ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 153, 16 March 1923, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPRESS THEATRE. The. trend of tho truly modern picture is to delve to the root of the pressing social and human problems of tho day, and this is ono of the reasons why tho film is to many busy people taking the- place of the novel. Not only are the characters put before them in an attractive way, as regards costuming and the convincing reality of action, but a lesson is often conveyed far more completely than would be possible by print. Such is said to bo tho case in the great super-feature film, “What’s Wrong With Women?” to bo screened at the Empress Theatre this evening. Never was a. lesson of tho day driven more deeply homo than is the stirring—and somewhat disquieting—theme of this exquisitelypresented romance with a moral. It is described as a delightful story, dramatic, intense, and with a. powerful climax. The cast is a very strong one. Barbara Castleton .and Constance Bennett lead such stars as "Wilton Lackaye, Rod la Roque, and Montague Love. The dancing scenes will charm everyone, and the costumes aro said to bo wonderful. A Mermaid comedy, and tho latest Empress News. Film are the supports. The Empress distinctive orchestra has prepared a special programme of music well attuned to the needs of so engrossing a picture. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Nothing holds the attention of the public like a good racing film by a British producer, and “The Sport of Kings,” to be screened this evening at Everybody’s Theatre, is said to be one of tho best of racing pictures that British studios have turned out. The heroine is pretty Phyllis Shannaw, and Victor McLagen has the leading male roljei. (The racing atmosphere of a great sporting establishment is strikingly portrayed, and tide story moves rapidly to a stirring close. The racing includes steeplechases and gallops, and the villain and tlio hero have a breath-talcing struggle in which the former is thrown over a balcony. QUEEN’S THEATRE. . Once in a great while there comes a motion picture which can be hailed as almost perfect. Such a picture is the Rex Ingram production for Metro of tho famous story, “The Prisoner of Zenda,” which, owing to the. remarkably fine welcome it has received, will be screened at the Queen’s Theatre for a further week from to-day. This photo-play, which is based on Anthony Hope’s novel, has been skilfully adapted bv Mary O’Hara, gorgeously mounted bv the Metro Company and the excellent cast —which in earlier days would have been labelled “all-star” — Elbows the inspired direction of that young wizard of the screen, Rex Ingram. The production will be presented with a beautiful mus’cal prologue, with special scenic and lighting effects, and with Mr. E. R. .Hewitt and Madame Mildred Hewitt in the roles of tho two leading characters of the play. A special musical score will be rendered by the Queen’s orchestra.. The box plan is at the theatre. AMATEUR VAUDEVILLE TRIALS. Considerable interest is being evinced in connection with the amateur vaudeville trials to be held at the Grand Opera House to-night and to-morrow. Large entries have been received for all the events, and keen competition is expected. A long and varied programme will he presented consisting of ballet singing, com'c singing, dramatic and humorous monologues, comedy sketches, jazz and eccentric dancing, whistling specialists, concertina selections, banjo and guitar selections, and numerous other novelties. Tho management, in presenting. this programme to a Wellington audience, consider it the strongest and most interesting that they have yet •itroduced into New Zealand. As large audiences are anticipated patrons are advised to book their seats at the Bristol Piano Company, where a big demand for reserves lias already been noted. EKETAHUNA PICTURES. At Eketahuna on Saturday the attraction will be a Universal film entitled “A Parisian Scandal.” This is tho story of Liane, daughter of a French count and a American woman, growing up amidst the temptations of wicked Paris. Her grandmother instructed Basil iHammond, to write her a detailed report of Liane’s way of living. Tho . young man had brains, but the girl with the French accent was a. boob hi tho ’ologies. And tho fates slipped in a hard boiled count with a passion for duelling in the grey dawn. “Prof.” Hammond wandered about with hi* heart wrapped about his pencil—writing tattle tales for grandmother. That’s how the scandal started’. The film tells the rest. “THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE.” The laughter that is akin to tears makes havoc with the emotions of those who see C. J. Dennis’s stage version of “The Sentimental Bloke.” It is said that there is an elusive charm about this simple Australian play that cannot be seen through the ordinary spectacles of dramatic criticism. The spirit of Dennis’s original poems transfuses tho dialogue—a contagion of sentimental song that has gained full expression through the medium of Mr. Waltei Cornock and a talented company, every member of which is said to fit his parlike a glove. Messrs. E. J. and Dan Carroll present “Tho Sentimental Bloke” with a wealth of care and detail that, has been rarely, equalled. The Wellington season is for nine nights only commencing on Tuesday next. The box nlan opens to-day. PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. Another excellent double-feature bill is promised for tbo Paramount and Artcraft Theatres to-day. The main item will bo “Shirley of tho Circus,” a great circus picture full of thrills. Tho other attraction will l>e “Boss of Camp 4 ” HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Vaudeville and revue comprise the bill of fare at Fullers’, and both aro of a high standard this week. Beresford and Rennie (refined vocalists) are artists in pathos and humour, Edwards and Parkes supply a clever little sketch, Maurice Sterndale, the jazzing violinist, is v master of syncopated melody, Sam Stern does Yiddish character sketches, and Potter and Hartwell are dancers and acrobats of nolo. “I’v<? Seen the Harem” is the title of the merry revue provided by the HurlEvans Company, which excels in ballets and mirth. STRAND THEATRE. The Strand management announce that they have secured the Paramount masterpiece, “Blood and Sand,” after its phenomenal season at Everybody’s Theatre. This su-per-feature was specially selected as suited for Rodolph Valentino’s particular form of genius, and it is his beat role to date. Tho picture deals with the life of Spam, and of the career of a young bull-fighter, who attracts the notice of a beautiful society ladv whose pastime is wrecking men. Uiis colourful romance is full of fine settings and enriched with extraordinary scenes of the bull ring. The supporting picture, a First National attraction, “Her Social Value,” features Katherine MacDonald. It depicts the adventures of Marion IJoyte, who presides, over the destinies of a glove counter in a large department store. She makes the acquaintance of a young society man, who

saves her from arrest on an unwarrant ed charge, marries him, nd thus moves up into a higher strata of society. Her husband quickly learns that there is a penalty for marrying outside of his set. An interesting supporting programme will be screened, and will include a Tony Sago cartoon, “The I’irst Circus,” and the latest Pathe Gazette,