AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1926, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

DOUBLE PROGRAMME AT FULLERS.

“The Mu I Man,” ii story! written around tiie United States Mail service, is a spectacular drama, teeming with thrills and interesting situations. Screened lor the first time at the Theatre 'Koval on Saturday evening, it received appreciative atten- | turn from a packed house. 'Hie story concerns Bob Morlcy and his son John, mailmen in the employ of the United ; States Government. An attempt to 1 rob the sale at the post' office where they are employed is lrostrated : by the 1 father and son,‘and as a reward, John I is entrusted with an important mission j—the carrying of ten million dollars ; worth- of bonds on the U.S.S. Entcr- ■ prise to the Hawaiian .Islands. In the ’ meautiipe,; Bob Morlev has discovered 'that the robber is a neighbour named Morgan, but for the sake of Morgnif’a sick {laughter, he keeps the information to himself. Discovering that John Morlev lias been entrusted with tho delivery of the bonds. .Morgan, witji tiie aid of Captain Ivraiiz, a riiinrrnner, makes plans to get possession of ,tliem before the journey is completed. On the heat. .Morgan attacks John, killing another man in the struggle. John is thrown overboard with the bonds in his possession, and is picked up by Krnnz. Me manages to get a message on the radio, which is' picked up by the 'Pacific Fleet. After a thrilling chase, the rumrunner is captured, Imt John is held for murder, and also accused of being ail accomplice of the robbers. hie is sentenced to death, but a last-minute confession from Morgan obtains his reprove, and the picture fades out on a happy family scone in the Morlev household.- As Bob Morloy, Ralph Lewis is responsible for a splendid characterisation. Tho sea scenes, especially those concerning the pursuit of the riiin-iiiiiner, are particularly well carried out, and form the basis of an unusually gripping drama. The opening episode of the now serial, “Samson of the Circus.” featuring Joe Beiioinn, champion strong man. attracted groat interest. Dealing with tlio theft of a sacred ruby from a. Hindu temple, the story is packed full of thrills and mystery. and should prove one of tho most successful serials of tho year. AIT the equipment and stock of a lingo circus is used in the production, which embraces all manner of terrifying adventures ashore and afloat. A grand hicvcle competition, with a brand new Coachman hicvcle for the hov or girl presenting the correct solution of a sentence of fifteen words, one word of which is used ill the ‘ picture each week, is being held in conjunction with the serial. “MARRY ME.” / FUN AT THE GRAY'D. ft Ms said that a good laugh is the greatest tonic in the work! —pimple should laugh more, and they would he healthier. • Whether or not the large audience felt any bettor in health alter the pictures on Saturday night, they certainly left in good humour, as ‘‘.Marry' Me,” the principal picture on the bill, is one of the best hmghraiser.s shown here lor some time. J-Ictty. Gandy, a young school teacher, craved romance. On holiday, she met 1 John-. Smith, but.having to leave in a. , Jiurry, wrote a message to him that j would change her whole liie. Rut he ■revel - got it, because she had written lit on an egg, which had been pro;nptly . returned to cold storage. But Hetty , ■ believed lie. would conic, and so tliero is . quite ail interesting tale. ft is j a" wholesome, humorous and_ human i story;, and from start to . finish tho picture is milestoned with laiiglicoiivulsing scenes and situations that keep the audience in a state of hilarity. ; Un the. technical side, the production, i with its homely settings and snuill- | town backgrounds, gives a line .representation of rural life, and I sympathetically depicts the typical j {icings and goings-on in the average 'American community. Florence Vidor, jas the lovable and beautiful sclioolmarm, gives a restrained performance; Edward Everett Horton covers himself With comic glory as the dyspeptic hero; Helen Jerome Eddy is always in character, and John Roche gives Ins usual line characterisation. “Look out, I’m a goner!” one mail was heard to exclaim, as a big double-barrelled n-uii came right off the screen and presented itself right in front of Ins face, I whore it exploded—but this is only one of the exceedingly novel situations ill “Stereoscopiks,” a film ol fun, the ‘ next series of which will he anxiously awaited. A Christie comedy, and a charming scenic are Iso very accept- | able, while the musical accompaniment iby the Grand Orchestra was of a delightful nature.