ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 53, 25 November 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALLAN WILKIE SEASON. Tho repetition of' “Henry V” by the (Mian Wilkie Wilkie 00. attracted another enthusiastic audience to the . Grand'Opera House last evening. Mr. Wilkie carried a >heavy load, and bore It with ease, and the Katherine of Miss Hilda Dorrington was another fine effort. The other members of the company were excellent in their various parta, and won the hearty approval of the audience. , “Henry V” will be repeated this evening, and on Monday evening “The Merchant of Venice” will be played, followed.on Tuesday by \ “King John.” On Wednesday there will be a matinee performance of “Twelfth Night,’.’ and the “Taming of the Shrew” will be the attraction for the evening. Friday will see “The “Merry Wives of Windsor,” and on Saturday, the last day of the season, “Richard HI” will be played. Mr. Wilkie and his clever company have a. heavy week’s work ahead of them, but the public should have many treats. \ “WET GOLD.” No one could bo proof against the thrills of the newest sensational picture, “Wet Gold” (Goldwyn), which was screened at the King, s Thenyl e * 1 last evening for the first time. It is a story of glorious' adventure m alien soaa, depicted with a wealth of detail and a degree of realism that is amazing. It is the contemporary on the screen to Robert Louis. Stevenson s “Treasure Island,” with an even stronger and more melodramatic story. In “Wet Gold” the • hero (capitally played by Ralph Ince) determines to recover treasure which has been lost ’by the sinking of the vessel in which it was carried. .His. plans, of course, become known to his enemies, who are naturally, conscienceless villains, and who place every obstacle in his way. The fight between them is earned to the bottom of the sea, where lies the wreck, half submerged in the mud, and here comes upon the scene a monster submarine. There is a hand-to-hand struggle in the water (after the fashion of the scene in “The White Heather”), in which the hero nearly meets his fate in the quiokaands; whilst the villain-is called upon to combat the attacks of a huge shark, which gives him his quietus. Finally, of course, the wet gold is recovered, and the hero wins the girl of his heart. The comedy picture is “One Week,” a farce that is full cf guffaws and titters. The fact that it is a First Na-1, tion-al production gives It the branat / of quality. “Screen Snapshots” and a good Gaumont Graphic also helped to enhance a most entertaining programme, The King’s Orchestra, with Roy firinsden as solo xylophonist in the spotlight, made merry music throughout tho evening. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. 'A strong. themo runs through 1 ‘The Half Breed,” which was screened at Everybody’s Theatre last night. In a stirring tale is presented the problem of mixed races which confronts America, with its large population of dark-skinned citizens. The hero is half an Indian, half white, and his father has left him the doubtful privilege of education, which develops his white nature to the highest point of culture, while it leaves the savage unredeemed underneath. This striking Morosco production is a tale of’ the lives of two girl friends at college, and bf two men, a white rancher of means find the Indian, whose education has brought, him wealth. The daughter V of a Judge, an Indian-hating autocrat of the cattle plains, has the soft, saf-ety-loving nature of civilisation, but she is stirred by the halfbreed’s wowing, and defends him against her father s sarcasm as a man and a gentleman. The Judge’s ideals of justice, where Indians are regarded, are peculiar, and the eviction of the hero s mother from her own land unleashes his Indian nature. \ - Here tfip . story takes colour, and life, and incident gives place to tragedy and hot, fierce passions. The other’girl, on. a holiday at her friend's home, given ail the sympathy of a generous, reckless, ; soul to the half breed, whose straightforward nobility she sees beneath the enforced outward calm of civilisation, and when, fleeing from tile consequences of his naturally aroused vengeance, he totters wounded into her , arms, she realises that life for her X means the under-life with him over tho Motiwhi border, and helps him across. A running fight with the sheriff, some fine horse-diving scenes, and a gallop for life before a herd of. stampeding cattle end beside a cradle in, the sunny patio of a Mexican hacienda. "Restless Souls,” the-other feature film, is a whimsical comedy founded on Rich-ard-Harding Davis’s novel, “Playing Dead.” “A Barrel of 'Trouble” (comedy), a Rathe Review, and a Gazette, are supports. The orchestra has . a particularly pleasing programme, including “Melilla,” a Spanish love song. EMPRESS THEATRE. Readers of fiction have been so charmed with the events narrated in ' Katherine Cecil Thurston’s novel, “John Chilcotfi, M.PI,” that they ’eagerly snatched the opportunity afforded at the Empress Theatre yesterday of seeing the screen version with America’s leading theatrical artist, Guy Bates Post, in the name part. Tho drama of Chilcote, leader of men, member of the. British House of Commons, who gives way to the awful drug habit, and dies in its clutches, and of Loder, the journalist, has cousin and likeness,, who steps into his ’clothes and his home to save England at a critical moment, loses nothing, but rather gains, in the screening, for here the two living characters are played by the one man, a consummate artist. How it is done is not disclosed, but the skill of the kinema producer reaches, its high-water mark m -presenting both men, in tho one room, conversing with each other —one sane, healthy, and vigorous, the other stepped in the misery brought about by his addiction to the drug. As “ihe Masquerader,” Post, who appeared m Melbourne and Sydney, achieved his greatcst triumph, and ong and all tv ill be thrilled with his appearance in how Zealand through the motion picture. Supplementing his success in . great measure is,Miss Ruth Sinclair m the part of the wife, who passes through many strange happenings before she discovers that the man who’ is acting as her husband is in reality another, but one whom sha has, learned to love. War breaks out and brings the solution of all her troubles with her hero winning the Victoria Cross, and the plighting of their mutual troth. Pho programme also includes the news film, “Pahs and Papas,” and episode 4 of “Nan of the North,” a tale of the Royal North-West Mounted lolico. Tho Empress Distinctive Orchestra present the novelty fox. trot, “Stumbling,” in an entertaining repertoire. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Fun light, colour, and excellent musio are the outstanding features of tho current programme at His Majesty’s Theatre. Elton Black’s Scotch songs are inimitably dry and humorous' Ed. E. Ford’s facial expressions, io>kes and stories, keep the audience simmering; Shipp and? Kenney are heard with pleasure in song, dance, and patter; and the .American revue shows the best ■ type. of sparkling American humour, which, though it differs from British standards, is welcome as a change. The drossing of . the sprightly ladies of the ballet, their finished dancing, and the whimsicalities of “Not Yob,” the company s latest matrimonial musical medley, form -a lolly, if jazzy, whole; seasoned by “Hermia’s” humour. The orchestra does the musical score of the revue.

