CROWN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 9

CROWN THEATRE

THE OPENING CEREMONY. Tho Crown Theatre—the fine new picture house opposite tho Parliamentary Buildings in Molesworth Street—was officially opened on Saturday nighti' when short addresses, appropriate to the occasion; were delivered by the Hon. A. L. Herdmati and the Mayor (Mr. J. ?. Luke). There was an expectant crowd in the street for 6ome considerable time before the doors were opened, and every seat in tho new edifice was filled. before the orchestra struck up the National Anthems of the Allies.

The Hon. A. L. Herdman said that, in coming into the new hall and looking round, he -felt that he could, with perfect sincerity, compliment tlie gentlemen who had banded together for the purpose of erecting a theatre iu tho northern end Df the city. Pictures had come to stay in as in other parts of tho world, nnd so' long as picture entertainments were run on sound, reasonable, wholesome liiios, they were capable of doing good and no power could interfere with any establishment so running - them. He had wondered since tho theatre had been wha*t effect it might have upon the building upon the other side of the road—that rival institution in which the public could find entertainment Would the ladies and gentlemen who had for so many years assembled to, hear the gratuitous oratorical displays," forsake those halls to cross the road and see our old friend Charlie Chaplin ? It would lie interesting to know. (Laughter.) It wns clear Parliament had a serious rival. (Laughter.) Mr. Herdman proceeded to declare tho theatre open, and in doing so he congratulated the directors, the architect, and the builders, and expressed the hope that the shareholders would draw annual dividends as a result of tho enterprise.

_ The Mayor followed with congratulations to those .responsible for the erection of such a fine up-to-date house of amusement, and to the' public in the northern part of the city, who now had a picture house of their own. Pictures undoubtedly could have an uplifting effect upon tho community, and he hoped that the programmes at this theatre would bp on wholesome lines and of real educational value.

For the opening programme the management had certainly an excellent scries of films. The first-half included a recent edition of the Eclair Journal (topical), n pretty little drama "Captain Niglrthawk" Iry the Neptnne Company, and a highly amusing Keystone farce entitled "Fatty's Reckless Fling," in which tho well-known comedian U.oscoe Arbuckle lakes the loading part. The second half of the entertainment consists of a splendid Trans-Atlantic comedy "Sirs. Plum's Pudding," in four nets. Tho story concerns tho fortunes of a mother and son, who struck a rich oil sprine in the back couhtry and'wont to New York to enter society. Tho portrayal of the pint affords genuine amusement to the onlookers, the scenery and the acting being first claw Miss. Mario Tempest plays the part ni Mrs. Plum and she is supported bv a fal-. ented cast, including Mr. W. Graham Browne. Mr. Eddie Lyons, and Misses Jean Hathaway and Violet Macmillan. Musical items are played dnrine the screening, under the direction of Mr. I). C. Hollow, who has secured half dozen of the best local artists to assist in this important' department,