AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 January 1927, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

“GOOD AND NAUGHTY.”

IRRESISTIBLE COMEDY. It is a sad lookout for men when one cf their fellow creatures is out in search of a co-respoudent. However, Tom Mooro manages to escape being named just by tbo skin of his teeth 1 in “Good and Naughty.” a groat attraction which delighted a full house at the Grand Theatre on Saturday evening. Many directors have been given control of Pola Negri pictures, hut so far only ono American has brought out anything like the Negri wo saw in “Passions.” Ho is Malcolm St. Clair, and when he directed “Good and Naughty,” tho second attraction on tho very excellent programme, he drew out tho cream of the star’s great dramatic talent, and the best of hci* comedy, while the whole is pervaded with a light emotionalism which gives the finishing touch to the picture. Seen in a decidedly modern setting, free from tho ponderous trappings of other less entertaining films, Madame Negri has at last an opportunity to display her real talents, and her acting is consequently a revelation. “Gocd and Naughty” is a pleasantly sophisticated story, with a piquant to which the polished acting of the star is admirably suited. It is a hilarious comedy of errors, in which Ford Sterling, that irresistible comedian, expels himself. The cast also includes Miss Du Pont. Miss Du Pont is the wife who chases every man but her own, and Pola Negri, although just an ordinary office girl, makes a great bid to save the firm of Gray and ’ West from scandal. The whole thing is ridiculously funny from beginning 'to end, and some.of the situations in the hotel are ludicrous. All those who really enjoy a whole/ programme of comedy should not fail to pay a visit to tho Grand. It is certainly an evening well spent. .There is a very satisfying supporting programme, including a rip-roaring comedy farce entitled “So Long B:1I,” the latest Topical Gazette, and an entertaining budget of screen snapshots. The pictures are not the onlv attraction'. The orchestra played a splendid programme of music, which found favour with the whole audience.

"NE'ER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET.” KYNE STORY AT THE ROYAL. When Kipling summed up tho colour problem in his few lines full of fatalism, “For East is East, and West is West, and never, the twain shall meet,” he supplied the thesis of the novel by Peter B. Kyne, “Ne’er The Twain Shall Meet,” and the film version of the story was the chief item on the programme presented to a packed house at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Kipling’s dogmatic words have been the subject of fierce controversies. : In the South Sea Island setting, the camera has caught all the romance, pathos and emotion with which the author, under whose direction the film was taken, has endowed his story. Tamea, the half-caste island queen, is thrown hv circumstances into the midst of modern society life. She falls in love with her guardian, Dan Pritchard, who is already betrothed to Maisie Morrison. Feeling very keenly the colour bar to her admission to Dan’s set, she flies hack to her island home. But Dan has already succumbed to her alluring' and primitive cnarms, and follows her. There, according to native custom, they are made man and wife, but Dan cannot content himself with the indolent soul-destroy-ing life of the tropics. Happiness 01 the indolent, sensuous kina does not suffice, and he pines for the return to civilisation. Realising that Dan does not belong to her world, Tamea writes to Maisie, and, sacrificing her own happiness, sends her man back where he will find happiness amongst his own peoeple. Kyne has toned down the fatalism of Kipling, and the picture is full of emotional and dramatic situations. As Dan Pritchard, Bert Lyteli is splendidly east, lendingcolour and vim to the part. Anita blew art, as Tamea, U uoen of Kiva, leaves nothing to be desired in her interpretation of the primitive and innocent half-caste. . The South Sea island scenes add greatly to the romantics side of the film. Pictures in support of the feature film include an “Our Gang” comedy, showing this mischievous lot of studies in black and white, as firemen; the Urban Chats, and the Pathc Gazette. The Royal orchestra under the direction Air N. B. Sutcliffe, regaled the audience with a programme admirably pla\ed. Signor Prcboni Hansen, theDanish tenor, also figured on the bill, in a cone test between the human voice and tile gramophone. The reception given the singer on Saturday night was enthusiastic, and the numbers rendered fully dcsorved iit.

AIOSCO VITCH. A RETURN SEASON. At the Theatre Royal, Tiinaru, on Thursday am! Friday next for two niiglits only, Alessrs J. C. AVilliainson Ltd., announce their next attraction, the return of Maurice Moseoviteli, who its supported by an excellent company. New-comers include Ellen Pollock,- the original Tondalcyo in the London production of “White Cargo.” Favourites still supporting the star in -his world tour are Nat AJ.adison, Eileen Sparks, Alex Sarner, Kerrio Kelly, Kiore King, George. Blunt, J. J 3. Atliolwood, Alargarct Murray, Reginald Nowseu. John Harper, and Lesie Donaghey. The opening production is Du Alaurier’s celebrated roman. ,e e/ the Latin Q.r.ui ivr of Pari i -“Trilby.” “Trilby” should prove a great attraction with theatregoers, as tho play is one recognised throughout the world as a story of romance and absorbing interest. Maurice Moscovitch will appear in the part of “Sveugali,” a role in which he has become noted in London as one of the greatest Svcnga.li.s seen in that city Tho play is intensely human, treats an unusual subject, and its chief personages are enveloped in an air of mystery. “Ben Bolt,” the always popular son, is bound up in the story ot “Trilby.” Ellen Pollock will be “Trilby,” and the cast includes all the principal members of the company. The play recently created a furore in Wellington. .The critic of the “Post” says: —“Tn the opening performance of ‘Trilby’ at the Opera House last evening Air Al'oscovitch held 1 a big audience enthralled with his remarkable acting of tho unusual and intensely human character. His performance was a, tribute not only to the character itself, but also to the outstanding power of Aloscovitch. He was Svengali, who feared neither God or man —till the shadow of death appeared before his eyes and made him a cringing puppet craving for another hour of life. He lived the part, lip was the part.” The second production on Friday evening will bo Sidney Howards much discussed drama “They Knew What They Wanted.” It contains a startling story that has caused much wonder and talk by theatregoers. The box p’ans for both performances open to-morrow at the Bristol.