justice, and accompanies all artists ivith success. — QUEEN’S THEATRE. x “The Right That. Failed,” as its title implies, now being, shown at the Queen’s Theatre, is a great story of the prize-ring, teeming with incident and characters new to tho screen. Mr. Lytell, beloved of picture patrons, plays the prize-ring hero with anj attractive charm all his own. V irginia Valh, a beauty of distinction,, takes, the appropriate part of a society girl engaged in a rather unusual courtship, the course of which does not all run smoothly. That veteran conie<iian, Otis ' Harlan, typifies a rollicking tippler, of tho old school. De Witt Jennings, tho heroine’s father, is the distinguished and courtly gentleman to the life; Max Davidson, the Iwmorous low-browed champion, Philo McCullough, the decorative and convincing lounge “lizard, and Bull Montana, the prize-fighter, all. represent their characters with faithfulness, The drama runs smoothly, and is undoubtedly a great story. The Selzmck release, “The Broken Gate,” is another big feature. This is the tale of a girl who paid for a foolish mistake of her. girlhood with twenty years of' silent suffering. Bessie Barriscalo draws with doft strokes a picture of mother love which is as beautiful as it is characteristic of. a great woman. Sam de Grasse, Marguerite de la Motto, and Joseph Kilgour are amongst those who assist to place on the screen a powerful romance, and they enchain the interest of the audience with its telling. A beautiful scenic, a comedy of great parts', the .latest topical budget, the Selzmck News, and the Queen’s Orchestra provide an excellent portion of the programme. At the. matinees, another chapter of tho serial. “With Stanley in Africa” is. shown. j

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. So .great has been the success of “Omar Khayyam” at the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres that the management have decided to play this selected super-film for one more week. The beautiful prologue, “In a Persian Garden,” has met with such splendid approval that it will also be presented for a further week. The romance, in itself delightful, has great charm added to it by the setting, and the audiences come away with the feeling that they could sit watching such an entertainment indefinitely. The cast is an especially good one, and the infinite varietv of the phases of the stonr are well portrayed. The prologue, In a Persian'Garden,” is as novel as it is artistic and enjoyable. The orchestras play appropriate Eastern music. PRINCESS THEATRE. There can be no question whatever as to Mabel Normand’s talent for rollicking comedy acting. If Gne was great in “Mickie”. she is superlative in “Jinx,” now showing at the PnncfJss. As a. little orph.au a waif stray-, ing through life, afid the one-time property of some people or the • circus, she is a scream. It is impossible to see this picture and not bo convulsed witn laughter from beginning to end. lhe second feature is a thrilling story antitied “The Midnight Patrol. It is a wonderful /example of what policemen are liable/to be called upon to do in the execution of their duty- . It is also a vivid portrayal or life in certain pans of the underworld in San Francisco, among the opium ddns. Thrill follows thrill in quick succession to* a ■ great climax. There is also a Keystone comedy and a Topical Budget in support. ' SHORTT’S THEATRE.

