AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1922, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

POLLARD'S PICTURES.

A NIGHT OF LAUGHTER—MONDAY

On Monday next Pollards are presenting a special laughter programme, when two of the most popular screen artists Constance Talmadge and Larry Semon will appear in the same programme. Constance Talmadge will be seen in her latest First National Comedy Drama of six reels “Good Feferences” aiul Larry Semon in a special Vitagraph Comedy entitled “The Rent Collector”, a Pathe G.yiette will also be shown. The most

fascinating series of adventures greets Constance Talmadge in her latest picture “Good References”. Although without money, job or Deferences, she

has always a large supply of pep and hope on tap, consequently jumps with both feet into an exclusive billot as secretary to an aged and religiously inclined wealthy lady. Then the fun starts, for where the Talmadge is the demon of mischief must needs follow. Highly exciting situations develop, each of which she handles with her customary aplomb, even to disporting about the country in a bathing suit after be-

ing marooned from a yacht with a mere valet person. No one should miss this comedy of the snappy comedienne’s and if further arguments were necessary, it is provided in Larrv Semon’s “Rent Collector” easily one of the funniest rough and tumble comedies ever screened. A special feature of this programme will he the selections played by the orchestra.

ANNETTE KET.LF.RMAN AND HER TIVOLI FOLLIES

Commenting on a recent performance at Wellington, the “Dominion” says Miss Annette Kellerman’s exhibition of fancy diving—backwards, forwards, from her Shoulders (upsidedown) and inwards (jumping off the ■board whilst facing it and then plunging) was high art. What amazed people was the length of time Miss Kel- . lerman oan stay under the water without taking breath. On her first entrance into the water she swam up to the glass front of the tank and postured gracefully a, she smiled (openmouth) at the audience for a half-min-ute or so. only emitting an air bubble nmv and again. Her every action and motion were grace itself, and her perfection of physical form was something to admire. Miss Kellerman also executed with marked daintiness and expertness a tip-toe dance, and in a. daring costume of black bends presented j a sinuous Egyptian dance against a curtain of pink silk. She also sang “The Little Tin Soldier” and “The Little Rag Doll’ (assisted by two of Miss Estelle Deere’s clever pupils.) Her poses on the silver wire were quite artistic and did not need the support of stale jokes given it by Mr Les Ship from tiie box. Tn the supporting company Mr Stuart Barnes stands out boldly as a subtle and magnetic raconteur and humorist. He has a pleasant crisp style, and a personality that grips, as lie effortlessly scores his points off the married and single. He crowned his entertaining performance with a character song, “My Wife’s First Husband John”—a little masterpiece in quiet domestic humour. The Vnrdell Brothers are exeejlent athletes, hand balancers, and acrobats. who made a distinct impression. Their “slidc-for-lifc” act is quite a sensation. Tn it one performer jumps from a perch in the sky borders on to a curved woden slide, which lie leaves under an impetus to be caught by the feet by those of his partner as he hangs from a pair of loops suspended from a lofty bar. Martini is one of the real hits of the show. What he does not do ns an acrobat is scarcely worth eonsidei ing. His dog is also a performer of merit. Little and Ship are cross-talk comedians on conventional lines. The former is an excellent robust baritone, whose taste in songs is not so good as his vocal quality. Other turns were

the Dancing Donnellys, simultaneous ami eccentric dancers; Florence Perry, n mezzo hnlladist; and Briglitie and Carlyon, song and dance musical comedy people. A ca-| aide orchestra under iMr I)’ rid Cope did good work. The company is presented by Mr J. R.. ' Ihvnn (Miss Kellerman's hnsl , ''>i ( M and is under the direction of Mr W. Low.