ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 154, 17 March 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPRESS THEATRE. Is the woman of to-day responding to the unrest of the nation? This is the theme on which is built up a stirring drama in modern society life, “What's Wrong With the Women?” screened for the first time at the Empress Theatre yesterday. It is a somewhat disquieting theme, and there were many women who shrieked in the theatre as a neglected child fell from the balcony to the street below. The woman in the piece was overcome with the craze for jazz; she became one of the legion of her sex who, for their husband’s meal, rushed to the corner butcher for something that oould be cooked quickly. If one could imagine Joan of Arc dancing the shimmy, one could go with these clever characters In the plot, Barbara Castleton, Constance Bennett, Milton Lackaye, Rod la Roque, and Montague Love, in their delightful portrayal of the scenes in the mad frolics of Bohemia. Perhaps woman has lost her importance to mankind by making a man kind to her, suggests one ot The leader, a very beautiful lady, with whom the playwright deals rather unkindly, belongs, to the unlimited liability company of Think for Yourself, Ino. Her wants are simple—all she wants is a little more. To her a husband is what is left of a lover after nerve has been extended; and to seek favour in the eye* of the man she secretly loves, she is prepared to standby while he admires another, so that the jazz might still go on. The poor, misguided young husband, who thought he could get in step with Jazz, the hymn of a republic, who. thought he could have Rolls-Royce dreams on a Ford income—what of him? It is all very beautiful, and one is interested to see how woman is at last proven to ba the most wondrous plant jn Nature’s garden, who bitt takes her colours from the soil she is planted in—’her environment. It is not suggested that there are any wavering wives in Wellington, but wives should see the picture, and bring'their husbands. There is a splendid supporting programme, and not the least entertaining part of it is the work of the Empress orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, especially their rendering of Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” and other masterpieces.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. 'A good racing picture always has its admirers, for with the kinema all the action, speed, and excitement of the ■port can he accurately reproduced. This is tho case with “The Sport of Kings,” the big racing drama screened at Everybody’s Theatre last evening. It is the old tale of a life and a fortune staked on the run of a horse. Frank Rosedale is a hot-headed, powerful ytojutji, who really loves Elaine Winter; but the latter’s uncle and

guardian does not like this fresh young man, and plots to keep him from the girl by poisoning her mind against him until she dismisses him. Rossdale, furious at the unjust treatment he has been subjected) to, goes tho pace for a time. Meeting Winter in the club ho sees led and throws tho plotter over tho bannisters. Meanwhile Elaine’s faith in Frank is slowly restored by moans of his faithful friend Hairy Lawson. Frank goes to pieces through Elaine’s rejection of his suit, and eventually finds ruin staring htm i)i the face—unless his horse ‘Your Majesty” can win. It is all to nothing. Winter, however, squares Bossdale’s jockey, who is found) doped at the last moment, and Frank’s final hope seems to be utterly lost,, when Harry Lawson, making the weight, jumps into the saddle, and wins the race after a great struggle. Victor MoLagan is a gocd athlete, of very fine physique, which is admirably displayed in an exciting glove contest, in which he proves the winner. Bhylhs Shannaw is Elaine, Douglas Monro figures as James Winter, and Cyril Percival is Harry Lawson. The string orchestra at Everybody’s, under Mr. Matt Dixon, is always a satisfying feature. STRAND THEATRE. “Blood and Sand,” now showing at the Strand Theatre, is one of the most powerful dramas seen in Wellington for some time past. It affords a wonderful insight into the fascination of the national sport of Spain, and with the romance and risks of the matador’s career. The bull fights, which are really thrilling affairs, have been photographed actually in Madrid, their home. Never has Rodolph Valentino, whose appearance was made so sensationally in the “Shiek,” achieved a greater success ■ than in this most unusual picture. Few women, too, have shown the passionate nature of love amongst Spaniards, as does Nita Nalai in “Blood.and Sand.” So vivid is the .picture that one feels the catstrophe, ere it comes. It is the best example of highly emotional acting, long-sustam-ed, that has been seen for some time. Katherine MacDonald, one of the most beautiful women at present on the screen, is seen at her best in “Her Social Value,” a six-reel National production, of exceptional merit. The supporting programme has decided merit. SHORTT’S THEATRE. “A Woman’s Craze for Diamonds.” Around that theme is woven one of the greatest tragedies of which thp screen holds record. “Pink Gods,” now showing at Shortt’s Theatre, is one of the most spectacular and outstanding productions that the Paramount Company, noted for such works, has yet turned out. The scene of the story is laid among the diamond mines of Kimberley, where, the mine owner (John Kirkwood), with the craze for

