AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 19 June 1925, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THE GRAND, “CURLT TOP.”

Another of Thomas Burke’s celebrated “Liniehouse JNignts” stones has been transferred to the screen ' vlLll amazing results. The latest is ‘ Crulj Top,” that appealing story of the little gutter-snipe, with tho beautilul blonde curls, wno was the envy of ull the girls, and the favourite of all the men of. London’s Chinatown. “Curly Top ” starring Shirley Mason, opened at the Grand Theatre last night to a good house. In this picture tnero is an authentic atmosphere that adds much to. its success. Miss Mason is admirably titled for the saucy JLlurite heroine., but along comes a rival and olf come the ■cause of the unrest, the beautiful girls curls. Shorn and pitiable, •‘Curly Top” seeks to fly in order to prevent her sweetheart from seeing her minus what she considers her chief charm. She falls into tho clutches of Shanghai Dan, a white man who had lived so long in this meeting place of the Orient, that ho was more yellow than white. A fate to be dreaded is m store for her. The picture has a great climax and should not be missed by lovers of good entertainment. Wallace McDonald plays the role opposite Miss Mason effectively, and Warner Oland s interpretation of _ “Shanghai Dan” is capable and convincing. Special mention is earned by Diana Miller- for her excellent work in the role of “Bessie, tho jealous rival of “Curly Top.” A further episode of the serial “Tho Purple Riders,” the “Fox News, and an enjoyable comedy “Tho Pinkhead,” makes a very attractive supporting programme.

“THE SLANDERERS.” A SPECIAL PRODUCTION. The change of programme in Fullers’ schedule saw the initial screening of “The Slanderers,” m me Lyceum last evening. The picture is one. of the most recent Universal, productions, and is worthy of being classed as a special. Two brothers, their mother, and a foster-sister, live on a farm not far from a village. On his deathbed the boys’ father made liis brother executor of* the estate. The uncle is an unscrupulous man, and soon has the widow and her boys subjected to his whims. Roth boys are in love with their foster-sister, who is fond of them both, and treats them impartially. The younger brother endured brutal treatment from his uncle, and on one occasion restrained himself for •■■he sake of his invalid mother. Then corners tlio call to arms for the great war, and the younger enlists. The older is refused, and told ho can best serve the army by raising food. The night before the younger mail goes away, lie learns that the uncle plans to deprive them of tho farm, and he goes to his uncle’s homo to remonstrate. As a result the uncle dies, but tho boy does not know it, and not until after he return:! from France, a hero widely acclaimed by his home town, does ho learn of the tragedy that had beset his loved ones. A happy realisation is ultimately reached for the three. Tho supports includo two highlv amusing comedies “Green Trees” and “Clear the Way,” and an interesting “Universal News.”

“GOING UP,” SATURDAY. Nothing in tho air stopped him. Ho went up to the sky, lie flew to the right and left and turned somersaults and cartwheels with his machine. Then lie came down. It was the wreck of a perfect day. Meaning Douglas MacJjean is very funny in his newest him, “Going Up.” This joyous feature comtdy has a remarkable record on the stage, and tho screen adaptation is packing theatres everywhere. Fullers, will screen. “Going Up” on Saturday, and in order to avoid confusion, the box plans will open at tho Thoatre Royal to-day.

i “THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. ”

Tho Theatre Royal rang with the shouts of delight of the hundreds of happy youngsters who gathered there yesterday afternoon, when Unlimited Charities gave a matinee for the special benefit of school children who were unable to attend either of the Company’s evening performances here. Although children attended in large numbers, there was also a good sprinkling of grown-ups, and the latter appeared to extract quite as much enjoyment from tho pantomime as the younger folk. Tho piece was gone through in its entirety, little short of three hours being devoted to its production, and it went with a swing from start to finish. Marigold, “Tho Sleeping Beauty” (Miss Audrey Cracroft-Wilson), was very happily cast, as were all tho principals, of whom there is a largo number, and they, with all the lesser but very attractive partakers in the piece, made up a gay and brilliant company. The fact that the cast of “characters” included a monkey, a lieu' and a donkey, caused great delight in the juvenile mind, especially the kicking donkey, which behaved wildly when asked to transport some members of the gay party, per medium of an.old-time hansom cab. With regal'd to the singing, it must be said that this was bright and tuneful, this applying both to the solos and to the melodious choruses of which there was an excellent selection. 'ldle graceful dances were : Iso a delight to watch, the wee tots doing particularly well in this respect. As if spice werei needed —though it was not — there was no lack of witty allusions and mirth-provoking actions, and the whole pantomime was put on in a manlier which indicated an admirable knowledge of stage craft. The lighting effects and the orchestral music each met tho desired end, and the production as a whole was a credit to thoso who were responsible for it. | There was again a large and enthusiastic audience last night when tho panto was finally staged hero. “The Sleeping Reautv” will bo staged in Christchurch next month, and it is understood that it will be played in Temuka at an early date.

A SOUTHERN ROMANCE To-day, Hawaiian music is heard in dance hull, drawing room, and cabaroc tho world over, just because its music and its songs are a natural gilt. Its melodics, mostly folk songs, preserve beliefs and habits of a romantic and imaginative peopie. Another tiling the Hawaiians have taught us is that jazz is not necessarily a conglomeration of bizarrei noises. As play id by tho Hawaiians jazz music becomes insinuating and flexible, and tile drummer is heard in harmonv but never obstructive. Kaai’s Hawaiian Troubadours who will rc-appear at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday next June 113 under the direction of E. J. Carroll, the well-known Australian entrepreneur, have had a remarkable success in America and the East, where they appeared before H.R.IT. the Prince of Wales at his personal request. Mr Kaai is himself a i compositor of note and a fine musician. The remainder of tho company are :Vom Honolulu, personally selected by ■ i r Kaai for their versatility and ability as singers, dancers and performers on both European and Hawaiian instruments such as tho ukulele, while tho European instruments used are tlio mandolin, harp, guitar, banio, piano, saxophone and xylophone. Tho programme is divided into two pails, the first consisting mostly of Hawaiian items sung in Hawaiian tongue, and the second includes jazz, as interprtod by the Hawaiians. up-to-date “hits,” hula and tieklotoe dances and choruses. The second version of a “Night in Hono-

lulu” includes new dances, now songs and new items, and should prove a veritable delight. The box plants now open at the Bristol, and intending patrons should book without delay to avoid disappointment.