FIRE AT "LIBERTY."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12707, 31 July 1919, Page 6

FIRE AT "LIBERTY."

LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. GOOD PROGRAMME THIS WEEK. The fire at Liberty' Theatre yesterday afternoon did very little damage, and it was possible to give a programme last evening. Two operating machines were slightly scorched and a portion of the star tilin, " The Passing of the Third Floor Back," was burnt, and the remainder was damaged by water. With the exception of the loss of this film, practically no damage was done to the pictures on the programme, apart from the fact that some of them got wet. They are now being dried at the King's Theatre, and will oe screened at a later date. With the exception of the loss of two reels of *'' The Passing of the Third Floor Back " and a little damage to the operating box, caused by smoke and -water, everything was intact when a. reporter called at Liberty Theatre this morning. Through the courtesy of the " Lyttelton Times" Company, which supplied the electrical power from its own generating plant, the picture company suffered little inconvenience last night and w r as able to screen a full programme. Mr Hugh D. Wilson, exhibitions manager of the New Zealand Picture Supplies Company, which controls the Liberty Theatre, reached Christehurch shortly after I p.m. yesterday and was greeted on arrival with the news that the Liberty Theatre was on fire. Mr Wilson's object in coming to Christchurch was to arrange for a new manager for the theatre in place of Mt W. G. Sutton, who has gone to the Crystal Palace Theatre. Mr Wilson stated this morning that the new manager of the Liberty would be Mr Kennedy Black, who was_ well known in Christehurch. musical circles, and had. been for some time with the Dandies. It has been decided to alter the day of the change of programme at Liberty Theatre from Mondays to Saturdays, commencing next Saturday afternoon, when a lengthy programme of pictures will be screened. A new serial entitled " The Fighting Trail" will also be ushered in on Saturday next. The serial will consist of fifteen episodes, and one episode will be screened each week.

The management has engaged Miss Agnes Richardson, a well-known contralto singer, to sing each night next week, and commencing on Saturday, August 9, Miss Carrie Lancely and her melody maids will pay a return visit to Christchurch. Miss Lancely met with wonderful success while touring the south, and it is expected that she will receive a great reception on her return visit to Christchurch. She received a splendid welcome from the returned soldiers at many of the towns she visited, numbers of the soldiers remembering the good work she did fop them in England. The company has engaged the services of Mr Ernest Drake, the wellknown New Zealand tenor, supported bu Miss Elsie Kells, a charming soprano, to tour New Zealand, and they are expected to sing at Liberty Theatre in September. Miss Gladys Wood, a brilliant solo pianist and accompanist, will be with the party. In the place of “The Passing of the Third Floor Back,” a splendid programme has been screened for this week. Tli© “star” picture is “The Devil’s Needle,” in which Nbpma Talmadge, the well-known screen favourite, takes the leading role. Another good picture on the programme is “ The Hidden Springs,” featuring the popular Harold Lockwood, and these excellent Alms are supported by other first-class pictures.