ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18822, 15 May 1920, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES, i LEE KIDS AND BIG CIRCUS PICTURE. The welcome re-appearance of the favourite anil famous Lee Kids takes place in :he Municipal Theatre 10-day at 2 p.m. and again at 7,40 this evening. In addition to these famous child actresses, a specially elected and pleasing programme, snitai-L for the children, will be submitted at the matinee this afternoon. Parents would be well advised to hiring or send the kiddies .dong fur an enjoyable afternoon's entertainmint. A monster double-feature bill has been secured, at considerable, expense, for tin.- evening performance, which commences* at 7.15. In addition to tho Australian News, an excellent cartoon, and a grand number of the English Toptcul Budget, there arttwo star pictures. The first is a Fox production —showing at 7.40 p.m.—introducing the greatest of filmland favourites, the Lee Kids, in "Doing their Bit.” This picture is said to offer little Jane and Katherine unusual opportunities for the display of their altogether captivating art. They foil spies and aid Cupid, and generally endear them.■rives. Their drolleries, if they mea.-ure up ,-> pa.-t indulgence of the kind, should provoke many laughs, and it is reported that y .ongsters a’ - e funnier than ever in ihc new play. The second feature is one of the luted New Metros, entitled ‘‘One Thing at a Tim-',” with Bert i.ytfil, the new,-t screen favourite', in the leaning role. It is; a tender, heart-appealing story of circus life, re;deta with thrilling romance. Bert Lylell is -•( en at his very best in this clever picture, and the interest is maintained rig!-.: to the end. To ensure a good seat, it is a \vi--c [dan to booh ai B egg's music shop, or else to he in attendance early, as a bumper house is confidently anticipated.

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE

“THE FLAME OF LIFE.’

An exceptionally brilliant programme will presented to-d>y and for three nights. The star feature ‘‘The Flame of Life,” is a six part Swedish production. The great riii’dl in f ie picture is something altogether new to the screen, David Leaford the hero, lias drifted to the lumber camps of Finland —careless of life or reputrfion. On n girl’s sneer ant! man’s flare he attempts what has only been attempted three times before, and each rime fatally, to ride the madly swirling rapids on a single log. With a long balancing pole he stands on the log, which turns and rolls beneath him, and steers his way through the tumbling, rushing rapids, avoiding us well as possible the scores of groat logs, the knock of which would send him to certain death in ihe foaming water*:. It is a during feat, and the camera gives a remarks!'!:* picture of a remarkable achievement. There are numerous supporting subjects including “Railroad Raiders,” and "How Motor Bicycles are Made,” a picture thar should provo intensely interesting to all cyclists and motor mechanics. Patrons arc advised to be early.

ALBION THEATRE,

THE PRINCE’S ROTORUA VISIT.

A monster entertainment of splendid variety is to be screened at the Albion Theatre commencing at the matinee (2 p.ru.) to-day. The supporting programme is exceptionally strong and contains the up-to-date feature "Trie Prince’s Visit to Rotorua” The weird and wonderful hukua, thousands of natives in picturesque costume, regiments of poi dancers going through graceful movements, are vividly depicted upon the screen, and the wonders of Rotorua are brought before one’s eyes. Another film of Now Zealand interest is the No. 3 series of the beauty spots of Westland. The super attraction of the evening is the Clara Kimball Young masterpiece entitled “The Better Wife.” A much yexed question as to what constitutes a

bettor wife is aired in the Select feature, which gives the lovely and statuesque Clara Kimball Young the opportunity of looking very sweet and convincing in the principal role. Clara furnishes some striking reasons for supposing that she would prove a better wife than the one we are at present struggling along with. Neglected by her husband, to whom she is devoted, flattered and courted by a princeling, who has sincere affection for her, she might have been pardoned for turning her magnificent eyes in his direction, but virtue and her love for her husband and his first wife’s child triumph, and the erring one in time returns to the fold and his wife’s arms. The story is highly emotional and the star delightfully appealing. Nigel Barrio plays the role of the unappreciative husband convincingly. On the same programme is the seventh episode of ‘’The Lightning Raider” and other subjects. Special music accompanies the pictures, rendered by the Albion Symphony Orchestra, the overture being ‘‘Once Upon a Time.” Seats may be reserved by telephone at the Albion.

“LIGHTNLV.”

APPEARANCE OF A FAMOUS ACTOR. JOHN D. O’HARA. The box plans for tho two nights’ season of the J. C. Williamson “Lightniu’ ” Company, to appear here on Friday next, will Its opened at the Bristol on Tuesday morning next. The appearance of Mr John D. O'Hara, a famous American actor, supported by a specially selected J. C. Williamson Company in tho equally famous three-act play ’’Lightniu’ ” is being eagerly looked forward to. ‘‘Lightniu’ ” comes with so splendid a reputation, that already playgoers are unusually keen to see it. The piece has taken Australia literally by storm. For over 109 nights Melbourne filled the Theatre Royal, bent on enjoying the wonderful performance of Mr O'Hara, as ‘‘Lightnin’ " Bill Jones. A like phenomenal success awaited the iilay in Sydney, where it ran for ninety nicht.s. having to bo compulsorily withdrawn to make way for other waiting attractions. “Lightniu’ ” is said to be a particularly strong filay—possessing a wealth of comedy. It requires a good company to inter: wet it in a fitting and artistic manner. This, it would appear, the J. C. "W illiamson directors have handsomely provided, tho per-onnel of tho organisation being as follows:- Mr John D. O’Hara, in association with Messrs Robert Toms, John Beck, Arthur Cornell, lan Maclaren, 11. H. Wallace, Thomas Lloyd, Fred Cambourne, Frederick Ksmelton, Edwin Luster, Misses Uiana Wilson. Illarion Marcus Clarke, and Lizette Parkes. Described as a singularly clean and wholesome play, ‘‘Lightnin’ ” entirely eschews anything of the American ‘‘crook” element. The scene is set at Reno, Nevada, and (ho unlimited fun is obtained chiefly from the vagaries indulged in, and the complications caused by a number of would be divorcee-*, who arrive at Bill Jones’ hotel, tor the purpose of, in one time, getting “hatciilv 'separated.” Of course the moving -,pi:d, d; tin- whole business is ‘‘Lightnin’” I'lhll Jones), so called from the particu-!-,r]v phlegmatic and lethargic manner in which he goes about things. Mr John D. O'l Era is ' ‘‘Lightnin’ ” and Mr O’Hara is cn diced with being the best character comedian ever seen south of the Line.