ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18854, 21 June 1920, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

GINGER MICK. AN AUSTRALIAN MASTERPIECE. Of late the public of New Zealand have learned to look forward to Australian picture productions with a good rleal more pleasurable anticipation than was case when the screen stories from the Commonwealth marie their first appearance. At that time some of them could not be adjudged but as a little crude, but, from the time that "The Sentimental Bloke” was applauded throughout the Antipodes, there has grown a realisation that moving pictures of a very high order, judged from the aspects of the acting, production and the story, can, and are, being turned out by the Southern Picture Company. And now, i i following on the success of "The Sentimen- . ! tal Bloke,” has come “Ginger Mick.” which should meet with the warm reception that was accorded its poetic sequel to ine t Bloke.” Ginger Mick is a charactei that j 1 has become the friend of all who aamire j the works of C. J. Dennis, and, when the popularity of the verses is taken into ac- j I count, there is no reason to wonder why the Grand Theatre should have been almost completely filled on Saturday night when the initial screening of the picturised version of the story took place. "Ginger Mick,” as most people know, is the narration in verse of the every day life and glorious death of a Sydney "rough. Ginger has a liking for public houses that is excelled only by his fondness for what is | obtainable in them, while, when times are I hard, his is not always the straight path ■ of virtue as exemplified in yielding to temptation when goods moveable and valuable are handy. In fact. Ginger, at least on one i occasion does 30 days’ detention for his ! sins. But Ginger's doings are not all . shady, os "his cobber, the "Bloke, ’ main- ! tains, and the romance associated with ' his ■ Rose” lifts his life at times to a high I plane. Ginger declares that he will not be I a soldier, nevertheless, after hearing something alxuit the Hun and his methods, he reaches Gall'iixdi where he distinguishes himself and receives a wound. His experiences are exciting and his impressions, as conveyed by a latter to his sentimental I friend, are vivid. With an inherited and ' bitter bias towards "the toffs,' he becomes changed in his outlook in consequence of occurrences that affect him considerably. : (.hie day. his friend in far Australia reads Ginger’s name under "the killed in action 1 newspaper heading, and there is nothing left Ui console him but his wife s reminder 1 that such a death was many times better : then a wasted life. There is no lack of pathos about the receipt of the news b) Rose. As relieving the more sentimental story of Ginger, many happy abstracts from "Doreen,” dealing with the homo life ’of that lady and the "Blake run through the picture, so that the spectator, as is the case with the reader of a novel, has ' variety of atmosphere in plenty to remove ' any suggestion of monotony. the scenes i from "Doreen” are mostly extremely amus- | ing, and because of their clever bearing on ! the domestic life of the every day man and woman, possess a strong human mtetcst i that is positively refreshing. As was done iin "The Sentimental Bloke,' Dennis s ' words are drawn on to describe the scenes, anrl the wonderful use of the Australian vernacular and colloquial expressions make a strong appeal to admirers of the original. !,\ Bathe Gazette is also shown. “Ginger Mick” is certainly a picture of exceptional i attractions, ami *a crowded house at the I showing to-night is expected. A splendid ! orchestra doe> valuable work in accompanying the screening. ' POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. j The large audience on Saturday had been ! led to expect something out of the ordinary ;in the 9000 ft mastei piece "My Lady s Dress,” featuring the English beauty Gladys I Cooper. To say that their anticipations | were realised would be putting it in a mild ( form, astonishment, admiration and appreciation being evinced in a marked manner as the astnundingly remarkable story was unfolded. "My Lady’s Dress” Is six distinct stone.' in one. told in drama form, and de- ’ picts the various countries and the loves, tragedies and hardships of the people whose j lives are interwoven with the fabrics that ! (jo to make "My Lady's Dress” It is not I a lady's picture only, but one that every' j one should see. It conveys a strong lesson I to all in addition to being extremely Lis--1 ciiiating and beautifully presented. The i latest episode No. 9 of "Railroad Raiders' ’ Is also screened, and the management announce a fresh epi-ode at each ch.nigi of programme. HAROLD LOCKWOOD AT CIVIC PICTURES TO NIGHT. Never has the popular Harold Lockwood, the ladies' favourite, appeared to greater a-1- ' vantage than he docs in the powerful and distinctive play, "Shadows of Suspicion,” a ’ screen classics. Inc. production written by 1 George Gibbs which gives tins no table actor a role of power and virility. Ihis picture will be screened again in the Municipal Theatre this evening. Hie s‘ory deals with ' ’ the silent and powerful methods of the Secret Service - showing their vigilant aim | untiring vv atehfnlness against the treachery i and intrigue of the ruthless Hun. Mr Lockj wood is seen in the role of a young l.nghsu- ‘ : man , who is looked upon with suspicion by ’ his friends because he has failed to entei ‘ I the army. That he is a powerful member ; of the Secret Service he cannot reveal and i has to ’near the unjust accusations even of the girl he loves. Circumstances ari.-e, however, which makes her help, imperative ami in this manner he is able to vindicate him>clf in her eves. Ihe thrilling happening.' and unusual romance make a production ■ which drew unbounded admiration and 1 which provides an entertainment of unusual i -.vorth. The supporting pictures are of a j very high order, particularly the Ford i Monthly, which graphically depicts the mak- ! ing of motor tyres. The management ex- ; peers the Fox ’picture, Tom Mix in "Ace HDh” to arrive in time for to-night s 'screening; in the event of its non-arrival, i a new second feature will be substituted— I one that cannot fail to please. The Civic Orchestral music is, as usual, most enjoy - ! able. Seats may be booked at 13 egg s without extra charge. j ALBION THEATRE. A FRENCH ROMANCE, Screened to a crowded house the latest Parisian attraction entitled "Eternal Love : niudb* it sensational hit at the Albion Theatre |nn Saturday evening. Ruth Clifford iuake> i a dclightfuliv appealing and charming Mig i non in the Butterfly feature "Eternal Love. 1 a sti>rv of Hoheniuiu life in the famous- ■ Latin Quarter and Brittany. The stoi\ i.-' | fresh and fascinating, with not a few setj tings of more than usual charm, and the /costuming has been lavishly carried ouC In [addition to playing the leading role ol tne I arti'g. Douglas Gerrard directed the pro- ( duction with conspicuous success. Coupled i with the same programme is the latest epiI sodo of "The Man of Might” and three other 1 interesting subjects. The programme is cerI tainly one that should command large audiences. Scats may be reserved by telephoning the Albion.