ENTERTAINMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 18825, 19 May 1920, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MONTAGUE LOVE AT THE ALBION. Another of the splendid programmes offered by the management of the Albion Theatre is patrons to-night, commencing at 7.15, the star feature "Rough Nick" being repeated at 9 o’clock. Just at a time when first-class dramatic offerings seem to be getting scarce along comes tiic World Film Company with a really good melodrama, full of surprising incidents and sensational thrills, and with a unique love plot that is sure to hold the interest. "The Rough Neck” is a story of a primitive-na-tured man, who has been culled from a big lumber camp to become the political boss of the town, and falls in love with the daughter of a notorious graft-crook. Hia methods are direct, and he finds the petty intrigue of party' politics irksome. How he deans up the grafters, marries the girl against her will under threat of putting her father in gaol makes him the centre piece of a tine study of virile action, and in the hands of Montague Love, who does this sort of tiling really well, the drama gets a punch that swings the action along at a lively pace. A bevy of subjects arc screened (including the Gaumont Graphic, the latest Bathe World News, and a delightful “Chester” study are screened. Intending patrons are reminded that they may book their seats by' telephone at the Albion.

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. A long, and extremely interesting programme has been secured for the next three nights, commencing at 7.15 this evening with the fourth episode of “The Railroad Raiders,” followed by the Educational Review. a series of pictures that are highly instructive in addition to being of rare beauty. The star feature is a fixe reel drama "Bonds of Honour,” a gripping, fast moving tale of Japan, with a shift of scenes to Russia, of German treachery and Japanese honour. Sessuc flayakawa plays a dual role; that of twin brothers, one wayward, addicted to gambling and other vices, the other upright and worthy, the soul of honour and courage. Thrilling in the extreme is the unwinding of the plot, which discloses the traitorous behaviour of the evil-living brother, leaving the vindication of the family honour in the hands of his soldier brother. Hayakawa gives a \gmderful portrayal of the dual role, showing wonderful versatility. A particularly strong cast supports him, and the photography and settings are beautiful. The Topical Budget, and a bright comedy complete an excellent programme that should attract bumper houses. CIVIC PICTURES. TWO PARAMOUNT STARS TO-NIGHT. Another particularly attractive doublefeature Paramount programme has been secured for the mid-week change, to be presented in the Municipal Theatre this evening at 7.15. The first Paramount feature is entitled “The Love Burglar” with Wallace

Reid as the star. This is an adaptation of Jack bait’s successful play, “One of Us,” attd it is a compelling drama of high society and the under-world. Wallace Reid can always be depended upon to have a fascinating subject, and “The Love Burglar” is no exception. The second feature introduces Australasia’s own motion picture artist, Enid Bennett, who will be seen in “The Haunted Bedroom.” In this Paramount picture, Miss Bennett is seen as a reporter on a metropolitan daily, who is sent to an estate to investigate a certain ghost story, and a man's disappearance. She assumes the identity of a maid and finds no trouble in getting into the house of mystery- How she encounters the ghost and accounts for the missing man at the same time; and how she develops a romance to which there is no mystery attached, are events that build a fascinating story. The star gives a sincere and pleasing performance. Another huge Mack Sennett comedy will be shown entitled “No Mother to Guide Him.” It is one scream of laughter all the way through, and is one of the greatest cures for the “blues” yet invented. Our old crosseyed friend Ben Turpin has never appeared in more amusing situations, and will cause convulsions of laughter by his many funny antics—too funny for words. A very fine number of the Australian Gazette, another of those excellent Paramount magazines, first-class music by the favourite Civic orchestra will complete a glorious entertainment. A very wise plan is to book seats at Begg’s music shop, before 12 o’clock, thereafter at Miss Bcgg's fruit shop, next to the theatre.

THE GREATEST MASTERPIECE,

THE HONOR SYSTEM.”

What is claimed to bo the greatest pictorial and musical entertainment ever presented in Invercargill is that which will be seen and heard at the Civic Pictures in the Municipal Theatre on Saturday next. The management has secured the greatest of all the William Fox masterpieces ever produced entitled “The Honor System,” the film sensation of the century, in ten big parts, and played by an all-star cast. It is a picture dealing mainly with Sing-Sing prison life, under both the old and the new systems. The story contains all the elements that go to provide the breath-taking daredeviltry and heroism of the drama, while the scenes are so true to life that they simply beggar description. The human interest story that ■•redominates is so effectively told that the interest of the audience is raised to the highest pitch. The theme is exclusively of to-day, and the background is the stirring life of the South-west. The spirit or humanity in the reform of prison abuses plays a big part. In the big production will be shown the individual in a tragic battle against the forces of society. Many of the details of the story are founded on fact, and under the able direction of R. A. Walsh nothing has been spared to make it a truly stupendous spectacle. A number o;; the scenes were taken in Arizona and California near the Mexican frontier, and one, showing a raid by Pancho Villa and his bandits on a border town, actually beggars description, An all-star cast will be seen in this production, including Gladys Brockwell, Miriam Cooper, George Walsh ami Milton Sills. A big feature of the entertainment will be the musical portion of the programme, The now famous Civic orchestra will be augmented to six instrumentalists, which will be a feature in itself, and will - greatly enhance this remarkable picture. In addition to the matinee on Saturday there will be three other screenings—Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights, commencing at 7.15. Intending patrons are strongly advised to book seats at Begg's music shop, where plans for all three nights arc now open.

IMPORTANT DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT. J. C. WILLIAMSON. LTD., SEND “LIGHTNIN.” Friday next will see the production here of the famous comedy-drama “Lightnin.” This exceptionally favoured play will be presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., with a superlative cast, with the great character actor, John D. O’Hara, at the head. “Lightnin” has far proved phenomenal in its success If easily' broke all existing records in Melbourne by playing over 130 consecutive nights. An equal success awaited the play in Sydney, it having to be withdrawn to make way for other scheduled attractions after its 100 th night. It would appear that the unique success of the play is embodied in the wonderful and compelling personality' of-Mr John D. O'Hara, of whose playing of the leading part—“Bill Jones” —the Sydney Sun writes as follows: —“Lightnin” is a very clever play, interpreted by' an exceptionally clever company headed by Lightnin Bill Jones, inimitably portrayed by Mr John D. O’Hara. Mr O’Hara as “Bill Jones” is the most adorable of men. His appearance is so perfect that it is impossible to ascribe it to the art of making up, however good. It takes an unusually sweet disposition, even when seen across the footlights, to look ns lovable as John D. O’Hara. In fact, “Lightnin Jones” entirely captivates the sympathies of the audience, so that no one cares a solitary’ hang as to his very real faults. But there is no cloying sweetness about "Bill” —he is no prohibitionist and has a talent for picturesque exaggeration that is startlingly unique. But all his tallest stories have a nice spice of fun, as when he describes himself as a bee funner. It is really a great performance, and one that stands out head and shoulders above any other individual characterisation for more y'ears than we can remember. The box plans are open at the Bristol.