diamonds to aid him exercises an unholy fascination over women. The whole picture is produced on a scale of expense that might almost be termed extravangant. The acting of the all-star cast is splendid. Tho work of thg Kaffirs in the mine, the use of the Xrays to disclose whether diamonds have been swallowed, and tho carrying out of the punishments, are excellently portrayed. Bobe Daniels, as a slave to diamonds, is powerful in her acting. Mary Miles Minter provides the humour in “Her Winning Way,” wherein in order to interview a novelst she dresses as a maid and takes service in his house. The situations are handled only as Mary Miles Minter can handle them, and the audience is kept in perpetual merriment. QUEEN’S THEATRE. No surprise need be occasioned by the decision of the management o?> the Queen’s Theatre to screen the “Prisoner of Zenda” for another week. The picture is deserving of that compliment on its merits, and tho opinions of the thousands who have seen it are at one as to its greatness. From the aspect of setting, acting, or story tho picture is a triumph. It is the greatest success yet achieved by a company which ha's a long record of successes. Never before has Anthony Hope’s great novel been so vividly and realistically dramatised. The story abounds in thrilling incidents. The acting of tho principals is well-nigh perfect, but it is reserved to Lewis S. Stone playing in a dual part, to give the most remarkable exhibition of all. Prior to the screening of the picture, a musical prelude of great beauty and effect is performed by Mr. and Madame Hewitt. The augmented orchestra under Mr. A. H. Jerome plays a specially arranged selection of music, which adds considerably to tha success of the entertainment. There is an excellent supporting programme. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Colourful vaudeville and revue are the features of tho current programme at 'His Majesty’s Theatre. The bill includes such favourites as Beresford and Rennie, vocal duettists; Sam Stern,' English and Yiddish character comedian ; Potter and Hartwell; dancers and acrobats; Maurice Sterndale, the tramp violinist; and Edwards and Parkes, whose clever matrimonial sketch is as popular as ever.’ In the second half, the Hurle and Evans Revue Company keep the house in happy mood with a delightful extravai ganza entitled “I’ve Seen the Harem.” i Mr. Frank Crowther’s orchestra enhances tho success of the entertainment. “THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE.” “The Sentimental Bloke” is said to be a delightful blending of homely sentiment and humour, and it is expected to be just as popular in New Zealand as it was in Australia. The party scene is considered one of the funniest scones seen on tho stage. The stage Betting for this scene is delightful—the parlour of the back-block home, with its antimacassars, its chinadogs on the mantelpiece, its wax figures under a glass case, and the figures, each one after much pressing, “obliging” with a song of the sentimental type.. When the loutish ’Erb persists in his offer to sing “The Curse of an Aching Heart,” audiences just scream. There is also much sentiment in “The Sentimental Bloke.” The company include Misses Eileen Alexander, Iza Crossly, Stella Paytis, Alfreda Bevan, Alice Walton, Walter Cornack, Tai Ordell, Vivian Edwards, Jack Bontin, Herbert Walton, Edward Landa, Lulu Gordon, and Fred Brown. The box plan is open art> the Bristol. PRINCESS THEATRE. Priscilla Dean is a type of actress excelling in sensational productions. Those who saw her in “The Exquisite Thief” will remember what wonderful talent she exhibited in taking the part of a clever crook. In “Outside the Law.” now showing at the Princess Theatre, she is even greater, if that were possible. Assisting her is Lon Chaney, world-famous for his dramatic power. In this, picture he is more impressive than in even “The Miracle Man.’” The story is concerned with life in the Chinese parts of San Francisco, and is a most vivid representation of existence under the strangest mid most fantastic conditions. The spectator is kept on tenterhooks as the thrilling scenes are unfolded, where brain is pitted against brain, with life itself the stake. There is an excellent programme supporting the big picture. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. To-day’s big bill at the Grand Theatre, Petono, will present the everpopular Norma Talmadge in quite the best work of her career, “Love’s Redemption.” On the same bill is the big Larry Semon comedy special “A Pair of Kings.” The new bill on Monday and Tuesday will present Tom Mix in his six-reel Fox special “Just Tony,” a play of thrills, dashing and stirring. The Leo Kids are also on this bill in their comedy scream “Skids and Kids.” The change on Wednesday will present “A Voice in the Dark, 1 ’ a Goldwyn all-star drama, and the big special for Friday next is I). W. Griffith’s “Dream Street.” VIOLIN AND SONG RECITAL. Next Thursday in tho Concert Chamber, Town Hall, Miss Frieda Meier, violinist and Mr. Eric Rishworth, baritone, will give their first recital for this year. Works for two violins (so seldom heard in Wellington), include the Golden Sonata of Purcell, the old English composer, and three duets by Kotch. In these Mrs. Meier is assisted by Mr. Meier. Violin solos include the G. minor concerto by Bruch, “On Wings of Song” (MondelssohnAohron), and “Caprice Viennois” (Kreisler), Mr. Eric Rishworth will sing “Non Piu Andrai,” from the Mozart opera, “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and songs by Beethoven. Schumann, Tschaikowski, and Mallinson.