AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 April 1926, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE SPORTING VENUS.”— AT THE GRAND. Gerald Beaumont’s new storv, “The Sporting Venus,” while off Ids beaten tiaek or settings, misses none of the bio and dramatic thrill that have made ffi-3 previous efforts so welcome to tho world ot fiction and film lovers, as, for instance, “ r lhe Dixie Handicap,” a ■recent Metro-Goldwyn production. Like many of Jiis other stories, “The Sporting Venus” luis been filmed in this 'instance with Marshall Noilau handlin'--the megaphone for lUetro-Goldwym fior the purposo, Mr Neilan took a. complete production unit to Europe, and scenes were enacted at Biarritz, Paris, London and Scotland. This lias invested the production with tlto full ..charm of authenticity, as well as adding a feature of grout intrust, it is a talo of it high spirited girl of the British aristocracy, her love for a commoner, and the attempts of an impecunious Continental jjrincc to marry her for her .wealth. Much humour ims been injected into the wealth of drama comprising the plot. 'Tho. cast is a fine one, unusually so when one considers the time and .distance entailed in travelling. The three principal roles are taken by Blanche. Sweet, Ronald Colniau and Lew Cody, whilst other players areGeorge Fawcett, Eduard Murtindel, Kate Price, Hank Mann and Arthur Hoyt. Blanche Sweet and Ronald Colniau are fast becoming a popular, double in pictures,- and Lew (Jody it winning a name for himself as a light comedian. “The 1 (Sporting Venus” will bo screened-at tho Grand Theatre to-night. Supports include a charming New -Zealand sconic, -the “Patho News,” an animated cartoon, and a lengthy “Screen Snapshots.” Seats •may bo reserved'- as usual. Telephone 486. ' ' -

i'll AN K M AYO AND VIRGINIA V Aid'd IN “WILD OItANuNS.” A story abounding in thrills and suspense, and .currying through it a study of tear and its control of the human mind, has boon made into a photoplay in “Wild Urunges,” which Wing V’nlor filmed lor (Joldwyn studios. It is the current attraction at the Thoatro .Royal this ovoiung. ,;‘‘\Vild Urungos” is one of the most popular works of America’s celebrated .novelist, Joseph liergesheimer. -The tragic duatn of his wile felt John Wooilolk stunned, ' and lie sought seclusion, aboard ills old yaclit. With a Scandinavian sailor, ho wandered about the world. One day the little yaclit chopped anchor in a quiet lagoon ol the Georgia coast. Woolfolk went ashore and met a peculiar trio, Litchiield btope, Millie btope, and Nicholas, a hall’ wit, who acted as'handy man about tile btope household. Liiehtiukl btopo lnid ‘ lived in the wild swamp land ever since lie had been ostracised from Virginia because of an embarrassing incident which occurred during the Civil War. Nicholas lind driitea to the swamp land and made Irieuds with him, but the soiitu'de had driven him insane. Millie appeared the most friendly of the trio. ■ Woolfolk invited her for a ride on the yaclit. ''hem they returned, Millie thanked W oolioik ana started for the house As oolioik turned toward the skill he lieaid Millio .scream. lie looked up just in time to see the massive form pi Nicholas hour down on linn, knife in hand. 11l the light Wooilolk gained possession of the knile and threw Nicholas to the beach ’Unit evening aboard the yacht. Wool I oik realised tint liiv was in love with the girl. J'lo confessed his love, and the. two limdo nlans to leave on tlie yacht Uiaf evening. That night Woolfolk waited on’the shore for Millie and her grandfather. 'When she- did not come, Woolfolk hastened to the house, and found the dead form of Lichfield btope Iving oii the (loor. On the stairway terrific fight with Nicholas followed, .'luring which Millie escaped from the it.mil in which she had been bound and em'ged by Nicholas. After a. fierce i'urht Millie and Woo folk escaped m (be yacht, and though Nicholas followed thorn, firing at them, they not away safely to a new hie- of peace and jov. - Supporting films will include the '“Gaiimont Graphic,” an excellent scenic subject “Rocks of Rio,.much •uid u very humorous two-reel comedy, ‘■Hot and Heavy.” Seats may be booked now.