After a long absence, Ethel Clayton and Alice Brady have returned to Wellington in two superlative productions now showing at Shortt’s. In the first of them, “For the Defence,” Ethrt Clayton appears to great advantage. The picture is a sensational one, with a plot perfectly natural, It tells of a young woman possessed of a wonderful voice, who is in the toils of a crafty hypnotist posing as a Hindu nerve specialist. The scenes working . through to a great murder trial are splendidly done. The acting of all the actors leaves nothing to oe desired. The other picture, “Land of Hope, vividly portrays the lot of tho foreign immigrants who flock to the land of the ‘Almighty Dollar” in quest of a fortune, an education, and a free life. Miss Brady graphically works through the stages of loneliness to life in high. ..society as a talented ballet dancer. The setting of this picture is excellent,, and Miss Brady shows that' she still remains as charming and vivacious as over. The supporting programme includes a comedy (Mack Sennett), and "a very interesting gazette. The orchestra plays i appropriate musio. STRAND THEATRE. Lovers of genuine romance and intelligent .dogs .will welcome the presentation at the Strand this week of “The Silent Call,” adapted from Hal G. Evarts’ story, “The Cross Pull, .two tales are told side by side. One is of Clark Moran, a naturalist, and his love Betty, who are instrumental in bringing to their, fate a gang of cattle thieves ; and interwoven with their destinies'is the life storv of an outlawed dog, Flash,; who kills the villain with one fierce bite. The dog on. the film -was a Red Cross servant at the front, and his real life was not fur sh<©-t of the sensational story of the picture. Tho scenery, in the midst of which'the picture is cast is wonderfully shown in the faithful records of the film, (while the adventures ’through which the dog passes thrill all beholders. “The Girl in the Taxi,” in which Mr. and Mrs. Carter de Haven are prominent, is a screen version of the famous musical comedy. The exploits of a young man, whose father cons'id-

ers him a molly-coddle, are the leading features of the comedy, and his efforts -to disentangle thg embarrassing situation which confronts his father earns for him considerable kudos The supporting items include the exceedingly funny Mermaid comedy, “Robinson Crusoe, Ltd.. ’ ana a Rathe Gazette of considerable merit. GRAND THEATRE, PERONE. r To-day’s big bill at the Grand, Petone, will present Constance Talmadge in her latest productoon, “Tho (Primitive -Lover,” described as a gale of gaiety and laughter. On the samo bill is “The Acrobat of Death, featuring Sansonia, and the big Jimmy Aubrey comgdy special. “Tho Chicken Parade.” Monday’s change will present Shirley Mason in a play brimful of adventure, “The New Teacher, as well as a rollicking Sunshine comedy and Selznick’s sumptuous drama, “The Face bf EWorld A very strong programme on Wednesday w'ill be headed by Corinne GrSfith in “Island Wives,” and P« ! ® also Anna Q. Nilsson in Why Girls Leave Home.” Friday’s specia 1 is “The- Silent Call” and Richard Barthelmess in “Tho Seventh Day. “PAIR OF SILK STOCKINGS.” The production of the three-act comedy. “A Pair of Silk Stockings, under -the direction pf Mr. Culfprd Bell, will take place in the Concert Chamber on Saturday, December 2e This fine play radiates humour right through its three acts and is always'.very .popular. The cast is a strong one, .an d a finished performance is proceeds are in aid of the Institute Old Boys’ Cricket Club. /. * COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS’. CHOIR. .The Commercial Travellers’ Choir will appear in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night. As the result of constant practice for three years, un der Mr. Temple White, the choir has reached a degree of excelience^ .seldom achieved outside of. P^® 88101111 panies. The assisting lady vocalist is Miss Mabelle Esquilant and other .soloists are Messrs. Hugh Sydney Allwnght, and H. P" nn ’®, Mr. Harold Whittle will preside at the piano. . ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give another organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and the following items ar fi ., ■ mclurW id the programme:—Largo in G. by Handel, {fantasia (Op. 117), by Silas These two items are by request. M CEI ®V air and gavotte; Elegy, ° to the tragedy, Hine Christ> an H’. by Smelius; Rimsky-Korsakoff s Third Movement from “Scheherazade (Suite Symphoniqup for orchestra) ; Op. and'.Priqre, by Cesar Franck. CHRISTMAS ATTOACTIONS. Mr. Bert Royle states that the Christmas theatrical attraction in Wellington wiU be Mr Laurence Grosßmith in “Ambrose Apple iohna Adventure.” Mt. Grossmith is the son of George Grossmith (who created so many of the «medy roles Gilbert-Sußivan Operas), and a brother of George Grossmith, the prhsent-day London actor The visitor, who is said to inherit the family genius, married Miss Coraiie Blythe, a sister of Mrs. Veimon Castle; the American dancer. ihe Christmas attraction in Auckland will be tho Musical Comedy Company in “A Night Out,” which, has put up all sorts of records in Australia.

The members of “The Bat” Company, who were hold up hero by the seamen’s strike left Auckland for Sydney. yesterday by the .Ulimaroa.