AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 9 April 1926, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

| “BEFORE MIDNIGHT.” AN ELUSIVE MYSTERY. Most audiences revel in. a mystery story, and in “Before Midnight,” which was shown at the Theatre Royal last evening, they certainly got their fill. Featuring Barbara Bedford and William Russell, the story is full of plot and counterplot, and the mystery as to who is the actual crook is well concealed. Moreover, it becomes more complicated as it unfolds, and the onlooker is kept in suspense until almost the finish, when there is an astonishing denouement. An emerald, valued at £25,000, is stolen, and the chief of a detective agency orders the heroine to watch a suspected party. The girl has no inclination for this kind of thing, but is forced to do so, otherwise her brother will he charged with forgery at the instigation of the chief. The suspected maty «"nd the heroine meet at the home of a wealthy woman, where they fall in love., The woman learns that the hero has the jewel, but she obtains it by stealth. She does not return it to the detective chief, but determines to send it to the rightful owner, believing- that, in this action, she will save her lover from prison. The hero, although much in love with the heroine, suspects her of complicity; ho regains the jewel. under peculiar circumstances, but is arrested by the chief of the detective agency, whom he bribes with a 10,000 dollar bill. This is really the lattor’s undoing, for, it appears that the hero is really the new owner of the detective agency, j and rumours of graft having become 1 prevalent, the emerald robbery was “framed up” in order to find the real culprit. Needless to state, a very happy finale results, to the complete satisfaction of nearly all concerned. A strong supporting programme includes the “Universal News,” the popular comedienne, Wanda Wiley, in ! an unroariously funny comedy “Speedy Marriage,” and Charles Putty in a Star comedy “Speak Easy.” “WAGES FOR WIVES.’-! EXHILARATING COMEDY. A rollicking comedy, based on a scries of domestic troubles, “Wages for Wives,” adapted by Eos Films from Guy Bolton’s Broadway hit “Chickenfeet,” which was shown at the Grand Theatre last evening, proved an immediate success with . Timaru audiences. There are probably more good wholesome laughs packed into this film than; any comedy this year, and its theme, which has to do with a fair division of the family bankroll, gives it an unusually broad appeal. The scene is laid in a typical American small town, whore Jim Bailey, a typical middleaged husband, doles out to his helpmate on pay-day just what he thinks . she should have, and spends the remainder as he .sees fit. The wife, one of those meek little souls, accepts her lot with a sigh, but her daughter (Jacqueline Logan), just become a bride, considers such a system all ■wrong, and makes no bones about saying so. She also makes it clear that she will insist on a better break in her own home, and agitates a strike in which three husbands are loft to look out for themselves. The results may be imagined by any wife who has ever left her husband to keep bachelor hall for even a few days. Creighton Hale, as the young husband, while outwardly protending to be in sympathy with the husbands’ cause, secretly yearns to end the strike, and two of the wives soon weary of the experiment. Jacqueline Logan, as the bride, however, remains adamant until old Mr Tcvis (Dan Mason), the village station agent, takes it upon himself to act as arbiter. Supporting .Miss Logan and Mr Hale is an. admirable cast, including Claude Gillingwater. David Butler, as the wise cracker of the village; Zasu Pitts, as the wife who struck because she was dragged into it; Earle Foxe, Margaret Livingston, Margaret Seddon, and . Dan Mason. In addition to the big picture is an Imperial comedy entitled “Heartbreaker,'’ and a very interesting. Fox News ” The musical accompaniments, contributed by the Grand. Orchestra added materially to the enjoyment or the house.

“RIP VAN WINKLE.’-’ The great dramatic comic-opera “Rip” will be staged at the Theatre Royal on Monday and Tuesday, 19th and 20th April. “Rip Van Winkle”( Mr G. R. M. Jones) will he supported by one of the biggest companies oyer seen on the Timaru, stage. The music is particularly fascinating, and. as the orchestra have been rehearsing with the company for tho last four months, the result is very fine., ,One of the biggest attractions in the opera is the superb dancing of Miss K. R. Davidson, as , the “Rhino Fay.” Despite the big expense of producing the opera, popular prices will be charged, 4s, 3s and -s. THE ENGLISH FUTURISTS. Theatregoers of Timaru are promised a treat next Wednesday and lhursdav, the 14th and 15th; when the English Futurists, a company of ib artists, now on a world tour, and who have been drawing packed houses at the Crystal Palace, Christchurch, for tho past two weeks, wilt appear at the Theatre Royal. G. W. Desmond and Cyril Nofthcote, who present this talented company, will he remembered as tlio principal comedians with tho late Sydney James’s “Royal Strollers, who toured New Zealand some years ago. They were with Mr James until his unfortunate death in Karachi, India, in 1919. It was then they decided to form “The English Futurists, and since that date the company has, with slight alterations and augmentation, successfully played in no less than, nineteen countries, covering over one hundred thousand miles in so doing. The show is enhanced by the inclusion of “Tho Cabaret Kittens—a sprightly ballot—and the Futurists Jazz Orches- | tra, and vocally is represented by a, soprano, contralto, operatic tenor, and a baritone. There are four comedians of entirely different types, and incomparable dancers. In this latter category will he discovered two old favourites in Gus Dawson and Eily Dalgeish, who were with the New Zealand Diggers company. Georgeous gowns and 'nrtis- 1 tic scenery dress tho show ns it should be There are no tedious “stage waits,each item following its predecessor with lightning-like rapidity. Messrs Desmond and Northcote claim tho show as an entirely new typo of entertainment, and style'it “The Cabaret Show. Popular prices will prevail, and a complete change of programme will be offered on the second night. Patrons are advised to reserve accommodation at tho Bristol, where the box plan will ■ be opened on Saturday.

GERALDINE PICTURES. Paramount’s “Peter Pan” will be screened at Geraldine on Friday and Saturday. This story by Sir James M. Barrie has gained world-wide popularity, and the producers of the screen version have also gained immortality in tho archives of the history of film production. Betty Bronson in the title role has earned for herself world-wide popularity. The supporting cast is a big one, and includes Ernest Torrence. Cyril Chadwick, Anna May Wong, and Virginia Fairo Brown-

ONE OF THE FAMILY. TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD. , “Please send me a new rubber ring for my Melotte separator. She is « No. 2, 50-gallon machine. I bought this separator twenty-three years ago, and have used it continually ever since, with very little expense as regards repairs. I have nerer had it overhauled, neither have I had replace any gear wheel or bearing or any 6ort during all these years, and. the bowl has never got out of balance. It is running as truo to-day as when the machine was now. I have a herd of twenty cows, and tho separator is in use all tlio year round. She seems good for another twenty-three years.” The name and address of this, and many other enthusiastic “Melotte”* users may be had from England, Mcßae, Ltd., agents, Timaru. ... - and R-augitata District. *