AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 April 1927, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

'•black PARADISE”

STIRRING SOUTH SEAS PICTURE. In '“Black Paradise,” the picture which opened, at the Grand . Theatre last evening, lovely Madge Bellamy, Leslie Teuton, Edmund Lowe, and others almost as famous, are gathered into a cast ot amazing strength, which acts wit.li great realism the thrilling scenes and stirring situations of rumrunning and South Sea Island strife. Jim Callahan, a weak young crook engaged to marry the beautiful Syliva Douglas, arrives at her room a short time before they are to be married, but he comes staggering from, loss of blood, for .he has. been detected in a burglary, shot by Urn police and pursued to the g.'ri’s house. After a sensational and totally unexpected situation the pair escape and dash for the waterlront pursued.by police and Graham, a handsome and daring secret service officer. They leap into a last motor boat at’ the wharf, the dotective gets another, and there is a wild' race lor a ship just passing out of the Golden Gate under 'full. sail. The trio are taken aboard, and they find the craft to be a rum runner laden with gin and captained and. manned by ns desperate a crew of murders and fugitives as sail the seas. And in command is the hnila 1 owner Murdock. He .ivcoghizos in Graham the dotective who sent him to prison for five years and determines to get even by marooning him on a devilish Island given over to the scum and sweepings ot the criminal world. He plans as well to get rad of Jim and make the beautiful Sylvia his own. Sylvia soon learns that Jim is weak and her love turns to Graham, who after a desperate battle heats Murdock and the story ends—as all good stories should, with the heroine and hero triumphant and safely locked in each other’s arms. Bright supports include a clever comedy and a variety film entitled “Canary Islands.” Tasteful music was discoursed by the Grand Orchestra.

SCHOOL LOR WIVES

PICTURE OF TO-DAY, A powerful tale by a famous author, whose greatest claim to distinction is extraordinary understanding of human nature and his remarkable genius for depicting actual life situations,. “School l'or Wives,” the new picture at Fullers’ carries an appeal to everybody. Best oi all, it’s the life of an American girl and present questions which, sooner or later, every girl is called upon to answer for herself. The fact that' Betty Lynch, the central figure, is the lieuess to 200 millions by no means takes her problems outside the range of universal human interest. “The colonel’s lady and Judy O’Grady are sisters under the skill.” Romance visits all circles alike, whatever the social station or the size of the bank account. Doubtless Jordan B. Lynch. Lelieved himself a perfect father — until the crash came. Betty had everything in the world she could possibly want til! she learned that ‘.‘Society” is t-’ iy a small part of tho universe and that.the very choicest things of life arc not to be purchased with money. The thing that broke Lynch’s heart was hits failure to hold the affection and confidence of his own daughter. They couldn’t understand each other. Once she got out into the world of real folks -be discovered they didn’t speak the .same language. Conway Tearle plays the male lead and gives a wonderful portrayal of the part ot Bichard Keith. Sigrid Holmcpiist is tho Betty of luxury and society, a role admirably suited to her. Thera is a. host of favourites in the supporting cast, including several prominent stage p'ayers. "ho remainder of the programme is well up to Fullers’ standard" and Includes the International ‘ (-us, a. clever comedy and a beautiful scenic film. The music discoursed by the Koval Orchestra was in every way pleasing and popular.

“THE FOLLIES OF 1927.”

At tlie Theatre Royal last evemnn “The. Follies of 1927’’ was reprodue-u ro a satisfactory rouse. Last - night's presentation was tlie third in Tiniaru, The players all enrue on the stage w;i'i increased confidence, and everythin!! passed oft without a hitch. Tho ballet numbers were dominated by magniliC j once of dressing, lighting and scenic I effects. The singing of the principals ; was a treat, while the support of the chorus resulted in just the right amount ol volume. The chorus and ballet numbers comprised “Memories,” led by .Mr !>. Cunningham, “ Kentucky 111ues.” C. Leopold and Company, “Pink Pyjamas,” Miss Kathleen Young and ballot. “Poor Papa,” Miss Madgo Kennedy, ballet and tinv tots, “Rose ol Babylon,” Air A. Slirimpton and chorus. “Ballet Kgyptiennc.” Miss Tuppy Sutherland, Mr It. Kicldey and Hi'lei. “Kismnt.” Aiiss Kathleen Young and ensemble, “Woodland Scene,” Mrs Alvce Shriinntoii. Mr (!. S. Harrison, '•allot and tinv tots. “Kverv Time Mo Kisses Her,” Mr Cooii Wood and gents’ boms, “Hawaiian Scene.” Miss Katli"on Young. Messrs Cecil W'-vor! and W. Sliiian. and “Tho Bandsmen's ’lirado,” Air Arthur AVhoeler and chorus. On the musical side of the programme wore Henri I.e G,a! and his acoompuniste (Aiiss Irene Sumner), in special violin numbers, and the grand opera quartette (Airs Garfield Thoms, Miss C. Afaeintosh. Messrs A bin Shrimplop and Arthur Wheeler). Ali.do, the illusionist. again had the audience bewildered. On the lighter side of the bill the comedy numbers were “A Brown Study,” enacted by Messrs R. Kiddey. H. Carr. Alan Shrinipt'Mi. and Alias Afarjorie Harwood. “A 'trip to Christchurch,” Alessrs .Alan Sln’iiuj’ton. R. Kiddey and O. Leopold: “Oh Charlie Take it Aivav," sung by Afr C. Leopold; and local “lot;;”' in “The Argument.,' hetwo’en Air Alan Shrimpton and Afr Cecil 7,onpnhl. A novel item was tho Apache dance by Airs Alan Shrimptnn and Afr G. Harrison. To the Follies Orchestra, under the direction of Afr L. Craig, must go credit for tho part they played. Although, perhaps, flic revue will not Produce quite the anticipated amount towards the Afunirinal Band’s funds, the company and all concerned have the satisfaction of knowing that they have given (he public a first-rate show. j HUAIPHRF.Y BISHOP COMPANY. ! Tlie Humphrey Bishop Company have been famed for (heir sparkle and for the surprises which are continually I being unfolded. AYhen the . company opened at Christchurch early this year the newspapers wi re unanimous ] in describing the show as one of the I finest or its kind 10 ever visit the Dominion. A monlli later, when the! company paid its return visit, tho same paper said: “No better tribute to the popularity of the Humphrey Bishop Company, and 710 more striking indication of the place it holds in the estimation of the Christchurch public could have boon offered than the liberal patronage on the company’s reopening night at the Theatre Royal. When the curtail] rose every sent in the house iMis -occupied, and unstinted applause encouraged the clever baud of entertainers throughout the sparkling performance. Nothing qujte so wood of its kind lias been seen here. 1 They play a return and farewell season hero on Tuesday, April 12, at the Theatre tfovql, when entirely now productibus will bn given. Plans are now open aft the Bristol