AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19810, 29 November 1919, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “TWO-BIT SEATS.” Owing to the high cost of living Jimmie Mason is forced to patronise the gallery instead of the orchestral stalls, but once there he is very pleased with himself, as, seated next‘to him, is “ the most_ beautiful girl, in the world.” Jimmie was wondering how to become acquainted with her when the young lady solved the problem for him with the aid of a hatpin. The next night he asked her to go with him to an orchestra hbut Alice wouldn’t listen. She would, however, go to the “two-bit” seats. And they went often, but Jimmie always suffered the fear that Faulkner, his boss, would see him and think him a terribly cheap j sport. But Alice told Jimmie not to 1 waste money on the better seats. And : so it went on. Finally the blow falls when his employer sees him and Alice exiting from the gallery. Hope is gone when ne is called before the boss the next morning and asked how long he has been patronising the gallery, but all is well when the “ old man ” ap- . proves and shows his approval by pro- 1 motion. Jimmie dashe.s to Alice’s house j and tells her of his good_ fortune, also ; what die thinks of a certain girl. Then Alice tells Jimmie that all along she . had a definite idea in preferring “ two- : bit seats.” You’re entitled to one : guess—you’re right. _ j “ The Lightning Raider,” the very latest, ami according to tlie New York critics the best serial Patho have ever made, will commence its run at the Queen’s on Monday next. The featured player is the athletic Pearl White, who is the acknowledged serial queen. The , story is of adventure in the great and mystifying under-world—the underworld of anarchy, where law is powerless. It is claimed to he the most sensational film the screen has ever ' known. _ Additional films are "His New Job” (a. Charlie Chaplin comedy) and, a Pictorial Budget. STRAND THEATRE. “OUT OF THE SHADOW.” Pauline Frederick is cast as Ruth Minchin, wife of her dead father’s partner. Minchin is a drunkard and Ruth is completely unhappy. She _ meets Paolo Severino a pwor pianist, to whom she has been drawn through pity. He lives in the same apartment house. Minchin enters his apartment and finds Severino at Ruth's piano. He orders the musician out. Ruth does not see Severino again until she meets him in a violent rainstorm. She shares her imbrolla with him. Minchin encounters them and makes a scene in the hall Severino contracts pneumonia. ; Ruth is told by telephone. Severino i is penniless and Ruth promises to care ! for him. Her husband overhears and i charges her with being in love with ; Severino. She determines to leave her , husband. She packs her belongings, \ goes to his study and finds him in a drunken sleep. She leaves. Minchin is found dead. Ruth is_ charged with murder, hut is acquitted. Richard Steel, a reformer, has interested himself in her case. He sends Ruth to a country place, promising to find the murderer. Ruth and Steel are thrown much together,' and learn to love one another. Abel, a tramp, appears and recognises Stce) ns a man who had killed another man in Australia. A newspaper reporter, Langholm, hears Abel, and surmises that Steel killed Minchin. Steel is arrested, but the mystor- has not yet been unravelled. There- "dll be a gasp of surprise wlieg the real culprit is revealed, Steel Hb- j erated, and Ruth begs his forgiveness. ' The supporting films are a Mack Scnnott comedy, entitled “ The Foolish Age,” a Dictograph and a Gazette. LIBERTY THEATRE. “DADDYLONGLEGS.” _ ” Daddy Long Legs.” the screen version of the story by Jean Webster, id whiri Mary Pickford will be seen, is heiujji -creoned at Liberty Theatre for om, yyik only, commencing to-day. In this file first of the productions to be made by her own company, Miss Pickford as "Judy Abbott” is said to have the best role of her career. In order to enhance the picture the management has arranged a novel and pretty prologue, for the enactment of which three children have _ been engaged. Little Joan Beere will appear as tho fairy and • will he seen in two pretty dances. Phil Munn and May Anderson will he “Bosca.” and “Judy” respectively. The Liberty augmented orchestra will discourse appropriate music, which has been specially arranged or the picture. There will be daily matinees from to-dav. and this affolium and f next Wednesday the full orchestra will play. Seats' for all parts of tho theatre (matinees and evenings) null be on