ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 172, 9 April 1923, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPRESS THEATRE. The stirring romantic drama, “One of the Blood,” drew capacity audiences at tlie Empress Theatre on Saturdayas tho hero who seeks adventures in the turbulent land of Mexico, only to later find himself involved in more thrilling excitement as heir-apparent to a tiny principality at the foot of the European Alps, that sterling actor, Douglas Fairbanks, has a role to play which gives him great scope for his undoubted powers. Some marvellous scenes are witnessed in the intrigue for power at the Lilliputian Court. The hero scales houses like a fly to escape from the palace guard. A rescue from a six-story fire, a desperate sword fight on the stairs, a thrilling leap over attacking swordsmen, a holdup on a bridge., and a mad gallop from pursuing soldiers are among the hairraising adventures the hero has to go through before he is only too willing to hand over his interest in the crown to another. A touch of romance and much beautiful scenery are features of this highly-entertaining film story. An interesting motor tour and a bright. Mermaid comedy are amongst the supports.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Manslaughter,” the powerful Cecil de Mills production, featuring at Everybody’s Theatre, enjoyed a most popular run on Saturday. The story preaches a powerful sermon against the insatiable craving for sensation so prevalent amongst society women of the present day. The heroine, Lydia ’niorne, is so bored by h bixurious life that she takes to specking in her powerful motor-car, and. just misses running into a locomotive.. The dissatisfied lady goes on to give parties which rival the orvies of ancient Rome. A gladiatorial combat and a boxing bout between two girls are amongst the novelties served up by the hostess. Lydia continues her speeding, which causes the death of a motorcycle policeman. She is prosecuted for manslaughter, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, which does her a power of good, as upon her release sho opens a coffee kitchen in the slums. In the end the heroine rescues from a life of dissipation the man ■ who was responsible for her conviction, and he rises to bo governor of the State, a position which he gladly resigns in order to marry the ex-convict. Some very fine acting is done by Leatriee Joy and Thomas Meighan in the leading roles. The big film is notable for gorgeous costuming and beautiful scenery. The supporting pictures are all of merit, and the incidental music especially pleasing. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Animal acts, to be a success in these times of keen competition for favour, must possess extraordinary merit, and, moreover,, must present at least some novel features, Andale’s Zoological Circus, which is to be the chief attraction at Fuller’s’ this evening, claims these distinctions, judging by reports received from the southern cities, where it has neen showing with marked success. Apdale’s Circus is a varied collection of wonderfully well trained animals, which includes bears, dogs, monkeys, and a South American ant-eater; but the outstanding personality is Mutt, the baboon comedian, who is the irrepressible tomboy of the outfit, and whose sudden onslaughts on tho decorum of the entertainment put the audience in shrieks of laughter. The management state that vaudeville patrons can look forward to Seeing one of the biggest attractions, ever brought to-New Zealand.: A. very fine vaudeville first part includes Sam Stern, the popular Jewish comedian (whose last nights aro. announced). Nell and Braddy Shaw ip a new and entertaining offering, the Reece Sisters, and Lane and Howard. Tlie new show to be staged by the New English Musical Revue is entitled “Sunbonnet Sue,” a bright comedietta. PRINCESS THEATRE.

“Moran of the Lady Letty,” tlie star production heading the current programme at the Princess Theatre,, is one of the most stirring sea stories which has come ajlong. for quite.. a iviiile. The tale is crowded with thrilling incidents, including the rescue of the'".heroine from a burning vesselDesperate encounters with pirates also provide much excitement. Those two great artists, Dorothy’ Dalton and Rudolph Valentino, are seen at their best in the leading roles. The film, in which one of America’s leading comedians parodies Rudolph Valentino iu his famous “Blood and Sand” role, is highly diverting. Another most humorous production is “The Village Smithy,” a Mack S.ennett scream, while a beautiful scenic subject and a Topical Gazette are also shotoi. The first of the two weekly changes of programme will be given to-morrow.

ORGAN RECITAL. Tlie organ recitals given by Mr. Bernard F. Page at the Town Hall are becoming increasingly well attended, and last night's audience was warmly appreciative of the excellent programme rendered. Restricting seiats) to the gallery has proved an improvement, and probabb- makes foi' ; a- better accoustic result than if half of the floor and gallery alono were occupied. Last night Mr. Page’s selection was: Faulke’s Sor.ata in D Minor nnodcrato, adagio, and finale allegro)., Debussy’s Preludes from “La Demoiselle Elue” and “L’enfnnt Prodigue,” John Ireland’s “Elegaic Romance,” Dvorak’s “Humorcske,” and Bach’s toccata and Fugue in C Major.

“THE AMBASSADOR.” “The Ambassador” is the name of the new home of jazz in Wellington. This new temple of Terpsichore has been established in the spacious rooms recently occupied by the Stafford Tea Rooms in Willis Street, which have been transformed by a wonderfully effective black, scarlet, and gold scheme by Messrs. Scoullar and Co. Wellington is to be introduced to a real cabaret orchestra, the instrumentation of which is to be similar to. the leading dance orchestras in America, and will have all the saxaphone, banjo, and trombone effects up to date. Most of these players are new to Wellington, but have played together in Sydney. Mr. Arthur Frost is known as a genius in orchestration, and. as an exponent of modern dance music is said to have no equal in Australia or New Zealand. “The Ambassador” is to open on Wednesday evening.