ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 298, 10 September 1921, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

. "HAMLET.” The Allan Wilkie Company revived "Hamlet” at the Grand Opera House last evening before an audience which showed marked appreciation ot what is a very sound performance on traditional lines. Mr. Wilkie again donned the inky cloak of the melancholy Prince, and gave weighty, utterance to the fine philosophy.with which the Bard has enriched the wonderful soliloquies. Ono of Mr. Wilkie’s ’best effects is gained in the closet scene with the Queen, when in the comparison with the dead King ana hig murderer and usurper, he uses the medallion image of his father that hangs from his own neok and snatches the one of Claudius from his wicked mother’s necklace, sometimes stamping upon it to show his' rage and contempt for the one whom he (Hamlet) is too "pigeon-livered" to kill out of hand, eveu though urged to do so by the spirit ol his father. • True, Jlamlet was bravest in words, rather than deeds. Miss HunterWatts’s Ophelia was a gentle, appealing characterisation, with a deeply pathetic touch in the mad scene. Other good performances were the King and Queen of Mr. Gus. Neville and Miss L°™ a Forbes respectively; the Horatio of Mr. Robert Purdio, and the gravedigger of Mr. Fred M'Donald. This evening the company will appear cnee more in "The Merchant of Venice, with Mr. Wilkie as Shylock and Miss Lorna Forbes as Portia. To-dav is the first anniversary of the establishment of the Allan Wilkie company, and in the year 265 performances have been given. Box plans are at the Bristol. KING’S THEATRE. In the matter of sheer prettiness Miss Mary Miles Minter has few rivals on the screen, and her acting is invariably satisfying and agreeable, this -week she appears at the EiMfs Theatre in a delightful comedy entitled lhe Intrusion of Isabel." The tale is of an exceedingly bewildered young bachelor upon Whom Fate, without any warning, confers the unsolicited domestic companionship of. a an innocent and bewitching girl. It comes about in this way. Isabel end Bert Trevor (Miry/ Miles Minter and J. Parkes Jones) are the impecunious of a line ola Southern gentleman. Discovering how impossible it) is. to live upon the debts contracted by one’s ancestors, the young people move to New York, where Bert finds employment as the valet of Jack Craig (Allan Forrest). He describes his new job to his sister as partnership in business,” and one day, in the absence of Craig, he shows her the suite of rooms that is “partly his. When ho succumbs to temptation and robs Ins employer of 25 dollars, he goes off on a business trip,” promising to send his sister something from time to time. Ills long silence proves too much for her slender resources; she moves as of right into some of those handsome rooms he .showed her. Craig has not the heart to bxnlode the partnership story, and decides to go through with it. Just at the moment he has He is not in a position to deny that he married one Lois Randall on a recent "night out,” and the lady, is availing herseli of his doubts to the extent of striking up a rather intimate acquaintance with his cheque book. Of course he falls in love with the little girl who droppedfrom the skies into his apartments, and his -embarrassments are not lessened by the somewhat premature announcement of his match-making sister Fhat ho and Isabel are engaged. Having got fhe • man and'the girl into this delightful tangle, the playwright has saved the situation in a really ingenious fashion. Miss' Minter plays hod role splendidly, and Forrest, in his most iachelor mo- . meirts (which occur in the wee small hours after the redness of wine has made the whole world a treacherous heaving ocean)', presents a picture that * many matixyns will recognise as terribly true to life. The supporting programme includes a ( bright "Snookey" comedy and some very interesting topical matter. Rosa Valyda, -contralto, renders pleasing vocal numbers. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The present, as far as picture entertainments are concerned, is a day of “double bills.” In the past, this method of presenting qn entertainment was done with the object of veiling, the discrepancies of big pictures that failed; but a dduble bill at the Queen’s Theatre is something entirely.different. To see tvro big pictures ‘at the Queen's Theatre is to see twb photoplays of excellent calibre. Last night was a great night at the theatre. The . starred film was entitled “The Stolen-Kiss,’}'with Constance Binney in the principal role. It is a delightful, picture’, telling of the adventures of a girl who lives in a "stucco' house. How many "stucco” houses are there even to-day? The characters, with , the exception of the girl, are of the conventional type —the '.aged grandfather (for the father does not appear), the hated' governess. Miss Dormy, the housekeeper (only friend' to the little girl), and .the invalid mother, who is too ■ weak to bother about her daughter. But each character is delineated by good actors and actresses'. The hero is a little choir boy—a cheerjr soul, who climbed the garden, wall and kissed the little lady who looked so forlorn, cooped up in the area of a rtuffy Brooklyn' house