AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 7 April 1926, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

i “CLASSIFIED.” t AT THEATRE JIOYAL i ! The versatility of Covin no Griffiths 1 is never so veil demonstrated as in the «. First National production "Classified, shown at the Theatre Royal last oven- ; ing, and it is apparent that this ■ nnpular star can go irom society drama to high-class comedy without any api parent i.dlort whatever. As the daughter of middle class parents, the ’ heroine works on the advertising deI partment of a big New ’l oil; paper. ■ Her duty is to scan the advertisements in rival sheets, and induce firms to do business with her paper. Her mgrati iating- manner brings her on good terms 1 with many wca.thy men and travellers, and she possesses good enough clothes to carry her through the scheme of de- , centum. Falling in love with a young i fellow who is a chum of her brother, ■ she is piqued with him when ho fails to make a particular appointment, so takes a ride with one of the idle rich, whose ulterior motives are very soon evident. The girl, however, has dealt with his kind before, and escapes Irom what promises to be a very trying situation, hut is forced to walk home, where, on arrival, she is faced by infuriated parents demanding to know the reason for he'r conduct. Ihe hero, bringing the wealthy idler before the parents, forees him to explain, and this clears the girl’s reputation. A pleasing finale is shown. Supporting the star is Jack Mulhall, the popular young leading man, and in the hands of Iwo such artists the story is exploited to the utmost advantage. A “Gaumont Graphic,” a bright comedy entitled “Felix The Cat,” and “jumpy Jack,” a most interesting feature, completes a very, enjoyable programme

“EXCUSE .ME” AT THE GRAND Rupert Hughes, the celebrated novelist and playwright, provides a plot of unusual interest, fun and thrill in Gouldiug's Mctro-Goltlwyn production, “Excuse 31o,” which was shown to a largo audience at tire Grand Theatre last evening. The cast is ideal, comprising five leading players and a number 01 minor artists. The five arc: Norman Shearer, Conrad Nagel, Renee Adonic, Bert Roach, and AVuiter Hiers, and they are quite at home in pleasing light comedy roles. The plot, in outline, is quite simple. A young naval lieutenant and Ins sweetheart are desirous of marrying before the former has to join his transport, and they do. But it is not as easy as all that! There is a whole continent to be crossed before the ship is readied—the last train is due to depart, vet no minister is in sight. At the last moment a clergyman is seen hoarding the train, and the couple follow with the intention of marrying en route. it is the immediate disappearance of the clergyman that is the signal lor reel .upon reel of laughs and thrills. The final scenes m winch tile train crashes through a ,yarning bridge after the hero has flown in an aeroplane in an attempt to save it, brings the picture to a great finish. “Excuse' Ale” has already come belore the public as a novel and a stage production, but the film version soars right above either in the versatility of its treatment and eomp.etoness of etl'ect. A very complete and entertaining programme includes a “Rathe News,” a clever cartoon, “Screen Snapshots,” and a very interesting New Zealand scenic.

“THE FARMER’S MM EE.” COMEDY SUCCESS FOR THEATRE ROYAL. Tho next J. C. Williamson attraction is “The Farmer's wife,” a reigning Loudon comeuy success, by Eden Rhillputts, which will be staged at tlio Theatre Koval lor one mglit only, on Friday next. Tne play will introduce to theatregoers many new Loudon artists, ami bring bade several who have appeared here before. Typically English 111 appearance is Doris Johnstone, who plays the devoted housekeeper of Applegarth Farm. Originally playing, "flapper ’ roles with Seymour Hicks, she graduated to Shakespeare festivals at istrattord-on-Avon, and to leading roles in comedy and drama, tine of the principals of Ethel Irving’s company, wnicli toured the Dominion some years ago, .was Townsend WJiitiuig. ’ He plays the farmer, as well, as produces tho comedy. His London experience indudes comedy, drama, and musical comedy. Recently he was appearing with -Mrs EatricK Campbell. \ inlet Ley, who plays tile fox-hunting willow —one of the many the farmer considers willing to marry linn—also toured with Ethel Irving. An.outstanding success ’of the present Australian tour is Susan Richmond s skcLch of Thirza 'Dipper, a spinster whose girlishness is persistent. Hu* ccmcfly atao introduces a tanglod skoiii of love interest among a quartet ot vouugor people. One ol the faimei s daughters will be played by Frances Cave. Edwin Brett, Douglas Vigors, Graham Stuart and Emmeline Or lord are among the other iLis]» playeis in the company- A brilliant cast also includes Millc Engler, 3 atty Landau, Reginald Newson, Arthur Greenaway and Eardlcy Turner. “Hie Farmer’s‘'Wife” is a play of quaint types and characterisations, and is described by a Sydney critic as tho biggest laugh for years- ■ U>« -Herald” (Auckland) says: “Ilie first night audience fairly revelled m the. delicious humour of the play, the rustic odour of the white-washed kitchen, and the amazing love all airs of the village people. Ike box P'-ms are now open at the Bristol. GERALDINE PICTURES.

If an unparalleled cast of comedians makes an exceedingly funny picture the reason for the great success of Reginald .Denny’s “Vi here Mas J. which is coming to the Municipal Theatre, (JuraUlnu?, to-night. .it -onid not bo anything but a rip-roaring omedy-drama, lull ol tlio most jenous ' Highs' that ever greeted tlio screen s nuniest actor. He is supported in £s picture by Chostor Conklin, Loo •.Scran, Otis Harlan, and others. Conklin has long been famous as one ,r the screen’s greatest comedians 'or years lie starred in comedies; but with the coming of the big features ,nd the need for comedy relict in hem, he took up that lorm of the rt. The story was hv Edgar Frank!’'n' and ran as a serial in a popular magazine. The adaptation and continuity were done by Melville Brown and Rex Taylor.