AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES.

COLLEEN AIOORK—TO-NIGHT. This evening at the Princess Theatre a First National Special attraction starring Colleen Moore, Ben Lyon, John Burns, Wallace Beery, Ford Sterling etc. etc. Colleen Moore has outgrown the sweetheart of her flapper days. She is playing mother to Ben Lyon. First National’s youngest leading man, in “So Big,” playing at the Princess Theatre on Monday. In “Flaming Youth,” young Ben was one of many in the love-life of the star, and in “Painted People” he was “the” one. But now that Colleen has emerged from flapper portrayals and has a role which ranges from young girlhood to motherhood her screen affections for him become those of a mother for her son. “So Big” is the most comprehensive dramatic effort Miss Moore has attempted to date. Wallace Beery, who plays one of the leading suporting roles in Colleen Moore’s new picture “So Big” got- his start towards film fame by carrying water for llie elephants in a circus. He ran away with a circus when a hoy, and although he was brought hack homo and given a sound spanking, his brief taste of the show world lasted. From training elephants he went to stock acting, and thence to playing in musical comedies in New York, finishing up by taking on screen-work. Beery repeats the tremendous success lie scored in “The Sea Hawk” in “So Rig.” his latest production. Aside from him. Miss Moore's supporting cast includes l’liyllis Haver, Ford Sterling, John Bowers, Ben Lvon, Dot Farley. Joan Tfersholt, Gladys Brockwcll and others. “So Big” is an adaptation from Edna Fcrbor’s famous novel. It was directed by Charles Brabin. under supervision of Earl Hudson, and will he shown at the Princess Theatre next Monday. A good supporting series will also be shown including tho latest in Topicals and a good comedy. On Wednesday next William Fox presents Buck Jones in “The Man Who Played Square.” On Thursday next a Master picture “Daughters of Pleasure” and on Friday next a Paramount Special starring Jack Holt in “Empty Hands.” PONSONBY BOYS’ BRASS BAND.

Hokitika is to be privileged to lienr the iiliovc named Hand to-morrow night. For four years this Band has planned and carried out tour.- of portions of the Dominion and wherever they have appeared they have won great kudos. The fact of their winning the C. grade championship at Auckland last year and again the contest between Auckland Suburban hands proves the Band’s reputation is well-earned. Their repertoire is extensive and includes classic gems. The history of I’onsonhy Boys’ Band is interesting. It is the product of a number of philanthropic. Auckland genilemon, who saw in it the means of bringing, hoys together for pleasant and useful pastime. The Baud was started 10 years ago for the musical betterment of the disus'd hoys. They receive tuition, instruments and uniform free. The Band is administered by a committee of ten members and financially supported by friends who love hoys. The object of the Band’s tour is to spread the good work. The Band will give, a programme in the Princess Theatre to-morrow night when the admission will he the nominal sum of is (id for the dress circle and Is downstairs. Children half-price. Those who have offered to billet the hoys are requested to have a representativo at tho railway station on .arrival of the express to-morrow evening, DENTS KET-fOE DRAMATIC COY. ANOTHER SUCCESS SATURDAY. Tho Denis Tvchoe Dramatic Company were greeted with another crowded attendance at the Princess Theatre, on Saturday night when they made a return visit and presented the Irish drama “The Cirl from County Clare.” The play proved equally successful to those of the previous appearances, ami the very happy reception given the principals on their appearance al once proved the very favourable recollections of their previous efforts. The play is set in America, on the border of the United States and Canada and Denis Kchoo was happily cast as the Sergeant of the North West Police, llis introduced songs were always welcome and one of the most enjoyable parts of tho play was songs and dances of the birth,day party so abruptly broken up by the alarm of n raiding party. Miss Frances Knylier added to the pleasant recollections by her dainty acting of the part of “The Cirl.” while Miss Helen Fergus had a. well deserved reception throughout. Mr Bonald Riley took the priest’s part capably while Mr Maurice Lynch supplied the Irish humour so much enjoyed. Altogether tho production was very enjoyable and the very hearty applause given, at the close, was of a most genial and warm nature.

Coming before the curtain at. the dose Mr Denis Tv choc expressed his very wannest- thanks to the audience for their very generous reception. lie assured them that he heartily appreciated the very fluttering hearing given his company and to mark that appreciation he announced that it had been decided to make a further appearance on 'Wednesday _cvcning when an entirely new production “The Intruder” would he presented. The announcement was received with applause and when tho audience filed out. the hooking office was at once, besieged and a largo number of seats hooked up for the final performance.

“THE INTRUDER’' —WEDKESpAA. As announced l>v Mr Denis Kelioe on Saturday night, the Company will make one further appearance at the Princess Theatre on 'Wednesday evening, when abandoning the frills and furbelows of the Georgian period, Denis Kelioe presents “The Intruder by Ralph Kettering, a comedy drama from the Century Theatre. New A orb, where it enjoyed a long run last 'Season. Henry Gilsey. a leader of big business, has sent his somewhat feather brained brother-in-law, Peter Crandell. to a. far flung outpost of civilisation called Pocatello, with the idea that it may either cure him of liis fascination for the bright lights or kill mm altogether. This latter it would have done, if it wore not for the ministering aimel tactics of Katie, the manicure gild attached to the hotel. .She nurses Peter back to convalescence and incidentally falls in love- with him. Peter, thinking lie is about to make a sorrowful exit from this life, and wishing to pay her a delicate compliment proposes,' is accepted and marries her. Scarcely lias he done so, when he is spirited back East to Dr Barlow, the family nerve specialist of the female side of the Gilsey family. Katie follows and arrives simultaneously, presenting herself to an agonised Mrs Gilsey and family. Henry, the man o affairs, is summoned, and promptly decides that the “young person” will be