ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 69, 15 December 1923, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPRESS THEATRE. The appetite of Wellington picture patrons tor historical films is adequately appeased in “The Bright Shawl/’ .now showing at tho Empress Theatre. Based on Joseph Hergeshehner’s well-known story this romantic adventure of the fifties, when Cuba sought independence from Spain, comes to the screen a fascinating picture—one which is saturated with colourful backgrounds, detail and adventurous incident. Its figures are made intimate and human, and as they are piloted through scene after scene they take the spectator with thorn. There is a fine glamour of romance which hovers ov.er tho picturesque, though pitiful, character of the dancer, who, through her affection for the courageous American, turns against her countrymen. The audience follows this young ailventurer’s exploits as he accompanies tho Cuban patriot to his home | with the deepest interest. There is surprise and suspense with every change lof scone. The painstaking attention to j detail marks every setting, and these I backgrounds help wonderfully in ein- ■ phasising the romantic glamour. The art director, has created genuine reproductions of Spanish . atmosphere—a'nd these are complete down to the smallest detail. It is a spirited story crammed with picturesque incident that features a theatre scene, intimate love episodes, furtivo courtship and a dramatic duelling contest. And when the little dancer, delightfully played with romantic fervour tinctured with spirited and hoydenish fancy by Dorothy Gish, dies, she catches the spectator in a tight embrace of sympathy. This very able pantomimist never created a more compelling role, nor one which fitted her personality any better. She fairly exudes colour and magnetism, suggesting always the highly sexed little dancer which the author painted. Richard Barthelmess lands dignity and warmth to his role of the American. IDs repression is most commendable. Miss Elsie Dick, the wellknown dancer, appeared in a series of fascinating Spanish dances. Lovers of Paris will >e charmed with a filrA trip to the French capital. The Empress orchestra is at its best, under the baton of Mr. Mat. Dixon. The items contributed were the Overture Zamba (Herold), Spanish Suite (Rimksy Korsakov), Le Fete de Seville (Tuvan), I'Arlesienne (Bizet), Saga and Fauit-il Dance (Olsen), overtures, Il Guarany (Gomez), I’Amour Redemptenr (Gabriel Marie), also Intermezzo from Goyesoas (Granados), Mauresque Caprice (Boccalarij. Danza de I’Amour (Sono), Capriccio Italienne (Tschaikowsky) ,and Midsummer Night’s Serenade (Albenez). KING’S THEATRE. Tho double bill submitted at the King’s Theatre last night has attractions well calculated to please the taste of picture-lovers. “Fog Bound,’’ featuring Dorothy Dalton is a drama of tne Everglades in which two young women rripire to the love of dne young man. Of these contestants for the hand Of wealthy young Roger Wainwright, Gail Brenoit is the clean, healthy typo of country girl, and her rival is ’blasii Van Dusen, leader of a bunch of jazz hounds, who mix their vices freely and openly. They, frequent a casino on the shores of a lake, and it is to this place that Gail's father has traced a lot of contraband liquor. He raids this hell one night, and is shot dead by a “crook" deputy whom Brenon has discovered accepting a wad of greenbacks as a bribe. The blame falls on Roger, and he having been in a gun-scrap, is not too sure of his own innocence and loops it for the swamp. Roger is caught by tho murderer, who is etill posing as a but Gail assists R°K or ™ escape. Then comes the revelation that her own father has been killed, and she has helped the murdered to es^P 6 - With revenge in her heart she, with the officers, sets out to hunt him down, but having found him, it is love which ■prevents her pressing the trigger. Finally “Flash” comes to the rescue by identifying the real murderer, and so clearing the way for. perfect happiness. Miss Dalton and David Powell are both excellent in this picture. The other attraction is “Crinoline and Romance a novel, impossible, and altogether spicy farce illuminated by the. sprightly versatility of clever little Viola Dana, and the fine acting of .Charles G'llnigwater ’as an old Kentuckian colonel. Admirable music by a fine orchestra under Mr. L. D. Austin, enhances the programme. < PARAMOUNT AND