AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 19 March 1926, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

FULLERS PICTURES. If “Peacock Feathers” created a sensation in novel form, it created a still greater sensation in pictorial form as seen at Fullers last night. Its honesty, its beauty, and its true-to-life characteristics all recommend it, and last night’s big audienco followed it with intense interest. It is a Universal-Jewel picture, in which the popular Jacqueline Logan and Cullen Landis are seen to very’ great advantage. In its picture form, none of the attractive comedy parts have been dropped. The story’ concerns a boy and a girl, both of whom are poor. 'J’he girl, once rich, is a member of St Louis society, while the boy is a struggling college graduate. Fearing poverty, the girl is about to marry a rich man, when the boy’s uncle dies, leaving him a ranch believed to be of great value, according to the uncle. The boy convinces the girl that he can now take care of her, and they marry, leaving for tho ranch. Arriving, they lind it an old shack on barren soil. Tho girl promptly accuses the hoy of lying to her, and their troubles begin. 'The girl, whoso symbol of pride is the peacock feather, also an emblem on tho family escutcheon, learns that pride is not compatible with real living, and in the end has her love tested and proven when her husband is caught in an avalanche sweeping down the mountain side. In addition to tho big picture, thero were delightful supports, which included an informative edition of the “Universal News” and a very bright Century comedy’. The Royal Orchestra, as usual, supplied very' tuneful music.

THE GRAND. Drawn, no doubt, by the announce nieut that a novelty would be presentee at the Grand last night, there was i large audience to see the first production in Timaru of wliat are known a; “Stcrcoscopiks.” They caused eudles: excitement, as the figures stand oul from the screen.and appear to gel right among the audience. Colourec glasses (red and blue) are supplied tc each member of the audience, and through the use of these the lllusioi: is complete. It is not necessary here to go into a scientific explanation ol “Stereoscopiks,” but to all those whe are familiar with the old stereoscope of postal cards of their childhood days, the secret will not be very baffling. Sulfico it to say that “Stereoscopiks” give the thrill which is always welcome at a picture show. The glasses referred to have to he returned aftei each showing. “The Man Who Came Back” was the big picture of the evening. The picture tells of a rich young New York idler, whose father solids him to San Francisco to work in his shipyards. The hoy goes down and eventually lands iii Shanghai, an outcast in every sense of the ivord. In this role, George O’Brien, who plays the leading role, docs some of the best acting the screen has given in a year. Of course, he is saved eventually by the girl, hut not until his life has furnished a story which made an exceptional novel, a great stage play and a greater picture. Not loss conspicuous in the cast than O’Brien, is Dorothy Maekaill, in the leading feminine role, and while the principals do well, they have the support of a. powerful cast in a most alluring story. It is a picture worth seeing; it has a wealth of emotional incident, a really powerful story ■'{ good acting, and not a dull moment.

“CHARLEY S AUNT." Theatregoers of Timaru will be pleased to learn that “Charley’s Aunt,” the most popular farce of the English, Australian and American stage, will be presented here shortly. For the last forty years “Charley’s Aunt” has been synonymous with laughter. She made her debut in Bury St. Edmonds, in Suffolk, in 1892, with W. S. Penley in the starring role, laughter convulsed England after the play had been presented at the Royalty Theatre, London, where it ran continuously for four years. The play has been played time without number in Australia, and ono of the companies to play and make it famous hero was that of Dion Boucicault and Mrs Brough. Since then it has held thousands with its powerful laughter. When they say it’s enough to make a cat laugh, they don’t go quite far enough. “Charley’s Aunt” is the funniest comedy that’s ever been staged. It is a clean, wholesome story, whoso great charm and appeal lie in the simplicity of its humour, interpreted by a cast of comedians who have caught the spirit of the farce, and have carried it through to a 'hilarious success. The comedy was originally produced m England thirty years ago, and has played continuously, and in almost every known language ever since. Mr MclCenzic, as Babs, keeps the house in a continual state of laughter. The cast also includes Cf. Titchner and W. Marcl, both actors of very high standard. The box plans for the season will bo on view this morning at the Bristol.