AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 June 1926, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL,

' GRIPPING DRAMA,

Seldom have such scenes of real life been served up to the public as were presented at the Theatre Royal- on Saturday night, and will. serve for the menu again to-night. That they were pleasing could easily bo seen from, the approbation .of tlio large number of patrons at the first night of screening. Productions such as “His People,” the leading feature, are bound to grow in popular favour because of their nearness to real v life. ; This great drama touches on the conditions of homo life, real home life, where the natural feelings of love and affection are not throttled by convention. The eternal struggle for existence and the battle lor social and business success on the part of a young man of Jewish paren-

tage, run through the story of “His People,” which is in a class of its own as far as domestic films are concerned. An outstanding success as daughter of a homely Irish woman, .is made by Blanche Mehaffey, who is in love with tlio hero of the story, Sammy Cominsky, a straight-living son of the Jew, whose part is taken admirably by Rudolph Schildkraut. The story is essentially of the Jewish people, though an Irish family figures in it to some purpose. There is a touch of the Biblical about the story in one part, in that the Rabbi blessed Sammy in mistake for his firstborn, Morris, reminding one of Jacob and Esau. Life in the Ghetto is well portrayed, and throughout there is that nearness to real life that marks the production as one of the best. As the story unwinds it transpires that scholarship is not the most important thing in life, in fact, that it is of little uso without character. The supports include, a further episode of “Samson of the Circus,” the “Pathe Gazette,” and one of the famous Ourt Gang comedies, entitled “The Champeens.” A delightful budget of musical selections was rendered by the Royal Orchestra, under the direction of Miss K. Sherlock, A.T.C.L.

IHE GRAND. WONDERFUL BEBE DANIELS. 1 Ho eloped with the wrong girl, and thereby hangs a merry talo of complications and explanations, which was unfolded in a laughable way to the packed house at tho Grand Theatre on Saturday night. Bebo Daniels is here again as a vamp in a fast and furious farce. Well, its this way. She thought the man loved her, and not her sister, and when an elopement was planned sue took her sister’s place. He didn’t find out till at sea, and then, at their destination, tho ship is put into quarantine, with the “honeymooners” in a comfy cottage. Nobody is immune from tho contagious fun of "Lovers in Quarantine,” which is the title of this master merrymaker. As tho girl who acts first anad thinks afterwards, Bobe gives one of tho most hilarious performances of her career, combining tho awkward schoolgirl age with the more sophisticated period of

the debutante, and achieving an instant success in the role. There is not a serious incident in "Lovers in Quarantine.” Mr Harrison Ford plays opposito Miss Daniels, and gives his usual characterisation. This time he is in a great role, and ho takes overy opportunity in giving the audience as much laughter as possibles. Eden Gray, Diana Kano, lviarie Shotwell, Edna Oliver and Alfred Lunt comprise an excellent army of supporting players. Tho auxiliary films include tho “Australian Gazette,” a Post travel, depicting scenes in Italy, and a smart and clever comedy. The incidental music by the Grand Orchestra was a feature of the entertainment.

"RIP VAN WINKLE.’! To-night, at the Theatre Royal, the farewell production of this famous opera will take place. As tho Mayor's Coal and Blanket Fund is 'to benefit, a good house should be assured, irrespective of the merit of this successful company. Beautiful music, ■ excellent comedy, and tilie. best of scenic effects and staging, should mean an enjoyable evening. Popular prices of 4s, 3s and 2s nro announced. Next Saturday night, the season of “Rip Van Winkle” will bo brought to a close at tho new Aorangi Hall, Fairlie, and tho enterprise and pluck of tho company in tripping to the “highland town” in mid-winter should be rewarded by a “bumper house.” The prices at Fairlie will boss, 4s and 3s. (No tax, and no charge for reserving.) -