with her ex-confederate, grandfather. But that same grandfather saw the kissing, and the result was that for seven years tho little, girl lived in Canada and the boy was left to dream of her image, and of one kiss, over the garden wall. The climax comes unexpectedly, and leads up to a delightful conclusion. The second headliner is one of Bort Lytell’s special, entitled "One-Thin g-at-a-Time O’ Day.” Mr. Lytell, a brilliant actor, will be remembered by patrons of the Oveen’s Theatre for his performance in "Alias .Timmy Valentine,” which had a successful season at the theafre recently. In this new film he proves his adaptibility.to an entirely different role. Ho plays the part of a bumpkin from Greenville,"'in a manner - that would make Charles Ray, of "Clodhopper” fame, very jealous; but bumpkin as he is, when some entirely unknown and dead rela-' five leaves him 11,000 dollars, he knows how to take care of it. He is at once endeared to those who see ■ him act, by his motto; "Do one thing at a time, but do it properly." One sees him do many things—learn to keep.his money, and,to bravo "con-men,” to cleai? a, car., and leave it in such’a state that the owner thought it was newly varnished, to fight a hulking bully several sizes larger than himself, and last (but certainly not least), to win tho love of his lady. In no part is the film wanting ’in amusement, and it .is undoubtedly one of the best comedies seen here for some time past. The supporting programme is good, and the Queen’s orchestra plays attractive music. THE STRAND THEATRE. The special/ attraction at the Strand Theatre this week is "Good References,” with Constance Talmadge in a role that enables tho attractive- young star to do some very good work. Facing the future, workless, moneyless, /referenceless, she ’suddenly hits upon a position as secretary to a wealthy old woman, and this is ' tho start of many adventures, culminating in a prize fight in a drawing room, led up to. being marooned on an island. The story is irresistibly funny, and always interesting. The other feature on 'the programme is "Slaves of Pride,” n powerful society drama, featuring Alice Joyce. Mr. John Farrell, who has just concluded a' tour as manager of tho “Chu Chin Chow” Company, left for Auckland yesterday. He will return south a. week, hence to manage tho tour of Mischa Levitzki, tho eminent Russian pianist, who is to commFnco his season in Christ, church on Saturday next. Mr. C. Bonne! will act ns treasurer and Mr. Scot Colville will be the advance representative.

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. From time immemorial great men have been rejected; great deeds disposed of with a wave of the hand by the Philistine nations; great thoughts spurned as being the mere froth of idealism. When a great Healer did come to earth, at the behest of His Father, He, too, was cast out and doomed to death on the cross at Calvary. But His mission to the world never failed. With His death came some Xeaiisatlon of the great calamity that Cie world had brought on itself, and the nineteen centuries that have passed since (he crucifixion of the "Man of Sorrows" have each in turn further emphasised the true meaning of faith. "Believe, and ye shall foe made whole." That is the message contained in the wonderful photo-play, "The Faith Healer,” wMch was screened yesterday at the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres. Lovers of the blatantly supernatural the wealth of mascivo detail as was found in “Intolerance” and "Quo Vadis’” may not appreciate the picture to the full, but those who appreciate simple beauty and the humblest conception of all that is . good in life, will leave the theatre much impressed and moved with what he or she has seen. "Are there miracles?” the prospective theatregoer will say, for nothing is better liked than, something that savours of uncanniness; and, ‘again, if those are the miracles he expects he will he disappointed. There are miracles in the picture, truly, and there are shown blind who are made to see, lame who are made to walk, deformed who are made whole; but the greatest miracle of all the miracles is the reborn faith of the Healer Who could heal others, but yob had to learn to have faith, Godgiven faith, in Himself. As tho Healer, Milton Sills, admittedly one of Ameriob’e finest character actors, gives a splendid characterisation. His conception of tho character of one of God’s chosen emissaries is that of the man of nature, who, tending his sheep in tho back country, receives a message to go and do good. Tho whole beauty of the idea of the story is brought out through there being a love element. It has ibeen said 'that the "heart-throb business" spoils a picture that purports to leave ‘the usual road of conventional drama; but in “The Faith Healer,” the introduction of Miss Ann Forrest as the unworthy girl -who loves the shepherd, makes for the .real appeal of the play. She allowed him to love ner, niter one of his greatest miiacles, not telling him she had been the mistress of a. city doctor. Then, of ;i sudden, his power failed him, the multitude stoned him, abased Him. The realisation came. "I have lost not through love," he says, "but through thinking love anything but God-given. There is a striking