary, Spike’s sister,, and shortly- afterwards Alary promises to marry him. Bud M’Girinis, the sinister czar of Hell’s Kitchen, claims Mary, lor his own, and threatens Peter with death unless he clears out, , Peter decides to prepare to give M’Gizmift'tho beating) of his life. He begins trpinuig ito a rough-and-tumble fight, P etor persuades Alary and Bpike to leave the old life, and takes Alary, to his I* ifth Avenue, house, but Spike is caught by M’Gihhis’s gang, ; and forced to reveal his sister’s whereabouts. Bud orders his gunmen to shoot the young millionaire oil sight. Learning of this, Alary returns to Hell’s. Kitchen, ,Peto t ‘ follows,-' catchts the 'gang chiof in his owh deh, 1 ahd. gives him . a terrible trimming. , A bullet from, cm© m • M’Ginnis’b own gunmen removes the M’Ginnis menace, forever., Peter takes Mary homo to his mansion to begin life all over again . Richard Dix plays the part of Peter Minuit,-and Jacijueline Logan that of Alary, The supporting, programme contains a tworcol Christie corned v “Sap and Sane,” a charming scenic showing “Life Oil ah Australian Cattlo ofcation ( aiul ft lengthy “American Gazette.” Patrons are advised to avoid disappointment by reserving their seats early. Phono 486. •

i Mr E. J. Carroll announces that Harry Laiicler will open for one night . only at the Theatre itoyal on Tuesday, 19th May, at 8 p.m. It is now Homo years since Sir Harry last appeared in Tunaru, and since that time he has been practically around the wholo of the civilised world, and in every town he has visited wild scones of enthusiasm have been witnessed. In many townf Six' Harry was beseigod, and the police had to be called in to effect his rescue, everybody wanted to shako him by tlie hand. “Did Sir Hairy .Lauder shake.- you by the handP Didn’t he? Well, well, he shook mine. I never felt so proud in my life.” In India, China, Japan, Malay J3traits ; and all round the Far East ""enthusiasm was at fever heat. Traffic was stopped in the streets whenever he appeared. Sir Hairy did a long tour of the East. In fact, bo has just come from there, and needed a rest, for his experiences have taken a lot out of him, but lie is mado of the l-eal Scottish met.nl that never breaks. In -• the East, in the most trying of warm, sultry, and oppressive weather he often sang ns many as twelve songs a night, told stories, .attended functions, opened bazaars, new buddings.

HARRY LAUDER,

etc, Sir Harry Lnuder is otic of Britain’s greatest ftinbflssadors j his patriotic zeal is so infectious that 3m compels people to take a sensible view cA life, and a ffosh interest in the countries of their adoption for tho countries’ good. His intense earnestness on industrial questions, and his commoncoiise view on the economic questions of tho day arc a power for ..good, and many a renegade spirit hos b&sti turned to tho right path after one of his most eloquent personations. Such is tho mail who comes to entertain us for an all too short season, A very , fino company supports tho great entertainer, and as tho prices,aro reasonable, them can be no complaints. Booking opens on Wednesday, 13th iust,