ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 165, 31 March 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALLEN DOONE COMPANY. Allen Doono, who is at the head of tho company that is to appear at the Grand Opera House this evening, is one of the most magnetic comedians New Zealand has seen. He is a stimulant for the heart and brain, while his songs strike a responsive chord in the heart of all lovers of sentiment. Mr. Doone does not rely on his comedy and his singing for success. He is powerfully dramatic when needed, and he ncvelr fails to rouse any audience to a high state of enthusiasm. Supporting Mr. Doone is Miss Edna Keeley, a dainty, graceful and gifted actress with a sweet musical voice. Miss Keeley' has become a pronounced favourite throughout Aust traha and New Zealand. The other members of the company are all wellknown performers. The opening production for this evening will bo the charming comedy-drama, “Lucky O’Shea,” by Theo Burt Sayre. It has been enormously successful wherever it lias been staged. The plans for this and Monday evening’s performances will be on view at the Grande Confectionery Shop at the Opera House. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Those who are superstitious l —and those who are not —should see “The Ladder Jinx,” screened for the first time at Everybody’s Theatre last night. A jinx is the perverse little spirit that makes everything go wrong just when it is highly important that it should go very much right. Arthur ‘Barnes walked under a ladder and danced over a room the day they made him cashier of his bank, but oh! the things that happened afterwards. Engaged to tho president’s daughter, on his way to her birthday party where tha engagement was to J>e announced, everything happened at once that could go wrong. He should have taken warning when his cash trav capsized at closing time, but he didn’t. The whole trouble arose through his obeying a telephone message from his girl to go hack and walk backwards under the ladder. Just as he had done so and was taking it way a burglar fell on him and left some of the, loot on the ground in escaping. While he was handling it he became mixed up in a series of crimes and misadventure. He made three starts to get to the party and struck fresh trouble each time, winding up Wy breaking his engagement, being chased by the police and leaving pieces of clothes on every fence he climbed. The bank was robbed that night and he got blamed for that too. But thanks to an old negro janitor (with a rabbit’s foot), who recovered the money, it all ended weU. To just show the power of a jinx the piece of cloth from the burglar’s coat fitted the tear in his. “The Ladder Jinx” is one of those really funny films that bring reminiscent chuckles on the way home. Pathe Reviews, half scenic, half topical, are the cream of the newsy films. The current one at Everybody’s shows beautiful snowforest scenes, the latest society fad of painted shoulders (and legs), Greenland' in summer, delightfully artistic glimpses of a school of seals m the great Californian combers and Oporto (a brilliant colour scenic), while other supports are “No Overhead, a Chester outing of great interest, depicting tho wafs in which the crattsmen of China circumvent the landlord and the wages bill, and a. Gaumont Graphic. Everybody’s Orchestra supplies a charming musical programme. “MANSLAUGHTER,” COMING TO EVERYBODY’S. “Manslaughter,” heralded as Cecil de Mille’s greatest picture, will be screened at Everybody’s on next. It is stated that not since “The Miracle Man” has Thomas Meighan appeared in such a powerful role as that of thp man who so loved a woman ■that he sent her to prison that . he might save her soul from the perdition a mad society was sending her to. Tho picture vividly points to the fact that the pleasure oraze of the modern day is leading to one result—that which befell the Romans in the days of Ceasar—downfall. Supporting Thomas Meighan is Beatrice Joy and Lois Wilson, and the interpretation of the former of a woman of pleasure who was redeemed through the relentless methods of the man who loved hgr is described as brilliant. Some of the most georgeous ball-room scenes ever attempted and scenes of modern society at play go to the making of a picture that is claimed to be another milestone in the art of the silent drama. The box plan is open at the Bristol, and seats may be booked at Everybody’s Theatre after five o’clock. (Telephone 50). EMPRESS THEATRE. “East is West” was made famous on the legitimate stage long before it was adapted for the screen, and Fay Bainter’s impersonation of Ming Toy was known throughout the United States “before Constance Talmadpo saw in the story a good vehicle to exploit her own delicious comedy sense. The story ranges from Shanghai to San Francisco’s Chinatown, and deal® with Ming Toy’s escape from the slave market in tho Orient to the' crowded “joints” of ’Frisco’s own reeking Orient. It is Billy Benson who rescues Ming Toy from the “Love Boat,” and the incident is a thrilling

