AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 October 1926, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

RICHARD DIN AVITH LOIS AVILSON AT THE GRAND.

Advance reports tells us that Richard Dix’s latest Paramount picture, “Let’s Get Married,” which arrives at the Grand Theatre to-dav is good. They say it is a, gay comedy that starts at sixty miles an hour and gets faster every foot. AVc are asked to imagine roTicking Richard as Billy Dexter, son of a wealthy man, just from college who paints the town red. His escapades and clashes with the police anger his lather, who arranges that the next time will bring a sentence in the hopes of curing him. Dexter, senior, takes the fast racing car from Billy and substitutes a slow-moving electric car. But even this sedate moving model gets him into trouble. Not being fast, a car following bumps into it and soon Bi'ly finds himself accused by the fair owner as the cause and a policeman about to take iiis name. He decides that be will settle himself. And bo finds the company of Alary Corbin most interesting and decides to turn over a new leaf. He surprises his father by wanting (o work and is given the assignment, of selling some hymn books to a J. AA'. Smith. J. AA’. proves lo be a woman and perversely, she wants to go to the cabaret most noted in town for a rough time. Billy tries to dissuade her. but filially has to give way. He gels .'lO days without the option And bow is lie to keep the news from Alary? He gets a friend to cable from Alexieo in bis name and then goes under escort, to tell ALiry that be must loeve hurriedly for Alexieo. The twenty-ninth day finds him in danger of being spotted by Alary’s unele and in a effort to escape bis attentions, lie finds himself mixed up in the laundry and out in tho street. His lather effects a pardon for him, but Billy does not know and goes through a series of adventures to evade capture. Supports include a two reel comedy “Nino Days Queen.” Gazette, and “Screen Snapshots.” Smits may be reserved as usual. Phone 180.

“TESS OF THE ITURBERVILLES” FULLER ’ S ATTR ACTION. To-day there comes to the Theatre Royal a picture version of the famous classic, “Tess of the D’Urbervilles.” with habitual enterprise, the AletroGokhvyn organisation faced obvious difficulties in transferring this celebrated romance to the .screen, but their efforts have been rewarded by a motion picture that for drama, suspense and tragedy, stands as the unchallenged holder of the proudest laurels in the induslry. Hardy’s novo; has been faithfully adhered to. It is comparatively simple, after all, to depict honest'y the broader outlines of a book, but when it comes to revealing the more subtle and spiritual aspect of a story, artistic difficulties arise. No absence or marring of the aesthetic occurs in “Tess," however. Every emotion, every .sentiment. no matter how delicate, is clearly brought forth, with the result that the audience is enabled to follow with perfect sympathy and understanding the career of Tess JDurbevfield. There is a remarkable atmosphere of grim fatalism about this story, as the pathetic figure of Tess is stalkfcd by a malignant destiny, a fatalism that harmonises faultlessly with the theme. ‘Tess of the D'Urbervilles,” both as the written classic and the motion picture might justly be described as triumphant tragedy, for about the closing scenes there is an unmistakable air of victory, the supreme sacrifice notwithstanding l't is indeed seldom ttliat so poignant a piece of drama comes to the screen, retaining as it does a'l the powerful originality and emotion of the hook, and when the attributes are coupled to the wonderfully finished manner in which the artists acquit themselves the peerless film results. “Tess” was filmed entirely in England, in the exact locales .described bv Hardy, and entrancing glimpses of the Wessex landscape. and the sombre mystery of historic Stonehenge tend to add authenticity to it. The histrionic medal of honour, complete with all clasps and bars, must go to Blanche Sweet for the truly remarkable portraval she gives of Tess in this picture. Afiss Sweet does not ask for one’s sympathy—she takes it bv a subtle, wordless, tremendously

strong appeal that can be felt all the while she fires with life the tragic figure of the heroine, buffeted so mercilessly bv fate. Conrad Na gel, in support of the star, likewise gives a sterling performance. his acting in the. role of Angel Clare being finely restrained. Stuart Holmes, in the thankless part of Aloe D’Urborville is also strong, and many other notah’e artists ■si linear in the east. The usual subsidiary films will include, “The Pathe Gazette.” a happy edition of the "Telephone Girl” series and “Peggy’s Pest,” a two reel laugh provoker. The Royal Orchestra will also add their quota to the programme. Sets may be hooked through phone 570 until 7 p.m. The same programme will he shown this afternoon commencing at 2.30.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S GILBERT SULLIVAN CO.

