ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 227, 19 June 1920, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

■"SAHARA;." "Sahara," tbo new ,T. S. Roid picture, shoirci'at the King's Theatre last evening, is a fascinating'offering. A very strong and'foasiblo dramatic story has been woven into a wonderfully novel and arresting setting—tho mysterious Sahara, It tells of John Stanley, engineer, who, marrying a flighty Parisian actress (played by Miss Louise Glaum), •takes' her with him to his big job in the desert. Then} tho woman, pining fori _ the _ adoration that hvas hora in Paris, sickens of the loneliness. One ' day out of tho desert stalks a stately Baron Alexis, a Russian with Nile, estates, and becoming enamoured of release, she elopes with him. In Cairo the wealthy Russian establishes,her in a palace, 'and olothes her like a modern Queen of Shoba. But happiness is not heirs. Her grave servant and philosopher tells the restless creature that true happiness comes from God, and seeking a pay out she visits the Street of Beggars, to find in its filth and squalor the wreck of her husband, crazy wjh has- , and with him their little velvet-eyed boy. Conscience lashes her to do the right thing. She tatys the poor wretch and her child back to the palace. A furious scene '. ensues when the baron ascertains that she is sheltering another, and as ho attempts to \ strangle her, Stanley, still mad, ehoow him dead. The incident impels hor to seek refuge and forgetfulness m the bosom of the Sahara, and there another life begins. The desert scenery is very weird and wonderful to stay-at-home eves, and the many beautiful ; tableaux and silhouettes presented in the course of the story, havo a distinct charm/ The King's Orchestra maintains its high reputation for good musio most admirably played, last evening tho programme included': Tschaikovsky's lively "Nutcracker" suite, which was played with, rare verve and understanding. Puccini s "Butterfly" musio was also used most effectively in the latter half of the chief picture. Other pictures were a- ' Qaumont Graphic," some comical "Cartoons, in the Country," and a number .'of lovely scenes in Chester. . Madame Marie Germain,.the vocalise of the evening, is a mezzo-soprano with a full dramatic voice, which is used 1 with nice discretion. She sang a beautiful "Ave Maria," by Luzzi, and "The Carnival," and was well received. There will be orchestral matinees to-day and 'on Wednesday', ."■■'.'■..

BVERYBODT'S THEATRE. An excellent new programme was .presented at Everybod/s Theatre, yesterday, and at the several sessions throughout the day the attendances were both Ir.rge and enthusiastic. The leading picture was "Carolyn of the Corners,' «hich deals with cine of those- human waifs and strays which sets out in life's battle as a flittle "unwanted." Bessie. Lovo takes the "star" role, and her clever acting contributes an, no small measure to making the story as unfolded delightful to a degree. Bessie Lovo has already achie'rad a liigh reputation among theatre-goers, and this is considerably enhanced in this picture. The picture is an excellent piece of child-life characterisation, lull of simplicity and gentle charm. Pessio Love has for her partner a wonderful canine called "Prince," who proves that ho is a most talented performer. The story is adapted from the well-known novel by.Euth Endicott, and deals with the vicissitudes of country, life. , Prom the (human point elf view it is specially attractive. As an orphan, goes to'the home of x her uncle in a email village, where she succeeds in endearing herself to all with whom'she. associates. "Carolyn's" trials are many and varied, however, bat she puts n bold face on things, and eventually wins' her way to Teal happiness. Not the least important of many interesting features is an exci,Siiv* forest fire. The photography .generally is superb, and '■he staging, is-all that could be desired. The supporting items to "CarcCyn of the Corners' have been specially chosen; and include an excellent comedy, u. beautiful scenic, and a Gazette dealing with a number of subjects of topical interest. The programme will be repeated to-day. •

'EMPRESS/THEATRE. "The Moral Deadline,".a. big. feature film, bulked largely in the change of programme put on at the Empresi Theatre yesterday. All sessions drew capacity houses, the picture registering a. ■universal appeal. In "The Moral Deadlino" the principal roles are filled by June Elvidje and Prank Mayo, support ed by an exceptionally talented cast. The picture, raises the question, why' is there one law for the rich, and another for the poor? The heroine could dance »t a society dinner to amuse her husband's friends, yet when he found her doing the same dance at an Eastside cafe he considered it ian offence, and demanded her arrest in the interests of public morality. Which was the stronger tie—the woman he loved, or the wishes of his parents? To' them, love.was all, and in marrying a girl whose social rank was inferior to his own, he dared the anger of his parents, and the ostracism of his friends, nnd faced a future that contained hardship and unknown tribulation, yet was rose-tinted with the overwhelming love of the woman who was to share his joys and misfortunes. The unweaving of this social tangle provides the basis for .an interesting story in which interest never lags. The supporting films included -the first number of a sensational serial, entitled. "Liberty.",. The picturo features Eddie Polo and Marie Walcamp, and somo idea of its magnitude may be giiaged from the fact that it took two years to produce. The scenes are laid in several countries and are wonderfully realistic. Special attention is drawn in the advertisoment about today's matinee for the children, when "a Teal Charlie Chaplin film will bo screen-; ed; The picture is one of the redoubtable "Charlie's" best, and will be shown only in tho afternoon. THE DANDIES. The Dandies of 1920 played to a orowded house at tho Town Hall Concert Chamber again last night. The Dandies' programme is a very excellent one, but the season will close-to-night, so those who do not wish to miss a delightful entertainment should make a point of' attending this evening's performance. MISS RENE GOTDER'S RECITAL. Miss Rene Goyder, of Wellington, who studied for some considerable time under Miss Mina Caldow, is to give a recital in the Concert Chamber on Saturday, July 10. Miss'Goyder. will be assisted by some of the leading musical talent of Wellington. ' SONG RECITALS. The song recitals to be given by Nurse Kathleen Garven on June 28 and 30 in the Concert Chamber are expected to prove a great attraction to all lovers of good music. Nurse Garven's repertoire is very extensive, and includes operatio arias by Handel, Gluck, Schumann, Schubert, Meyerbeer, Donizetti, Brahms, Ambroise Thomas, Saint Saens, Massenet, Ponchielli, Bizet and Lietlcr. Songs by Hahn, Lemaire, Pontenailles, Hullah, Harriett Ware, etc. Two charming songs (the .words_ of one being by Miss Adams, of Wellington), composed by the well-known Wellington musician. Miss Adela Medley, will bo sung, and are expected to create" much interest amongst musicians and students as well as the general public. Nurse Garven will bo heard in one of Mai Bums Loughnan's (New Zealand composer) songs, "A Chinese . Lyric." The Wellington Male Quartet will perform 6ome of their, delightful .' part songs. Miss Paula Scherek will play some of the best known and most popular violin work. Miss Nellie Hayward, of ■ Christchurch, will be the accompanist.