sale at the Liberty Theatre. During the week the entr’acte will be the Three Dances from “Henry VIII.,” by Edward German- ■■ , I,** GRAND THEATRE. “THE HANGING JUDGE.” “ Pals First,” portraying Harold Lockwood, will be shown for the last time to-night at the Grand, along with tho absorbing serial “ Stingaree,” " On Monday the principal picture will be a welcome English film, “The Hanging Judge,”' by the famous Hopwortli Company, producers of “ The Man Who Stayed at Home,” etc. The fascinating and coming young English I actress, tile and dramatic Henry Edwards, take the leading roles in this remarkable English play. “ The Hanging Judge ” is a screen adaptation of the book and play of the same name.by Tom Gallon. With splendid and natural acting, English scenes, fine photographic effects, a story which is wonderfully intense and engrossing, “The Hanging Judge” is sure to bp, wol] received, "ho supports include another of those marvellous escapades nf the gentleman bushranger “ Stingaree,” also Topical (the latest), and a fine co'uedv by Christie. The box plan is at The' Bristol. CRYSTAL PALACE. '' OASTT/E3~IN~THE AIR.” “Castles in the Air,” the brilliant comedy romance of which May Allison istho star, will bo, tho feature at the Crystal Palace next week. In this lively and appealing drama Miss Allison enacts tho role of Fortuna, a poor but romantic girl who believes that somt day, like the heroine of the hind novels of which sho ia fond, she will meet_ a millionaire and have all the happiness of her namesake. How she does meet the man of wealth, but how her own romance comes from another and quite unexpected quarter, are incidents . wliich go to make a play of distinction and charm. Fortune 'is a lovable little character, and her dreams and expectations, and her eventual happiness combine to create a picture of winning appeal. A gorgeous fashion parade, showing over two hundred smartly dressed men and women, is oho of the unique and attractive features of “ Castles in the Air.” The parade is supposed to represent Fifth Avenue on Easter Sunday, and the gowns chosen for the. occasion are of. the very latest and most exclusive designs. The programme is materially strength°oed by a further new instalment of the Patty Arbucklo comedies, in which the redoubtable Fatty frolics through two reels of superb fooling. A second comedy feature entitled “The Handy Man,” starring Billy West, is also to be shown, while added interest will be found in the Dominion' Travelogue and Topical Budget. An extra attraction to the programme, in the person of Mr Loms_ Bloy, tho popular and talented banjoist, Is advertised.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. A double star programme will be screened at the Sydenham Pictures tonight, the first big feature being “ Virtuous Wives,” with Anita Stewart in the leading role. This will be followed by another remarkable production enfevtled ‘ The Return of Mary,” starring May Allison. There are several excellent supports, and the programme promises_ to bo one of the most enjoyable submitted at this theatre for time past. OPERA HOUSE. A particularly enjoyable programme holds the boards at the Opera House at present. Colino, billed as the. ‘‘ dexterous digger,” submits a clever juggling turn, including some novel feats with bayonets. Ford and Aldhona are seen in a song, patter and dance turn which has proved very popular with audiences during the week. Lieutenant Harper, a tenor vocalist, strengthens the musical side of the programme considerably. Joe and Vera White, who have been very properlv termed “the live wires of vaudeville,” contribute a whirlwind turn in which the male partner throws a remarkable series of somersaults, culminating in a somersault over six chairs- Eddie Montrose, ‘‘the Broadway clown,” direct from the New York 'Winter Garden. is nearing the end of a brilliantly successful engagement in Christchurch, and his tumbling is quite a revelation in eccentric acrobatics. _ The second part of the programme is given up to Paul Stanhope’s musical comedy revue, “ Vanity Fair,” which introduces the inimitably funny Spike Murphy, this time as a piano tuner, with a bunch of pals almost as funny as himself, and a seasoning of feminine talent, supported by shapely ballets and choruses. This particular revue is an improvement on the earlier efforts of the company, and the musical strength is well maintained. The result is a clever little musical comedy, which goes swimmingly with the audience. The same programme will be staged to-night.