conclusion—one that left many tear-filled eyes amongst the onlookers. The scenery of tho picture is nothing short of superb. The supporting programme is good, a travel film showing nimnies in Central Africa.. being especial fy fine. At evening sessions Mrs. Burgo. will sing saqred and appropriate songs at certain stages of tluf. big picture, and music will bo supplied by the augmented orchestra. ' EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Respectability‘ls something the value of which even the unrespectable realise, and with which they try to camouflage themselves. That is what the heroine of "Respectable by Proxy,” the entertaining photo-play screened at Everybody s Theatre yesterday, attempts to do.. The picture is a delightfully original and breezy romance, in which is blended , a touch of the melodramatic and the comic. It has all’the piquancy suggested by its title. The leading roles are filled by Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon, and they are supported by a well-balanced cast. Miss Dreamer’s wistful beauty has never had a more pathetic appeal than in the xole of the actress whose kindness of heart puts her in a position where she is forced to be “respectaole by proxy.” Tho story revolves around a young southern heir, who is wedded m haste to a fourth-rate actress. After a repentance as hasty ns his marriage, the bridegroom sails fof Siberia, and is reported lost at sea. ‘ When he comes back, he finds another actress in his mother’s home posing ns his sorrowing Widow The precarious condition of lus mother’s health prevents the truth being told and when he falls in love with hie pseudo-wife the situation becomes quite complex. The scenery in the picture is very picturesque, being reminiscent oi the South and the old colonial'mansions. The supsertliP.g films include Pipe Dreams and Prizes" (a Vitagraph com-, edy), the Paths Gazette, and a picto.8 rfl P h ’ " EMPRESS' THEATRE. A special attraction was Included in the change of programme presented at the Empress Theatre yesterday, ,*in the shape of "Tho Victim," a film produced by the Catholic Art Association of New York, and featuring Robert T. Hames as Father CosgrovF- The theme is as powerful as it is unusual, beingvhat oi, a priest firoi in the resolve to ' give his very life rather than divulge what he had learned in the secret of the confessional. The theatre, was crowded at al! sessions, and in the’ evening many persons had to be refused admittance. As to the stoi'y, Father Cosgrove, beloved by all his parish, and innocent of any crime, is accused of murder. The real murderer, seeing a policeman approaching rushes into the presbytery, and demands from the priest tho right to make a confession. Father Cosgrove acquiesces, and while he is granting absolution 1 the murderer sneaks away, leaving a smear of blood on the priest’s hands and the dead man’s wallet on the table. Other /links are added to the chain of circumstantial evidence against the priest, who is arrested for the murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Throughout his trial and during tho whole of his incarceration he maintains an impenetrable silence, ever preserving the sacredness of the confessional. Finally, just when the priest is being sent to the electric chair, the denth-bed confession of the murderei prevents the dreaded sentence being carried out. The supporting films include a comedy, featuring "Snooky” tho monkey and a further episode of "The Lost City.” From Monday next the King’s grand orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, will bo in attendance each night at the’ Empress, during the renovation of the King’s Theatre. COLOSSEUM RINK. Towards the end of the present mpnth a fancy 7 dress, poster, and evening dress masquerade carnival will bo held in the Colosseum Rink, and prizes totalling £5O will bo offered. Patrons of the rink are looking forward to the event with interest. Attendances day by day continue largo, especially at the night sessions, when the playing of tho orchestra adds zest to the pleasure of skating. Beginners have nd need to be chary of taking the floor, as tho services of competent instructors are always available. SUNDAY CONCERT. Grieg’s Concerto for pianoforte and orchestra will be the principal item on' the Professional Orchestra’s programme to-morrow evening at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tho soloist will be Miss Blanche Crump, and rehearsals are said to give promise of an excellent performance. Other items by the orchestra will be Beethoven’s "Fidelio” overture, Tschaikovski’s famous "March Slav," and tho sextet from "Lucia" (Donizetti). Mr. Henry Moschini will conduct. Ad- . mission will\be by silver coin collection. SUNDAY’S ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard Page will give his weeklj organ recital' in the Town. Hall to-mor-row night, and the following constitutes the nrogrnmlno:—Sonnta in D Minoi (Faulks), Canzonet. (Bernard 1 Johnson), Fantasia in A (Cesar Franck), Elegy No. 2 in G for strings (Tscbaikovsky), Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Dorien), (Bach).

Two new rqeords hnvc been established at Wrexham—a death-rate of 22.7 per 1000, and reduction of the infantile mortality rate from 142 to 67 per 10C0 births.