one. The two dart into a Shanghai barber’s shop, and when their pursuers come in they find only two cue-, femora heavily lathered, in the chairs. The guards recognise neither, but under all this lather and strange clothes are Ming Toy and her American rescuer. Ming is taken to thq homo of the Benson’s (played by Winter Hall and Lillian Lawrence), but she has been tracked there by her Chinese admirer (Charlio Yong). Once again she is clever enough to outwit and escape from the astute celestial. Though there is abounding comedj’ in the role, this dramatic encounter with Yong gives Miss Talmadge an opporunity to show that she has a store of emotional power when that is called for. One of the prettiest and most amusing comedy incidents comes of Ming taking tho wink to be the ordinary form of American greeting ■ she has seen the girl’s at Kelly’s dance hall wink at the men. When Jimmy Potter, a missionary in the quarter, is given tho gladdest of winks by this minx of a Ming he thinks it high time to warn her guardian, Lo Sang Kee, of the disgraceful conduct of his ward, but the arrival of Billy Benson, who understands the innocence of the girl he loves, leads to an explanation and incidentally brings 'about one of the most interesting situations in this altogether charming and original play. Miss Talmadge hits th? high spot of her screen career as Ming Toy, ana there is no doubt that this bill will draw largo houses during the week. The picture is admirably produced, and gains in its pull from the realism of the Chinese crowds and types, which people the picture. Billy Benson is played by Edward Burns, and Jimmy Potter by Nigel Barrie. Lo Sang is admirably played by E. A. Warren, and Warner Oland makes Yong sufficiently repulsive. A prologue is provided by Mr. A. Culford Bell, which suits the spirit of the picture. Mr. L. D. Austin’s orchestra adds to the pleasure of the entertainment. PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. “Silver Wings,” a William Fox picture, and the new programmes at the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres, were shown yesterday. In the big feature Mary Carr, “the sweetest little mother in the universe,” takes the part of Anna Webb. “Silver Wings” is one of those photo-dramas, unusual, to say the least, which moves one io w °P“® r ,- Portraying the part of Anna n ebb is the mother of a numerous brood, among which is Harry, her favourite. She yields to his every desire, to the extent that this boy loses his sense of proportion just as lie grows into manhood. He is drawn into the meshes of unscrupulous promoters and the uncertain paths of night life. These/ entanglements lead gradually into embezzlements, which he places on the shoulders of his brother John, who from childhood hnd been tho weakling of the family. John, in desperation, disappears rather than tell his mother of Harry’s duplicity. In tho meantime opposes the engagement of his sister to a working man, and she leaves. Harry then has a free path m tl*e family, and he quickly brings the mother to financial rum. The reuniting of the family again comes with tbb finding of Harry in a cheap Bowerv lodging-house where ho attempts suicide after two years of the direst poverty. Even under these circunr stances mother lovo is the dominant theme, and in her declining years the mother forgets tho misdeeds of the errant son, and once more tho family starts out to retrieve its fortune. Ihe film picture of “Wellington’s Prettiest Suburbs” evoked considerable applause, while the incidental music at bbth theatres (Mrs. A. Wright’s orchestra at tho Artcraft and Mr. Charles Parnell’s instrumentalists at the Paramount) did full justice to their special musical programme. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A photoplay that more than doos justice to the splendid novel from which it was filmed is “The Mysterious Rider,”' Hodkinaon photo-dramatisa-tion of the best seller by Zane Grey, which is now showing at the Queen s Theatre. A love story of compelling sweetness, powerful drama, mystery, suspense and intrigue; a sparkle of fun and humour throughout, and a' great, throbbingly human theme at the base of it all —those qualities sum up “The Mysterious Rider.” Claire Adams, who is fast making an enviable record for herself as an emotional aotrdbs, plays the girl Columbine, about whose mysterious parentage and love struggle the story builds itself. Robert McKim, one of the most polished, subtle and powerful actors of either stage or screen to-day, is M ade, th® man whoso life has been spent in a secret quest. The supporting items on the programme includes the latest Topical Budget, Selznick News, comedy and scenic, with the additional support of the Queen’s orchestra, under the direction, of Mr. A. H. Jerome. SHORTT’S THEATRE. The weekly change at Shortt’s Theatre will be made to-day, when “The Cowboy and the Lady,” with Mary Miles Minter and Tom Moore, a Paramount picture, will be presented. Toddy North, the “dudo” rancher of “.Bar 8.C.” ranch, has a penchant for immaculate clothing, and wears a different suit every day, and