AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17946, 3 May 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

BLANCHE SWEET IN “SINGED.” FULLER HAYWARD’S TO-NIGHT. ' i “Singed,” the Fox production in which Blanche Sweet is starring.under direction of John Griffith Wray, who was her director in “Anna- Christie,” is a vehicle ideally suited to her shining talents. This picture .opens at the Lyceum Theatre this evening. In the vole of Dolly Wall; a dance hall girl who cannot undo her past in spite of her enormous wealth, gained through a venture in oil leases, Miss Sweet is called upon to express the gamut of heremotions. It is a colourful role and one in w:liicli she is destined to win much sympathy during the unfoklment of the story. Warner Baxter, popular leading man, -who. plays opposite the star, is also eminently adapted to the demands of his part. He is appearing in the role of Royce Wingate, philanderer, handsome, vain, one of those men who can never be convinced that the word women has a singular which can bo used on occasion. The two meet on a by-path of life, and Dolly climbs out of a pit for his sake —for love’s sake. The drama tells her story after she has found “her man” and forsaken the gay and sordid path on which they met. It. is a story that carries the audience from an Oklahoma, oil-boom town to a “wild-cat” oil gusher in California, on to the fashionable night) and social life of San Francisco and through, many adventures to the smashing climax in Dolly’s luxurious but overdecorated apartment, where one of the most stirring scenes depicting primitive passions in a modern setting strikes a, new keynote for suspense in action. Fox nrogyammes always carry excellent supports and this evening’s short subjects will include a Van Bibber comedy, “A Fool and his Honey,” and the “Fox News.” Seats may be bobked through ’phone 570.

“THE 13th JUROR”

AT THE GRAND. An unalloyed treat is in store for patrons of the Grand Theatre to-night, when “The Thirteenth Juror,” a Universal-Jewel production, makes its long-heralded appearance. For sheer interest and story value, we believe that this, picture marks one of the high spots of the current cinema season. “The Thirteenth Juror” is the screen version, of the sensationally famous stage* play, “Counsel for the Defence,” which was the talk of Broadway when first produced by the author, Henry Irving Dodge. Francis X. Bushman, dean of all motion picture stars, heads the stellar cast with the able support of Anna Q. Nilsson. The story concerns the love of Henry Desmond and Richard Marsden for Helen Frame, who eventually marries Marsden, but he has not fared as well as Desmond who has become a successful attorney, and political powers are trying to frame Desmond . with Marsden’s . wife. George Quinn, a political boss, infers that Desmond should be watched and in sudden ar.ger Marsden threatens the life of Quinn. Later; th© same night of the quarrel, Desmond runs into Quinn, who is shot and killed in the ensuing battle. Desmond’s clothes are torn and a portion of his watch chain is lost, but he hides the evidence of battle. Marsden is held for the murder. Helen asks Desmond to defend her husband but after a, long-drawn-out-trial he is found guilty. To save him Desmond confesses that he committed the crime hut no one will believe him. He thinks of his evidence at home but his servants in the meantime have taken it and he has nothing to) prove his, confession. A clever hoax clears it up, however, and Desmond leaves <ov Europe as Mo«sden and his wife are happily together. Others ini the brilliant cast aro Walter Pidgcon. Martha, Mattox. Sidnev Brncey, Lloyd Whitlock. Additional to the above great programme there will he screened the motion picture record of Hinklers triumphant arrival and reception at his home ton n Bnnda.berg. Australia. Supports include the latest, British Emmie News,. Intei - national News, and Sid Taylor in hi* latest comedv . “Rushing Business. Patrons are advised to ’phone their reserves early to 486. “ARCHIE,” “SUNNY,” AND . “MERCENARY MARY.”

MUSICAL COMEDIES SUPREME. • Next Monday night at the Theatre Royal will see the commencement ot the big musical comedy festival ot 1928, when Sir Benjamin and John Fuller will present to the theatregoers of Timaru the very best of musical comedy, produced and staged m the same lavish way as seen in New lOrt. and London, and as presented in the St. James’s Theatre, Sydney. Luring the Timaru season three of the h'test big musical comedy successes will be staged. “Archie” will be the opening production, to be followed by 1 Sunny and “Mercenary Mary. Tli l s b . limit company is headed by Elsie Prince and Jimmy Godden, who are supported by Charlton Morton and all the favourites of Sir Benjamin rnd John Fuller’s “No, No, Nanette and “Lady Be Good” company that caused such a sensation when they toured the Dominion lost year. While expressing all the glowing charm, youth, melody and colour of No, No, Nanette” and “Lady Be Good, “Archie” is in contrast by its distinctive atmosphere in story, setting and score. Its suave comedy, cleverlycontrived surprise situations, captivating orchestration, unique solo anu ejsemble dancing, brilliantly colourful lighting, sparkling numbers, and rich modern Locking make “Archie” a scintillating carnival of gaiety. It is well studded with delightful musical numbers. Outstanding features are “Cairo Moon,” a great bit of char T ncter work in dialect portrayed by jSlsie Prince and Jimmy Godden ; “A Lane in Spain,” a tuneful ballad charmingly rendered by Nelle Dean. Elsie Parke’s sweet voice will be heard ki “On a, Side Street.” A real note of pathos is touched by Elsie Prince in her solo, “C’est Vous,” and she lias another winner in “My Idea of Heaven” : Jimmy Godden drones a doleful ditty, “There’s Nothing Left in Life For Me to Live For,” which is put' over in his own inimitable style. Among the spectacular numbers which give the beautiful ballet n chance to display their wonderful frocks and limbs are “Underneath Your Parasol,” “On the Ritz,” and “T Know All About Girls.” 'l’he box plans ter the three-night season open at the Bristol to-morrow morning nt 9 o’clock.