ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 251, 17 July 1920, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATRE. "Happiness a La Mode," the latest medium in town for the exposition of tho witchery of Constance Talmadge, attracted a large audience to tho,icing's Theatre last evening. This photo-playlet is interesting if only for the flaring light it flashes on how divorces are manufactured in America—and very possibly elsewhere. Barbara Townsend is a young society _daine who believes that the modern social code imposes on her the duty of taking no notice of her husband's doings, even to the extent of his flirtations, until, spurred on by a designing minx, Doiothy Mitchell, ho conceives tho idea that his wifo no longer cares for him and proposes. a divorce, which) neither of them really desire. Barbara lets him have plenty of rein, and knowing his deep-down love plays an artful game, even after the decree nisi is procured, until her woman's wit brings back the errant husband, and thoroughly humiliates tho woman who had endeavoured to wreck tht'ir happiness. Tho play is far from, devoid of humour, as witness the sceno when Townsend hnds himself in a room at a stra'ngo hotel with a professional co-respondent,, a fewalo' terrible, who boasts that he is her fourth case that day—at 25 dollars a time. Miss Talmadge, m a scries of'brilliant frocks, sustains her reputation as one of tho most attractive 6creen actresses, and excellent support is accorded her by Mr. Harrison Eord. What 6l«ould draw audiences to tho King's during next week is the first official screen pictures of tho Prince's tour. In white naval uniform and a big cork helmet, the Prince is shown electrifying the residents of Barbadoes, and later his reception at Colon, his passage through the Panama Canal, and. the welcome accorded him at San Diego are all interestingly depicted. The programme includes a Gaumont Graphic, Cairo (scenic), "TUe Solace of Solitude," . ,"A Smoky Lovo Affair" (comedy), and "Captain Grogg among the ■ Wild Beasts" (sketch ed farce). Mr. Charles Moore lifted a vigorous baritone in song, selecting "Who Keeps the Sea," "When My Ships Como Sailing Home," and "Because I Love You So." The capable King's Orchestra played "Edelweiss" as an overture, and much good incidental music.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A picture which cannot fail to please the great majority of theatre-goers was included in tho change of programme submitted at Everybody's Theatre lust night, in tho shapo of "Nature's Gentleman." The film features James Knight ami Madge Stuart, and is a beautiful production 4'rom, tho leading English film house. "Nature's Gentleman" is <i play of deniociacy, based on a cleverly conceived p.ot, and is typical of tho high standard of British productions of tn day. Tho story deals with a secret love inarriago between tho daughter of an earl and his servant, a man of sterling character, that afterwards hangs in the balance, owing to the efforts of a snob bish mother, to force the girl into a marriage with o, man of her own sta tion. The young husband is prepared to renounce tho wife ho loves, and the fortune the earl lias left him, thinking that by so doing he can assure her happiness, but tho 6acrilico is rendered unnecessary by the girl's action in acknowledging her love and denouncing the shame and snobbery of tho society her mother graces. Variety is lent to tho programino by tho screening of the first and second episodes of the thrilling serial, "Mystery of 13," in which Prances Ford is featured in a series of sensational incidents, including a burning ship at sea.

EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Man They Could Not Hang" head- • ed the new bill at the Empress Theatre last evening. This picture drew crowded houses at Everybody's Theatre, and it* extreme popularity has decided the management to give those who have nol already seen it an opportunity of view ing it at the Empress. It tells the lift* story of John lee, who was known all over the world as tho man the Enelisii prison authorities could not hang. Three times he was placed on the scaffold, anil on each occasion the gruesome instrn ment of death failed to act. Lee's sentence was then, commuted to penal servitude for life; and 23 years later ho wan released. ' During the of the picture Mr. Frederick luii'dahe, the English actor-orator, delivered a lecture which proved very acceptablo to tlm audience. The supporting Sims in the current programmo include another absorbing episode of the sensational serial. ."Liberty," and topical and scenic sub jeets, "MOTHER HUBBARD" PANTOMIME. The Moeraki, with the principals, chorus and ballet, together with the entire production of J. and N. Tait and Bai'ey and Grant's pantomime, "Mother Hubbard," is scheduled to arrive in Wellington late on Monday night, and the pantomime will open on Wednesday ■evening at 7.45. The magic wishbone plays a most important part in the dmduction, and it was a happy inspiration on the part of Barry Lupino, who. when the matter of tho "Bone" was being discussed, suddenly hit upon the idea of a huge wish-bone, and seeing the success that has attended tho pantomime since its first performance it looks as if thu-o is something in the time-worn custom of holding on to the wish-bone to aid in . invoking Dame Fortune. However, it is Dame Hubbard that is the subject of the pantomime, and played as "she" is , by that clever comedian, Barry Lupino, the famous old woman of nursery rhyme takes on a new lease of life, 6eeing that the skirts do not in any way hamper the acrobatic agility of the agilo comedian. "Her" husband is played by Jack Cannot, who has two big song successes to bis credit in "How I Won tne D.C.M.," and "Signora." Of the specialty acts the Creightons are uniuue i» their juggling, and Moon and .Morris display clever terpsichorean ability in a caricature of tbo popular "Miitt and Jeff" comedians. Of the intelligence of the canine who so prominently figures in the mythical rhyme, William A. Hassani might justly be proud. Ho has portrayed animals of all kinds, but his present "Bully," the dog, is said to be an inimitable performance. The box plans open at the Bristol on Monday morning,

•THE ENGLISH PIERROTS TO-NIGHT. An entertainment of high order is promised nt tbo Town Hafl this evening, when the English Pierrots,. under the direction of Will and Eob Thomas, will commence their season "of humorous and musical entertainments, presenting programmes of monologues, sketches, eccentric studies, pianoforte recitals, and instrumental novelties, including aid the latest world's novelties in these and many other items. Tho novel methods adopted/by the Pierrots as a. means of introducing their musical fare, are attributes which have elicited much favourable comment from the Australian Press. Frequent changes of programmes aro promised, and tho company is expected to prove as groat an attraction during lae forthconiiiur season .as was tho case during their many previous visits. The fun > and merriment is stiK headed by those excellent comedians, W. P. Turner and Charles Lawrence, whose efforts were so greatly appreciated last season. The company now consists of sixteen members, inclntliii" an instrumental orchestra of four lady artists. This has proved one of the most successful items yet introduced into the combination; iii addition there are five other artists entirely new to tho company since their last appearance in the Dominion. Judging from previous visits and recent reports from Australia, the season should - excel previous efforts' In driving dull care away. Tho box plans are now open at tho Bristol.