SHORTT’S. Tho secret ambition of the a y crn o o human being is laid bare in the rt markable picture which for the first time in Wellington at Paramount and Shortt s Theatres, yesterday under the title, Notoriety. William Fox has given the screen many strong photoplays, but he has never attempted anything like this fearless photodrama that covers the pathos of poverty and tho dazzle of wealth. The secret ambition, the picture tells us, that rules the highest and humblest, is success. "Pigeon" Deering, the girl heroine in the picture, sought success in popularity, a not uncommon ambition, but realising that her chance of attracting attention by her merits -were meagre, she imagined that she could achieve her desires by becoming a principal performer m a society scandal. But the glare of the limelight began to burn. The Press end the public began to talk about her in an unfavourable manner, and it was not the splendid thing, she believed to have one’s photograph in the illustrated papers. But\ still the lesson that it is much better to be a happy person in obscurity than a miserable soul in the limelight, was taught to a good student. In the second feature, “The frirl I Loved," in which Charles Ray has the leading role, suspense and thrilling incidents are the dominant notes and on the acting side, Mr. Ray far excels his best previous effort, cither in comedy or drama. The picture, which is founded on the delightfully human poem, by James Whitcomb Riley, contains a surprise element that is a potent part of its success. . "The Rainstorm," the first of a series of Imperial comedies, has a most refreshingly humorous turn. Special music completes a very fine programme at both theatres. Booking is advised. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The special attraction at the Queen’s Theatre. "McGuire of the Mounted," is, a story of the North-West' of Canada. ’Phut romantic and daring actor, William Desmond, who had earned a reputation as the hero in this class, of picture, is cast as Sergeant McGuire, of the Royal Mounted Police, noted aa the most dangerous man hunter. By chance of fate, however, he no longer hunts, but is hunted on a charge of murder, bv the very pals he once served with. '1 he plot is stirring in its dramatic intensity, and Desmond rises to great heights of dramatic acting. The scenery is excellent. The feature is produced by Carl Laemmle, and the supporting roles are all capably acted. Other at j tractions comprise a Century comedy “High Kickers,” Burton Holmes Travelogue, and Gazettes? showing the latest and most important events of the world. The Queen’s grand orchestra supplies a score of popular music. The box plan is on view at the Bristol. CONCERTS AT KAI WARR A. An enjoyable concert Was given at Kaiwarra Methodist Church on Thursday evening by the combined choirs of the Thorndon. Northland, Kaiwarra, and Karori Methodist Churches, assisted by friends - . Tho choir, under the conductorsliip of Mr. R. E. Flaws, of Kaiwarra, gave the following items, all of which were much enjo'-ed:—"And the Glory,” "How Lovely the Messengers/’ "O, Come All Ye Faithful" "The Long Day Closes,” and "The Heavens are Telling.’ Other items were given by Mrs. A. Wainwright, song; Misses D. and E. Worboys. duets; Miss Z. Freeman, recitation; Messrs. R. Martindale, T. Wooioott, and R. E. Flaws, songs; and Mrs. Wainwright and Mr. Martindale, duets. AMBASSADOR CABARET. A new programme is advertised for today at the Ambassador Cabaret. At the afternoon session Miss Mavis Boon will present “Tho Russian Czardas” and "Eccentric Cake Walk,” and tbe evening sessions will be crammed full of novelty. Tho Ambassador Band will he heard in some new. numbers.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The most romantic period of Australian history, when the vast spaces of the back country were peopled by all kinds of humanity, aud when, the bush-rangers plied their trade, is shown with a wealth of local colour in "When, the Kellys Were Out," screened at Everybody’s Theatre last night. The film is one of the best Australian productions seen on the shadow sheet, and the dry distances, the courage of the early settlers. their privations and the need for the staunchest of hearts to combat the dangers and social solitudes of the great Australian hinterland in the days before the telephone and the motor-car, are placed before the spectators in convincing fashion. Tire scenes where tho Kellys