ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATRE, A tastefully selected programme of pio tures and music—vocal as well as instrumental—was presented at the KingVl'Leatrc last evening, and it proved most acceptable to tile large audience in attendance. Of the several films screened, the laurels went to a fast-moving story of American life, "The Way.of a Woman." The story is a cleverly conceived play on tho finer susceptibilities of life, nnd it affords Norma 'J'almadge, who plays tlio stellar role, amplo opportunity to bring into action the attributes' which, entitle her to foremost rank among screen actresses. The story itself bears the hallmark of the eminent dramatist, Eugena Walter, being an excellent adaptation of his famous play, "Nancy Lee." Tho f rocking, of tlio play is superb, and Norma T'almadgc fairly revels in the bewitching array ot gowns in which she makes successive appearances. Never ••before hai> she been afforded an opportunity of wearing so many beautiful gowns,'hats, and wraps—all creations of art. Tlio scenes of the story are laid on a Southern plantation, and in tho gayest parts of New York. The plot iB woven around the trials of a young Southern girl of an aristocratic but poor Virginian family, who marries a dissolute New Yorker, for the financial advantages she hoped ha would bring to her family. This gives rise to a series of intensely dramatic situations. The supporting films include "Tho Kingdom of Spring"—a scenic film of unusual merit—the latest Gazette, and comedy and educational subjects. Pleasing variety was lent to the entertainment by the appearance of the Melody Four, an accomplished New Zealand quartet, who gave a most enjoyable selection of part songs. The King's Orchestra was also to the fore with a charming |?eloction of incidental music, "Ballet Russo" (Luigini) being given as an opening number.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A very entertaining change of programme was presented at Everybody's Tlfeatre yesterday, and all sessions wero crowded. The principal attraction was "Tho 'J'ong Man, a screen dramatisation of Clyde Westover'6 fscinating work, "The Dragon's Daughter," pile of tlio most interesting books of Chinese life in America ever written. Sessno Hayakawa. appears in "The Tong Man" as a hatchman. and lie is completely at. homo in his role.. Helen Jerome Eddy plays the part of his Chinese sweetheart. The story is a startling exposure of the un-der-world of San Francisco. The veil is lifted from Chinatown, and a Tong war is shown in progress. J'he picture is largely descriptive of the doings of tli3 "hatchman" retained by the Ton™ to deal out retribution to all offenders against the peculiar laws o£ tho order.' It is notable for its lavish settings alia its sensational happenings. A very acceptable supporting programme is provided, headed by another episode of the interesting serial "Mystery of 13." ihe latest Gazette, a droll comcdy, and a good scenic subject are also being screened. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Sunnyside" and "Back to God's Country." the two pictures which have just had such a successful run at the Kiug s Theatre, headed yesterday's new bill at tho Empress Theatre. "Sunnyside is tho third million dollar pic'.uro produced by the world-famous comedian, Charlie Chaplin, who is seen at his best in this production. He figures as a "rube" farmhand, crossed in love and dogged to desperation by a choleric employer. His antics are both clever and wonderfullv humorous. "Back to God s Country" is a delightful romanco of NorvhWestern Canada, from tho pen of James Oliver Cunvood, the well-known natural-ist-author. It is a very powerful story, and deals with tlio life of Dolores, a. child of the wilds. The drama is full of exciting incidents, and some of 'he scenes were photographed within the Arctic Circle. No fewer than sixteen diiferent.species of wild animals figure in the production: Tho part ot Dolores is taken by " swimming star, whose love of animals makes them her. friends / and .protectors from prej'ing men. Ihe eighth episode of the thrilling eevial Liberty" is also included in the programme. FACING DEATH WITH A CAMERA. A splendid collection of films _ depictin.' a part of the world which is prac-• licallv unknown, even to the residents of the continent to which it belongs, is "Australia's Wild North-West,' as 110 picture is called. It embraces the peail fishing, turtle catching, dugoiw (ssu cow spearing, scenes of the wonderful coral reefs and islands, quaint fish, crabs, and animals, besides the »rtd tribes of spun and boomerang throwers, ihe m » special sticks to make a spark lo tinder in making fires is demonstrated 'by close-up films ot the.■savages . duim» the operation. This picture is said to bo the first of its kind secured, ihe wc" ( [ ceremonies of the savages o. <> •< nJ uninhabited-islands and the coast pio vide an intensely interesting and insti motive spectacle, 'fhis picture will be p esented for the first tune in New nt tho Empross Theatre commencing next Friday. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Miss Shirley Mason made her _ debut as a William Fox star at the Queens Theatre yesterday in a striking ciicus story, entitled "Her Elephant Man. The story is woven around the-life ot a castaway babe, who is found and enled for by a veteran of -the sawdust, until she finally blossoms forth as the st.n rider of the "big.show. ' U>? w " l . so '! l ® personality of sTiirley Mason m all t » irresistible charm of the rmg nicture one well wor'.h seeing.. Ihe supports include the latest Sunshine comedy, "Her Private Husband. THE PIERROTS. The fare provided by the English Pierrots has won the approval ot the enter-hiniuent-loving public, and enlhusiustic audlerces are the rule. Each sueeecdin» change of programme has been light up" to the highest standard, and new bill is said to bo one of the best yet put forward.

AUSTRALIAN DIGGEES. An attraction of unusual " V"' nounced in the advent of Austulias Smart Set Digger Company at the Giaml K Houso for a. season commencing Aueust a Our New Zealand Diggers received so hearty a welcomo in Australia that Messrs. J. and X I it,io solved to return the visit J>> nenoi 8 New Zealand the foremost A" 8 ' 1 " 11 ' 1 " Digger Company to give a tastei of their nriist a soldici «uici ever'- soldier* a n artist is the.c'aim mado oil behalf of the Smart Set Diggers whose 4 ndian to«r met with suet remark; Mo success.. Tho ™7 ovnol ' S ° ot that briahtness is 'no kcjnou. lb, excellent entertainment The company was orginali} lonu 5 u.i«, atsurSHftrSkk BS'JVSS 8*» «* gg* fcfejgft -"1: from grand and comic opera, lho female impersonators are said to bo 10nn table, especially the principal character sustained by Digger Charles Holt, .Hm k accused of causing envy among the women in lh'' audience by the enso and grace with which ho wears the iatnil most artistic gowns. The liiusiS side of flic entertainment is sain .to b« nartieularly strong, -the artists >nSh.dC Sir G. Castles (brother to Amy CVes) Mr. Jock Thompson (baritone), and Albert Torsello (harpist). 0 her noi'formcrs are Messrs. I'red Whitlow, r; Butler, Ralph Sawyer, Eeg Jl'Laughliii T. Carpenter, K. Eoberts, and others. B')k plans will open at the Bristol on Wednesday morning.