ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 34, 4 November 1918, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. Some years ago Jlisß Mabel Normand achieved something like world-wide famo. as a screen comedienne, and it is undeniable that her talents in this field were great-so great that her disappearance from Filmland was a real loss. But this disappearance has now proved to have been only temporary, for Bhe has made her reentry into pictures, with the Goldwyn Co., appearing in parts demanding an art widely different to that required in her old Keystone days-days, by tho way. of blessed memory! And it must ho confessed, regretfully perhaps, that in her new role Miss Normand is somewhat disappointing. In her latest picture, ''Dodging a Million," being screened at the King's Theatre. Miss Normand plays the part of Arabella Flynn, who at the outsot of tho story is a humblo but vivaciously impudent assistant' in an establishment which sells "creations" in female attire.. However, Arabella is marked out for less: humble places, and ift.is not lone before a lawyer happens alonfowith the stagger* ing news that she isrheiress to the millions of a late and EOmewhat remote relative. Her new circumstances provide no embarraßsmentß to Arabella, for she straightway proccedß to. demonstrate a capacity for spending-niagmftcent spending in fact. But with the inherited millions goes a set of conditions which must be strictly complied with. One of these conditions provides that Arabella must be guided by the advice of a man who is a sort of guardian. But' when tho inevitable happens, and Arabella falls J in love, the constant presence of this man leads to much misunderstanding, . However, after negotiating a veritable maze of surprise and mystery, the romance, which is fairlv well told. vn.ris out in the way all would have it. From the Producing point of view the picture-like all Gold-wyns-iB excellent, and so is the comedy, work (of which there iB a good deal) of Miss Normand; but there are a couple of scenes in the production , that have no point and quite fail to Impress. Supporting the leading picture is another instalment of "The Fatal King," which is proving to be one of the most exciting serials yet seen here; and the "Gaumont Graphic depicts all the latest happenings on the otter side of tho world. The accompanying music by an augmented jrchestKt proved not the least enjoyable side of the ontertainment. In future the theatre will be an evening house* only, the change commencing tonight. .An orchestra of special merit has been engaged. Nothing but' picked films of special excellence will be shown.-and an endeavour is to be made to present these great filmß in the manner of the best New York houses. The management intend to strive to have the King's Theatre known as tho picture house of New te.land.

EMPRESS theater Comedy, drama, cartoons, and topical photographs go to make up the bright and entertaining new programme which the Empress Theatre screened to full houses at all principal sessions on Saturday. It ia a nicely-balanced and well-selected bill, and is sure-to draw well during the week. The chief of the pictures iB "The i Oldest Law;" an emotional drama in .which June Elvidge iB starred. Better plots' havo been woven, but this story holdß the interest well and there are timer when tho tension is considerable. Briefly the tale relates the fortunes 'of Jennie Cox, the daughter of a trapper. On the death or her father Jennie yields to persuasion to go to the city, where bhe is found employment in an offlce. This position she loses, and when the friend who brought her to the city dies she finds herself in low water financially. Hunger drives her to a certain restaurant, wlwre she makes, tho acquaintance of one AVest, who has been divorced from his wife. Jennie accepts an offer to go to AVcst's and entertain his guests, who it transpires, are tho members of a poker school. Ono of tho school fleeces West by I.O.TJ.'s representing a large sum of money, and mentions the, matter to AVest's former wife, who secures the notes and returns them to West. Sim also facilitates the reunion of AVest and Jennie; The acting of the drama is good 'and the photography is of a liirrh standard. There is elaborate dressing, aaa 6ome of the frocks.are exceptionally pretty. As mentioned above, there aro other. pictures on the bill. Tho cartoons aro Bairnsfather's, and the comedy, is one of Arbuckle's, entitled "The New Baby.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A very powerful Triangle drama, entitled "The Runaway Wife." is the feature film at Everybody's Theatre this week and the' picture will please those who enjoy studying life's .problems. In- this .picture Gloria Swanson makes her debut aB the runaway wife, and she plays the nart with consummate skill, overdoing nothing. The story tells of the discontent of a your*; wife in a dull and desolate railway station, where her husband is the telegraph officer. Their baby dies and the wife blames the desolation and uncongenial surroundings for tho grief that has come to them. This causes, estrangement, ond the husband being absorbed in his duties has very little time to devot« to his wife, who believes herself neglected. She finally leaves her husbnn'd and goes on the stage aB a chorus girl. • While so engaged the tempter appears' on the scene.' Mid there are some thrilling' moments when the spectator' wonders whether the wife will yield. Bho doeß not know that her deserted husband has como to the same town and isMongine to find her. But the most fnucirating scene iB that of'a Btorm, and daring feat of saving an excess train from being dashed to nieces. The \supporting pictures are also very attractive.

' -vARTCRAFT THEATRE. At the Artcraft Theatre, Street, this week picture patrons have an opportunity of seeing that accomplished actress Mary Pickford in a picture of particular merit, entitled "Amarilly of Clothes Line' Alley." Miss Pickford takeß the part of Amarilly, an Irish girl, wayward hut lovable. " The story opens in the slum quarter of an American city, and is appropriately named Clothes Line. Alley. Pathos and humour are exquisitely blended, and the comedy part iB decidedly funny. As a pure winsome tenement cirl. endowed with simple philosophy, the heroine strays into the domains of the idle rich. Her beauty attracts one of the rich, but Amarilly being Irish is loyal to her friends, and she abandons the allurements of .a life of luxury and returns to her natural environment in Clothes Line Alley to find genuine happiness. The scenes are particularly Rood, the contrast between the slum and the rinh quarters being most vivid. The character entirely suits Miss Pickford, and her acting is throughout natural and fascinating. Tho supporting star item is "Tho Country Hoy.' in which Marshall Wielan and Florence Dagmar u.o featured. The story, deals with the adven. tures and experiences of youth who forsakes' the country for New York.

.' . MR. ALEXANDER WATSON. Mr. Alexander Watson, the English elocutionist, completed a highly successful season at tho Concert Chamber on' Saturday ovening before an audience which filled every 'scat and tho available standing room. Mr. Watson's programme- consisted of lone selections from "Nicholas Nicklcby an'd "David Copperfield," very wonderfully vitalised by tho elocutionist, and-a miscellaneous programme, which included Bomo more of'Hilare Belloc's "Cautionary Tales, Tennyson's "The Revenge/ and Rubenstein's Piano-Playing." Thojecital was a rare treat. > , Great enthusiasm was manifested when Mr Watson announced that arrangements had been made for him to rivo two extra recitals in Wellington on Novemberls and 16 before leaving New Zealand. Mr. Watson is due in England about the middle of January.

DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT. The entertainment to be given by thn iunior pupils of Mr. and Mrs. Oulford Bell on Wednesday evening is for a very worthy cause-the Wellington Free Kinder-garten-and dcserveß good, support. ,The programm? is a very strong or.?, ana n. first-class evening's amusement is assured. A fair-play, a-. tragicomedy, a, pretty Dutch 1 play and a ■humorous comedy of school,life, together with a farcolo be given hy The Thespians, entitled By Accident," compose the programme, and is expected to command a full house. The box plau-ii it the Bristol.