actually committed some of their outrages on society are screened, _ and their family life and the fine animals they rode, and the whole moving story of lawlessness to tho final stand of the gang at Glenrowan, are brought vividly before the public.. With the fall of Neil Kelly in a splendid fight, the whirl and dash of which is ft film epic, the remainder of the gang are dispersed and receive their due. The cast comprises Godfrey Cass, as Neil Kelly, Charles Villiers, W. Ellison, Allen Douglas. Kate Rooney, Harry Southwell, Sid Everitt, and Mervyn Barrington. The final scene at the hiit where Ntyi is , killed while attempting to escape in his famous armour is stirring in the extreme. The cattle dufers are seen at work in the flying dust, then their first brush with the police, resulting in the wounding of Constable Fitzpatrick, followed by the Wombat murders. The treachery of Aaron Sheritt is described, and. the character of Kate, and her wonderful uight ride suffer nothing in the telling. Ihe sticking-np of the Jenldene I* lB b'ack trackers at work, and the bravery of Sergeant Steele, all form an enthralling story, with pathos in the lives of the unfortunates linked, with, those of the bushrangers. There is a big st-P--TXTrtinff ■nrogramnie, a’nd th® music supplied by Everybody’s orchestra is excellent. PRINCESS THEATRE. “Tho Man Unconquerable” at the Princess Theatre is a story of the illimitable depths of human passion when untrammelled by convention. It is fittingly laid in the torrid zones of the tropics, and Jack Holt, as the man who survives the lawless surroundings of the pearl fisher, and makes the circumstance of the hour serve his will, has a thrilling part in a well-connected story, in Bin tang, where colour and verdure hide an undercurrent of violence and sudden , death, the elemental passions not among barbaric natives of the South Seas, and it is here that the perfumed air carries sounds of battle between the warring native factions, while, the greed of the white man moulds their feuds to his own ends. The story is one of the most powerful action tales ever screened, and the scenery is beautiful. In “Ducks and Drakes” Bebe Daniells has the port of a good girl with a bad exterior. She has the dangerous habit of following up nice voices on the telephone, until she finds that some of them can bite. A three-part Harold Lloyd comedy, “I Do,” is another of tho attractions on an excellent programme. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The current bill at His Majesty’s Theatre is an excellent one. Linn Smith’s band is a jolly collection, and they purvey the best of jazz in the height of enthusiastic frenzy. The Sinclqi.r brothers, as slow-motion recovery balancers, are graceful and unique. Clever female impersonation is given by Ray Kemble, and Aston and Marshall specialise in martial solos end duets in oldtime uniforms. The George Wallace Revue Company provides a revue revolving round the adventures of a city girl and a millionaire in the country. Mr. Wallace supplies tho cream of tho humour as the impersonator of a. confidence man. The orchestra; under Mr. Frank Crowther, supplies the music. EMPIRE EXHIBITION FILM. No really systematic effort. has been made to exploit New Zealand’s manifold scenic attractions as a natural asset until the present. The Empire Exhibition which is to "be held in London next year will afford an unrivalled opportunity for bringing under the observance of millions of visitors -who are expected at Wembley Park the varied attractions which tne country has to offer to tourists and sportsmen. Air. S. Taylor, Government kinematographer, has, during the .last two years produced the finest collection of Now Zealand films ever exhibited. This, coupled with the explanatory lecture by Mr. J. Winsloe, who accompanies the film on its tour, including Great Britain, U.S.A., and Denmark, makes an enjoyable evening’s entertainment of a very high standard. The whole series is well compiled and takes those who see it quickly from one end of tho Dominion to the other, from high up among the great glaciers showing high climbs with ropes, and icecaves, ski-ing, the wonderful West Coast and Buller Gorge, and the Franz Josef glacier, Lakes Kanieri and lanthe, together with all the famous North Island beauty spots. This series of pictorial gems will bo shown in Wellington for three nights, commencing on Monday next. The box plans are now on rfew at the Bristol.

