ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 90, 11 January 1924, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. To-night the new programme at the King’s Theatre is headed by an eightreel production of Robert IV. Chambers's “The Common Law,” which, is said to contain romance, pep, beautiful women and gowns, and lavish sets. AU these ingredients are said to be packed literally into the 1924 version of this widely-read Robert IV. Chambers novel. As Valerie West, the artist’s model, Miss Corinne Griffith is said to give one of the most delightful characterisations ever seen on, the screen. The all-star cast includes Cbnway Tearle, Elliott Dexter, Hobart Bosworth, Miss Dupont, Phyllis Haver, Bryant Washburn, and others of equal note. The interior sets are described as truly magnificent. The gowns worn by Miss Griffith and other feminine members of the cast are said to have cost the Selznick people a small fortune. The story of “The Common Law” has its risque moments, but it is stated that they are all handled in such a way that there is no offence in any of th’e situations. There will be a strong supporting programme and delightful music by the King’s select orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol; after 5.30 seats may also be reserved at the theatre, telephone 22 212. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. What is the biggest lang’ll in Charles Chaplin’s latest First National picture, “The Pilgrim,” the comedy of a thousand laughs, at Everybody’s Theatre, commences to-day. Thousands insist a plum pudding wins it. Chaplin, as an escaped convict, wearing a minister’s clothes, is mistaken by the small town congregation as their newly-arrived parson. At the home of one of the members a special dinner is prepared for him. Visitors arrive, including a couple with a mischievous boy! The festivities in honour of the new “parson” are somewhat spoiled because the precocious youngster uses his father’s derby as a covering for the plum pudding. The unsuspecting Charles pours the sauce over it Tho pudding is a sight to make one’s mouth water, but Old Man Trouble jumps in with both feet when dad discovers the parson and the guests are eating his hat! On the same bill is the big 7-reel master-picture “Beyond the Rainbow,” Wm. Christie Cabanne’s famous screen play, featuring an all-star cast. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Con Moreni’s talented company of revue artists continue to attract large audiences to His Majesty's Theatre. Their latest musical nonsensity, “The Electrical Belt,” centres around a sanatorium, where rejuvenation is offered by means of a charmed belt.' Highly amusing situations are created at every turn, and the study paves the way for the introduction of a selection of bright musical numbers. The vaudeville side of the programme is in the capable hands of Bertram and Raymond, in song, patter, and dance; Nat Hanley, the brilliant pianist and imitator; Keely and Aldous, harmonic singers; Les Martin, novelty musical act; and Fred. Bluett, the popular comic singer. EMPRESS THEATRE. “■potash and Perlmutter,’* a First National picture produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and which commences at the Empress Theatre to-day, contains a number of exceptionally elaborate and handsome settings. Ordinarily a screen comedy does not possess as as a drama, but in this instance Producer Goldwyn has furnished a luxurious ’background because t,he story was big and required it. One 6f the settings is the showroom where the cloak and suit firm of Potash and Perlmutter exhibited its latest styles to the rade. While the buyers leaned back in mammoth chairs and divans, supplied with cigars, cigarettes, and refreshments by uniformed lackeys, a score of handsome models paraded up and down an immense room draped with velvet and silk and illuminated by handsome chandeliers and shaded sidelights. Another setting of an unusually elaborate nature is the cabaret. In the centre of. it is a huge, fountain, the water from the bowl dripping into the.basin beneath. Tho figures of four beautiful girls are stationed beneath the bowl, impersonating statues holding up their burden. As the spotlight is turned on them they “come to life” and go through the intricacies of a rhythmic dance. Clarence Badger directed “Potash and Perlmutter,” Barney Bernard and Alexander Carr having the roles of the partners, assisted by Vera Gordon. It is from tho famous play by Montague Glass and Charles Klein. A special attraction has been secured this week for the musical interlude; Phyllis and Sammy Cope, Jazz Specialists, will present all the latest novelties. The Empress symphony orchestra, under the conductorship of Ifr. If. Dixon, will present a programme of entrancing music. • The box plan is at the Bristol till 5 p.m., then at the Theatre, telephone 3442.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The Princess Theatre programme is one of considerable merit this change. The William de Mille production “The World’s Applause* featuring Beta Daniels and Lewis Stone, endeavours to answer a great question. The photography- and settings are second only to the acting. It is a story full of incident and shows how far folly will go for cheap notoriety. Thomas Meighan is seen in the second feature, Back Home and Broke.” at ’his very best. It is full of kindly good humour and a lesson in real kindness. There are interesting supports. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Heading ths new programme at the Queen’s Theatre to-day, after its very successful season at the Kings Theatre, is the ten-reel production of Sir Anthony Hope’s famous novel, 'Rupert of ITcntzau,” which is a spectacular sequel to the same author’s “Prisoner of Zenda,” and introduces the same set of characters as well as a similar plot development of court intrigue, adventure conflict, and romance. The photoplay follows tho novel faithfully. The cast includes Elaine Hammerstem as Queen Flavia, Lew' Cody as Count Rupert of Hentzau, Bert Lyttell as Rudolph Rassendvl. and King Rudolph of Ruritania, Claire /Windsor as .Countess Helga Bryant Washburn as Lieutenant Friz. Hobart Bosworth as Colonel Sant, Marjorie Daw as Rosa Holf, .Mitchell, Lewis as Bauer (the spy), Irvine Cummings as Lieutenant Berenstein, Elmo Lincoln as Simon, Adolph Mesyou as ffcunt Riehenheim, Gertrude Astor as tho Baroness Shatz. and Josephine Crowell as Mother Holf. Excellent supports will be shown. A specially arranged musical programme for the big nroduction will lie rendered by the popular Queen’s grand orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol.

LAWRENCE GROSSMITH SEASON. Commencing at the Opera House on Saturday week, the J. C. Williamson directors announce a return season of the famous English actor Lawrence Grossmith. Mr. Grossmith will be seen for the first time in Wellington in a new comedy in four acts and seven scenes, “Quarantine,” a cheerful play that has proved singularly successful in Enghtnd and more recently in Australia. Tf is said that ns Tony Blunt, Mr. Grossmith is seen at his very best. He will be supported by a first-class .T. C. Williamson company which includes Misses Diana Wilson, Dorothy Sencombe, Mabel Gower. Georgia Harvey, Messrs. Leslie Victor. Cyril Gardiner. Edmund Duggan. Tn "Quarantine,” life aboard shin will be shown in peculiar circumstances. A small community, such as that found at sen on a liner is not infrequently disturbed by unexpected happenings, and on the Angostura there are all the e'emonts of excitement and comedy. It is. however, when the principal persons net on an island in “Quarantine” that the chief events of the comedy occur. As two women are in love with one man. who has eloped with a flapper, instead of the married w<>’”nn he had chosen for this precar'ous adventure, the possibilities for Air. Lawrence Grossmith are abundant. Also <lnr : ng the season will be plnved “John Anploiohn's Adventure” and “The Silver Fox.” The box plans will be opened on Thursday next. .EKET.A TTITNA PICTURES. The new programme at the Eketahuna Town Hall this week is featured by “Divorce Coupons,” starring Cortnuo Griffith in a photo-play of unusual emotional intensity.