AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 7 October 1926, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

“SIBERIA.’! AT THE GRAND. In New Zealand, home of the free and untrammeled, a spirited girl may hold any legitimate conviction without fear of persecution, but in Russia—scone of “Siberia ” Fox Films version of Bortley Campbell’s dramatic piny—the girl who dared express herself upon questions of the hour was apt to bo subjected to* unspeakable treatment. Alma Rubens, cast as Sonia Vronsky, is called upon to demonstrate this in a most striking manner in this Fox eji.-c, which begins at the Grand theatre to-night. Her father, a pompous gourmand, is giving a feast m honour of his daughter’s return ironi tho University of .Moscow. Outside the palatial Yronskv home, peasants, lean-faced and half-starved are seen peering in at tho windows! I rotestmg when her father orders his sleek servants to drive the poor from the estate, the daughter is first warned and then driven from home by the irate father. AYhcii her brother protests he, too, is ordered from the home of plenty. The. daughter is persecuted because she has the courage to express her convictions. She has been studying Tolstoy, and feels that the children of the poor should be educated. Then, with the appearance of beastly officers of the Cossack division, and the unwelcome attentions of a fiery revolutionist, Miss Rubens meets disaster in manifold form, and eventually finishes in Siberia. “Egor,’’.the irrational rebel leader, now sees an opportunity to work his will with “Sonia.” He is thwarted only when the prisoners engineer a daring escape. How “Sonia” escapes ia the end, with Edmund Lowe as the rescuer, brings to the screen one of tho most dramatic episodes ever filmed. An all-star cast includes Lou Tolegeii, Paul Panzer, Lilyau .Tashmaii, Helena d’Algy, Daniel Alakarenko, James Alarcus, A T adim Uraneff, Tom Santsclii. Samuel Blum, Harry Gripp,- and others. Supports include the latest “Fox News,” and a charming story from the pen of O. Henry, entitled “Failure.’' Scats may be reserved as usual. ’Phone 480.

ART ACORD IN “THE SET UP.”— A SPECIAL WESTERN—AT PULLERS. Art Acord, Universal star, nob only had bo braid himself to bo a motion picture star, but bo hr.<l to train his horse, Raven, and bis dog, Rex. Those two intelligently trained animals huvo important roles in Acord’s latest picture, “Tho Set Up," which is now showing at'tho Theatre Royal. Raven can rear, buck, and make tremendous leaps, as well as act with remarkable skill. Ho can untie'knots with his teeth, and obeys such commands as “Go upstage,” “Go downstage,” and “Out.” The dog is also an admirable trooper, and has a large repertoire of tricks. In addition to standard dog tricks, Rex can ride Raven’s back, jump over him, and is a regular whirlwind when chasing his tail. “The Set Up” title was taken from the popular story by L. V. Jefferson, “Horse Sense,” and features the uncanny cleverness of Acord’s horse and dog. The plot commences with Acord in the role of a deputy sheriff, with his sweetheart’s father drawing 40,000 dollars from the bank, and with the crooked banker’s plan to get the money. A whirlwind of action follows, with crisis alter crisis building up a tremendous climax. Action never lags, according to those who have seen previews of the picture, and holds the spectators tense until the fade-out. Direction was by Clifford Smith, whose name has become a by-word for excellent Western features. He is accredited with being the producer of as many as 200 western features. Tho east is excellent, containing such names as Alta Allen, Jack Quinn, Thomas Lingliam, Montague Shaw. Harry Royer, Jess Deffebacb, . William Welsh, Jimsy Eoudwin, Hank Roll and “Spike” Spademan. Two excellent comedies are also shown on the menu —Wanda Wilev in “Thorn She Goes,” and Charles Puffy in “Help Wanted.” Tho “International Nows” will also ' bo shown. Seats may bo booked through telephone 570. “FLORODOR A. ’ ’—AT GERALDINE. Many requests have boon made to the Timaru Operatic Society by country i towns to give Leslie Stuart’s musical

comedy "Florodnyn.” After careful consideration, it h‘-»« been decided to reproduce "Florodora'’ ill its ontirity nt the Geraldine Town Hall uu Saturday next, To utago a musical comedy of this magnitude oil a smaller Hugo is no mean undertaking, but the entiro company will proceed to G era Id ino on Saturday in order to give Geruldino nn opportunity of witnessing this fascinating comedy, with its spectacular dressing and haunting molodies. The scenory was specially painted in Sydney for the “Florodora.” season at tho recent Dunedin Exhibition.” Tho success of “Florodora” is mainly due to tho efforts of Airs Alan Shrimpton (late J. C. Williamson, Ltd.), as producer, and to Air A. \V. V. Vine, the musical director. With such artists as Air Alan Shrimpton (Gilfain), Air A. Wheeler (Capt. Donegal), and Air Frank Ryan (Abercoed), the solo work is in good hands. Airs E. J. LeCren, as Lady Holvrood, and Alisses Al. Hutt (Dolores), aiid C. .Aldutosh (Angela), are responsible for bright solos and fine acting. Perhaps the heaviest work of “Florodora” falls on Twoodlepunch (All- M. Leopold). His bright humour and acting make him a decided favourite. The box plan is now open "at the Ideal Ten.. Rooms, and is filling rapidly. Pri ro.s arc 4s (reserves), 3s and 2s. No tax.