AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

DOUBLE FEATURE PROG RAM M E AT THE GRAND.

Perhaps the most famous and well liked of operas is the famous tragedy of a clown by Leoncavallo, “I Pagliacci.” First produced in Italy in 1892, it created a furore, which success was duplicated in every country where it was played, till now it is one of the greatest of operas. “I Pagliacci,” at the Cosy Grand t.o-night, tells the story of a man’s revenge, and a woman’s fickleness. Nedda, daughter of an innkeeper. is infatuated with Silvio, a philandering count. She leaves home with him, but on the mountain passes is intercepted by her lover, Tonio. The men fight, Silvio crashing into a ravine and Tonio sorely wounded, is dragged by the sleigli horses along the mountain road. Nedda, after recovering, journeys south, and finally joins a wandering band of players, and marries their leader, Caiiio. Out of the past conies, first Tonio, now a cripple, who joins the troupe as a clown. She despises his love, and he cherishes revenge. In Rome, where they are playing “Pagliacci,” Silvio comes back. Nedda meets him, and Tonio tells their secret to Canio. In the play that night. Canio follows the lines to almost the. end. He demands the name of her lover, but the delighted audience does not know the change that has come over him. He is in earnest. Nedda refuses, and; then in the glare of the lights, a dagger flashes for second, ere being plunged into her * breast. Silvio rushes to the stage. Once again the flash, and he is stabbed. To the terrified audience. Canio announces, “The Comedy is Ended.” * “Don Mike,” a storv of the days of dashing dons and valiant vanqueros, was chosen by Fred Thomson as his latest starring vehicle, which is coming to the Grand Theatre as the second feature. The locale is Southern California, at the head of its romantic history A remarkable note of accuracy lias been attained., due tp the vast research work which was made in order to re-create the original atmosphere and background. There is all the pnlendour and thrill of those bygone days, which featured daring chivalry and free-and-easy knife throwing. Fred as the gallant and hospitable “IrisliSpaniard,” Don Mike, has the most interesting role cf his career, and presents a brilliant characterisation that is charged with sincerity and virile power. Ruth Clifford is the lovelv iadv wooed bv the’hitherto indifferent Don. while others in. the' cast are Noah Young. Albert Prison. Willem Courtright. Tom Bates, Norma Marie and Carmen Lo Roux. Silver King again amazes and delights liis admirers with bis endless source of new stunt*. and his proximity to human intelligence. Patrons are advised to 'phone their reserves early to 486.

FULLER-HAYWARD’S. “THE FIRST KISS” AND “WATERFRONT.”-

Full fare of good quality will be preesnted to Theatre Royal patrons this evening. Fay Wray, a fresh, sweet and livable star, is co-starred with Gary Cooper, in. “The First Kiss,” a story of romance and tlieflove of brothers that was adapted fro rathe original story. “Four Brothers.” The cast also includes Lane Chandler and Leslie F enton. Jack Mulhnll and Dorothy Mackaill Viavo given the screen a number of delightful pictures, but without doubt tliciv last venture, “Waterfront,” is head and shoulders anything they have done before. “Waterfront” is a delightful, fast-moving tale of life around the and piers of a big harbour. In this particular instance it is the famed Golden Gate Harbour of San Francisco, and a better choice could not have been made. Miss Mockaill is the daughter of the captain of a tugboat . She is wild about the sea. wants to sail to foreign shores and can’t get enough of the salty air. On the other hand, her father, ably enacted by Knute Ericson, is tired of water and tugboats. His great desire is to settle down on a farm. Enter Mulhall in the guise of an oiler on a transpacific steamer. He falls for the girl, and she falls for him, only to fall out in a hurry when he confides a fondness for dry land himself. How everyone is eventually satisfied provides one of the most amusing and thrilling stories imaginable. A Christie comedy, entitled, “Hot Sparks,” and the Paramount gazette will also be’ screened. Bookings will receive immediate attention through ’phone 570. The usual matinee will take place this afternoon. SKATING. Patrons who attend tlio open-air skating rink to-night will witness a unique and thrilling race between Reg. Slade, on a motor-cycle, and Bert Nelson, on skates. Reg. Slade is wed clever motor-cycle rider, while Air Nelson is the undefeated champion fast skater of North Otago. GERALDINE MUNICIPAL PICTURES. Charlie Murray started the epidemic of war comedies. And Lucien Littlefield. who is paired with him in “The Head Man,” First National feature coming to the Geraldine Municipal Theatre to-night. “The Dead Man.” however, is nothing of the sort, being an entirely now kind of picture for Murjray. In it lie is characterised as a whimsically humorous ne’er-do-well, once powerful, now bibulous, who in tlie story conies back to power in bushleague politics. An exceptionally appealing and novel love story is evolved between the juvenile leads —Loretta Young and Larrv Kent. Eddie Cline directed the picture, which was based on the famous novel bv Harry Leon Wilson, “The Boss of Little Arcady.”