ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18832, 27 May 1920, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. There was an excellent attendance last night when the new programme presented proved to he one of the most enjoyable and interesting seen here for -some time. The star feature “This Hero Stuff” is a most refreshing comedy-drama and the audience was kept in one continual titter of laughter throughout. The hero, William Russell, is a returned soldier who has gained several decorations for bravery. He becomes so sick of being fawned upon that he pose-s as a coward and incidentally gets himself into more fights than ever to prove to “the one girl” tisat he is not a coward. “An Indian Summer” is a distinctly beautiful picture, well worth the price of admission alone. The latest Topical Budget a further instalment of ‘‘The Railroad Haiders’’ arc also included. The programme is worthy of the greatest possible support, and should attract large audiences for the two remaining nights of the season. ALBION THEATRE-, MARY PICKFORD AND BESSIE BARRISCALE. An attractive double star programme is the attraction offered patrons at the Albion Theare to-night, commencing at 7.15. The first item on a lengthy programme is the Maiv Pickford film of Jean Webster’s “Daddy Long Legs.” At 9 p.m. Bessie Barriscale will make her debut in the romance “Josselyn’s Wife.” One of the funniest of all the humourous things with which “DaddyLong Legs” is loaded is the scene where Mary Pickford, as Judy Abbott, takes too much hard cider. A funny little freckled orphan and Judy lead a “prune strike,” striving to obtain better food for the orphans, and they happen on a jar of cider thrown over the fence by a thief, with dire results. Mary’s portrayal of Judy is a wonderful piece of characterisation. The picture needs no elaborate announcing for it has been claimed by the world’s foremost critics as the Mary Pickford film de luxe. Bessie Barriscale’s latest picture, entitled “Josselyn’s Wife,” is an adaptation of Kathleen Morris’ book of the same name. It has for its central character a charming young wife whose husband is an artist. Gibbs Josselyn, as he is known, takes his bride to Europe as he does not look favourably on his new stepmother. After a lapse of years, he brings his family back home, where a reconciliation is effected. It is then that he notices the woman he formerly frowned upon is decidedly attractive. Events occur which plane the philanderers on a communion of understanding, and the estrangement that is springing up between Gibbs and his wife, Ellen, seems ready to be effected any day. How the husband is caught in a trap that, means his imprisonment for murder, how the future looms up dreadfully black for Ellen, how the render appeal of the little boy, coupled with his confession of the crime, enacted in all innocence, rights thing? eventually, are events told absorbingly on the screen. There is also a comedy, ‘ In Love with Fireman,” and other films. The Albion Symphony Orchestra will be heard in the latest tuneful melodies and the overture “The Waltz Dream.” CIVIC PICTURES. WM. S. HART TO-NIGHT.

Most difficult to please, indeed, would the individual be who failed to enjoy and fully appreciate the very fine double-feature bill presented in the Municipal Theatre last evening, and which will he shown again tonight at 7,15. The programme includes a Paramount special attraction, in addition to a second Paramount feature. In the former, Wm. S. Hart portrays yet another type' of Western character in “Wagon Tracks,” and he has never yet appeared to greater advantage. He is seen as a guide in the fifties, leading a wagon train across the deserts and mountains toward the west of America by way of the historic Santa Fe Trail. The story is a gripping one from beginning to end, and contains much magnificent scenery throughout. Ethel Clayton is the star in the second feature “Men, Women and Money.” Miss Clayton plays the part of Marcel Middleton, and how she realises the love and sacrifice of her

parents, how she emerges from a social butterfly into a woman of beautiful character, are events that are depicted dramatically and entertainingly. • The Bray Pictograph is really excellent, and contains a most clever cartoon, whilst the scenic of Lake Leman is about the finest that has ever been seen on the screen, the stereoscopic effects being nothing short of marvellous. This delightful bill is rounded off with excellent music by the Civic Orchestra. TOM MIX ON SATURDAY. A special matinee for the children will be held on Saturday afternoon, when the daredevil horseman and cowboy, Tom Mix, will delight the young folk by his amazing stunts and equestrian feats. Other most suitable pictures will be shown, including another big Billy West comedy. "POSSUM PADDOCK.”

Our readers’ attention is drawn to the fact that the wonderfully successful laugh-ter-making Australian comedy, “Possum Paddock,” which is described by our contemporaries as one long riot of mirth and merriment, will shortly be produced in Invercargill. This much-heralded play, with its heart to heart story of life in the great "Outback,” has so far had a career that may safely be described as meteoric. Originally produced at the Theatre Royal, Sydney (September 7, 1919), “Possum Paddock” leapt into fame in a night, and established its initial record by playing six weeks to crowded houses. King’s Theatre, Melbourne (Cup week), saw the second advent of this production, the result being an instantaneous repetition of the Sydney suecess; and a season of seven consecutive weeks of capacity business greeted the “Paddock” and its clever artists. Adelaide and Brisbane have respectively confirmed the opinion of sister States, demonstrating this fact by crowded and appreciative audiences. “Possum Paddock” is presented by a company of sixteen specially selected Australian artists, notably amongst whom are Mr Fred. Macdonald, the inimitable “Dave” in “Our Selection”; Mr Jack Kirby, Australia’s most popular leading man (late A.1.F.) ; and Miss Kate Howarde herself, who has written, produced, and personally presented this greatest of all Australia’s laughing successes.