“THE GONDOLIERS” AND “YEOMEN OF THE GUARD. 11

The Christchurch season of the J. U. Williamson Com.c Opera Co. is proving even more successful than those recorded in Wellington and Auckland. On the day the plans were announced to open, a queue nearly half a mile long lined up at 0 a.in., and before o o’clock the same evening over 3000 seats were booked, and as the queue was still unbroken numbers bad to return the following morning before nine o’clock and since then the qileuo has never been once broken. The company is to ajipear at Tiinarn on Friday night next, when “The Gondoliers” will bo staged, and on Monday November 15. “\eomen of the Guard” will be produced.

“The Gondoliers ’ is probably the most- tuneful of the noted Savoy operas, and “The Yeomen of tho Guards” tho most English and most original. Only at rare intervals has New Zealand been privileged to listen to such captivating music as that of the famous composer, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and skill more rare have been the opportunities for enjoying such sparkling libretto as Gilbert knew so well how to write. The three predominant features of the forthcoming productions are said to he, firstly an exceptionally talented east of principals, many of whom hear strong London reputations, having been sc'ected from the Savoy and Lyric theatres’ Gilbert and Sullivan Companies. Secondly, and by no means the least important, is •he chorus, which lorms an important .djunct to any work by Sullivan. Ln the present instance it is claimed that the singing, dancing, deportmokt, and general decorativene.ss exceeds anything previously displayed in connection with” similar Australian productions. 'lhirdly a. capable orchestra, under Mr Gustave Siapoffski. provides an excellent contribution towards what is regarded as a delightful feast for the eye, mind, and the ear. The operas were produce under the direction of Miss Minnie Everett. A full operatic chorus and orchestra are under the baton of Mr Gustave Siapoffski. The box plans for “The Gondoliers” and “Yeomen of the Guard” will he opened at the Bristol, Piano Co., on Wednesday morning next at 9 o’clock.

VAUDEVILLE AND BEAUTY. INTERNATIONAL STARS. There was an overwhelming deinuiKl for seats when the booking opened at the Bristol yesterday ‘.or the lnt n - national Vaudeville season oi tin nights commencing at tho ‘'"‘‘l’ Roval on Monday (Labour Day) .it ■- p.m. So keen has been the interest taken in the event, that tresh records are likely to be set up, lor the «i ■ oi enthusiasm remains iinaoatea *tiin nlated bv the booming ot the past tew davs. Every qualification lor suceeps seems to be possessed by the aitisU to bo presented by New Zealand E. to - tamers Ltd., and the headlinci, Sale - no, should take the audience bj stoim, as has been his custom throughout Hie world. The sensational “Lcali, -H m o U Mist” presented by Prolessoi Hoi ate Sitrak is claimed to be the mystery oT .tho ages; never beloie has such stagecraft been seen in t'm Dominion, and it is said that the audience is held spe'lbound with amazement throughout this wondcrful act. Tho Monroes, “the two Jolly 80. nders” are nptlv named through their acrobatic tendencies on rubber mats, and their jollity is said to be most infectious. Comedy is also pronounced m Osborne and Porryer a act; which .s denoted by Cockney humour and a wroaminglv funny ep.sode with a “Lizzie” In a glance through the ietnaining contributors, one notices Hilda Nelson, a charming soprano, Bii.i i Lawrance (a pleasing young boy Bingor) Arthur Pond in burlesque studies, and Ngaire and Tomton, in a musical potpourri. The piece de resisttance o course will bo the Miss Now ZeMand Bcautv Pageant, when Miss Canter bury” and “Miss Otago par.-de on the stage.