"THE MESSIAH.” For their performance of “The Messiah” in the Town Hall to-night tho Choral Union will be assisted by tha Now Plymouth, Stratford, and Hawera Societies, who have sent over one hun. dred picked voices to Wellington to take part in Handel’s masterpiece. ' A specially strong oast of soloists includes Miss Ethel Osborne, Miss Mina Caldow, Mr. Sydney Butler, and Mr. Leu Barnes. Speaking of Mr. Barnes’s performance when he sang the bass solo for the Dunedin Society this week, the “Dunedin Star” reports him to have a true oro torio style, a powerful voice, and note division clear. He raised high expectations. which were borne out in his rendering of “W’hen Darkness" and “Why Do the Nations." The performance will commence punctually at 8 o’clock, and conclude about 10.20. The committee urges ticket-holders to be seated early, as the doors will not be opened duing the rendering of any of the numbers. A second concert will be given in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon. MISS GERTRUDE ELLIOTT. At the Grand Opera House on Wwines, day evening, December 26, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., present for the first time here the famous English actress. Miso Gertrude Elliott ami her complete English company in the dramatic success, “Woman to Woman " Miss Elliott and her company have ecored big successes in this play in the principal cities of Great Britain, America, South Africa, and Australia. The Dominion tour commenced in Auckland, and the "Herald” critic writes: "An unusually enthusiastic welcome was accorded Miss G«rtrune Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson), and a large audience witnessed a magnificent performance. Miss Elliott is ono of the most natural actresses we have seen in this part of the world. Her efforts are gained by sheer talent, whioh. amounts to genius. Hera was a memorable performance.” The “Stay’* said: "Last night was a veritable triumph for Miss Gertrude Elliott. Beauty, personality. wonderful acting in the lead, waj enhanced by exceptional talent in the supporting cast. It was the gifted subtlety of Miss. Elliott’s portrayal that mainly impressed the audience with the sure knowledge that here was an actress the like of whom we have not seen before. It was a revelation of art. "Woman <to Woman.” while & frank treatment of the human triangle wittt studied emotional effects, is an idealisation of female character which demand* both pei-eonality and great art in the leading role. Mother love and mother sacrifice form the keynote of the drama. The company supporting Miss Elliott includes William Mollison. Lilias Waldograve Herbert Milliard. Mayne Lynton, Athol Forde, Milton Brooks. Gertrude Boswell Anne McEwan, J. B. Rowe, and T M. Oliff. On New Years night “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife” will be staged, followed by "Enter Madame and "Smilin’ Through. Ihe overland tour is announced in our advertising columns. The box plans for "Woman to Woman’’ cnen on Friday next at tne Brief bl.

HUTT VALLEY CHORAL SOCIETY* The Hutt Valley Choral .Society will give its second concert on Wednesday next at the Lower Hutt. Under the conduct oTship of Mr. Robert Park or, this young society is showing much promise. The membership is already over eighty. On Wednesday the main effort will be Coleridge-Taylor’s cantata “Hiawatha’s "Wedding Feast.” Mr. C. A. Williams will be the tenor soloist. The string orchestra will give some items in. addition to its work in the cantata. Part songs, a violin solo by Miss Anderson, and a flute solo by Mr. W. J. Tasker complete a programme that is expected to receive a good reception. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard Page (city organist) will give his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and has arranged the following as his pro gramme Concerto in D Minor (No. 10), by Handel; Moussoa-gs&y’s A Tear; Rebikoff’s Danse des Odalisques Op. 3 (No. 3); Humoresks, Op. 101 (No. 7), by Dvorak (by request); Fountain Musio and Duet from (Act 11, Scene 1) “Pelleaa and Melisande,” by Debussy; Prelude (Act 1). “Tristan and: Isolde," by Wagnei.