sometimes two or tln;ce suits a day, while he mounts his cowboys on motor-cycles. Meeting Jessica Weston, with whom ho is immediately impressed, North goes out and proclaims to his cattle: “I’m in lovo gentlemen —madly, desperately in lovo with the most wonderful "girl in the world.” Later, feeling that the fact that she is married is a bar to honest love, ho - tries to drive tho distracting girl from his thoughts. But the love-god is not to be cheated of his legitimate prey nnd by means of an accident, and later, a tragedy which frees tlio girl and brings them closer than over, the bonds of mutual danger and sympathy wins his point. The other feature is “Room and Board,” the story of a girl who inherited plenty of pride and a mortgaged estate —but no money. Then there is a Torchy oamedy, a Gazette, and a Travelogue. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. To-day’s bill at the Grand Theatre, Petone, will present the eighth reel “Equity” special production “What’s Wrong With tho Women?,”’ with an all-star cast. On the same bill is a “Mermaid” comedy, special “Rapid Fire,” and latest graphic. Ou Monday and Tuesday tho nine reel Fox special, “Perjury,” will be presented, featuring popular William Farnuni ; and on the same bill i« a Sg.nshina comedy special, “The Milk Fed Vamp.” Wednesday’s change will present Will Rogers in “Guile of Women,” a sparkling comedy, and Jimmy Aubrey in “Tenderfoot Luck.” a Vita comedy special. The big. special for Friday next is Nazimova in “A Doll’s House,” and Harold Lloyd in “Haunted Spooks.” ORGAN RECITAL. The programme for the organ recital to bp given to-morrow evening, at tho Town Hall by Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist), is as follows: —Suite Ancienno by Halloway, Debussy’s Andante (from string quaret) (this item is by request)., “Waldweben” from Act 11. “Seigfned,” by Wagner; prelude (Op. 16), No. 3, by Scriabine and Silas’s Fantasia (Op. 117).

THE STRAND THEATRE. Ibsen’s famous domestic drama, “A Doll’s. House,” the theatrical rage of nearly three decades ago, will be presented in motion picture form at the Strand Theatre to-day. The celebrated dramatist made use of the title to indicate the character of Nora, th? doll-daughter of a man who believed that every woman should be subservient in all ways to her father, and ths doll-like child-wife of a man who believes that a husband’s every wish and whim should be as law to his "'d? Thus Nora finds no difficulty in moulding herself according to her husband’s wish. But when the great crisis of her life forces her to .depend upon herself, to use her own initiative, she finds herself liable to the criminal law in meeting the situation. Then when the exposure comes her illusions as to her husband are shattered, she finds that the ideals she had built up around him are dull and false when she learns that he turns against her even though she acted only to save his life, the shock is such that she sees all the error in her unbringing, sees that she has lived the life of a doll-wife : that she has been rearing her own children as doll-children, satisfied merely m dressing them prettily ana keeping then physically happy. Then Nora realises that she has been cheated the right that Ibsen maintains is that or everr woman —the right to be educated that her own individuality may have an opportunity of expression. Nora leaves the house of her husband slamming the door. The supporting pictures will comprise Haunted Spooks,” with Harold Lloyd in the main role, “Simple Souls, and tho latest Pathe Gazette. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. To-night is the last occasion upon which the present attractive programme at His Majesty’s Theatre will be given, as Monday will see an entire change. It is worth while paying a visit to hear little Lorna, the wonder child, the Reece sisters, Russell and Frost. Conway and Beecham, and Sam Stern, each a finished artist. The revue. “The Fun Shoo,” by Hurl and Evans, in which the English comedy, company feature big comedy novelties, and super-vcudeville, is very attractive The orchestra’s contributions are excellent. PRINCESS THEATRE. Yesterday the great drama “Once to Evcrv Woman,” with Dorothy Phillips and Rodolph Valentino in the /principal parts, was shown at the Princess Theatre. It is a story of a selfish daughter who accepts the sacrifices of hfir folk because she has been blessed with a beautiful voice, but when the help she receives enables her to reach the pinnacle of fame, she forgets .her humble beginnings and her relations who made her success possible. But sho loses her great gift, and the poignant tale is told of her mastery over herself, and her return to the heart of the man who loves her. The settings and picturisation are perfect. The production is one of the newest Universal Jewels, written by Allen Holubar, and produced by Tod, Browing. As the management has decided to change their programme twice a week, the picture will only be shown again to-day, and Monday. A good supporting programme includes a film version of “Home, Sweet Home.”