ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 97, 19 January 1924, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

i 4 “QUARANTINE,” TO-NIGHT. The J. C. Williamson directors announce the return of that exceptionally fine comedian, Mr. Lawrence Grossmith in a. now four-act play, “Quarantine.” to-night at 8 o'clock, at the Grand Opera House. Of this exhilarating comedy, the critic of the Christchurch “Press” writes: —“As Tony Blunt, Mr. I LmvTonce Grossmith occupied the prinI cipal role, and his interpretation of his part left nothing to bo desired. In completeness of acting and general stage techniaue he is indeed a pastniaster. and I ho conveys a tone which it would bn quite impossible for lesser celebrities to emulate. Miss Diana Wilson is already 1 very popular. She has an extremely difficulty part, .and this she plays with a completeness -which proves her worth, and adds yet a further laurel to her already considerable collection of honours. Miss Dorothy Seacombd as Dinah Bartlett —a pretty girl in a pretty-girl’s role—gives a charming study, and besides the winsomeness of her personality, she cannot fail to make an impression on her audience for her ability as I aln actress. Georgia Harvey, as an inI terfering married lady of the self-styled “broad-minded” typo, is convincing and rnr.listic, as is Mabel Gower as Pinsent, a somewhat prudish' lady’s maid of the 1 approved stage style of . such a cast. A more convincing character than Miss •Larpent (played by Miss Adelaide Gunni I would be hard to imagine. Leslie Vic- . tor and Edmund Duggan each have parts, as fellow-passengers on the ship, ■ and they do their work well, a compliment which applies equally to Stephen Moore (a ship’s steward), Paul Plunkett (the doctor), Gerald Frankton (a waiter), Cyril Gardiner (an American newspaper man), and Winningto'n Barnes and Sylvia Clifton (as Mr.- and Mrs. Mackintosh Josephs, respectively). “Quarantine” will bo played for the first four nights, and will lie followed by "Ambrose AppleJohn’s Adventure” and "The Silver Fox." EMPRESS THEATRE. f "Where the North ..Begins/’ screened for the first time yesterday at the Empress Theatre, is the story of a dog dwelling with a .pack . of- wolvcw, suddenly recalling .his real descent ns he attacks'Gabriel Dupre (Walter McGrail), a trapper, left for dead by a gang of outlaws. Gabriel is tho victim of a plot at the lands of Shad Galloway (Pat Hartigank the factor of the Hudson Bay post, to get him out of the way so tbnt Felice McTavish (Clairo Adams) will' be defenceless. The wolf-dog be* oomes friendly, and is instrumental in , - saving the girl at a ' critical point and demonstrating to Galloway that even ia strong-arm man must yield to superior brute strength. The locality of the picture is amidst deep snows and waving- pines, where men to live have to cull up all’ tlie.ir reserve of strength and courage, and where but few women dare go. Amidst these far-aw;ay surroundings two men strive for- possession ' of a girl, while the dog, sensing the right with a sure and unerring instinct, sides with the trapper against the factor. The story is remarkable as well for its splendid photography, beautiful scenery, and real acting, and is a picture that should not on any account bo missed. Sb great was the success of Sammy and Phyllis Cope that they have been retained for another week, and. ■ the entirely new programme of novelty items they produced last night is in every way up to the standard set in the previous -week. The orchestral yrt-ogramme, which the conductor (Mr. M. Dixon) has selected) is in itself a fine night’s entertainment. KING’S THEATRE. ' The pathetic little romance of an organ-grinder who found her Prince Charming in a rich idler who visited the great Viennese amusement park in which she was a mere cipher, is the basis of one of the best films that have been' screened in Wellington for months. She fell to his' seductive allurements, but, *as she became more attractive to him in contact with ia .brighter intellect, he, who had intended only the usual passing diversion, with no thought of the consequences to'.her. fell-deeply in love with her beautiful and sincere nature. This is merely the skeleton on which has been built a strongly dramatic play in' "Merry-Go-Round,” screened at the King’s Theatre last evening for the first time. Count Hohenegg, who lives in delirously sumptuous surround- , ings, dresses the part of a necktie salesman, and visits the park for some incognito fun. Agnes, after a long resistance, yields ' to the count’s blandishments, largely by' the aid of music, of which she is passionately fond, and of which he is a master. So lightly does he take their relationship that, not long afterwards he marries a sporty countess, under a certain amount of pressure from tho court. But sweet Agnes grows upon him, till she fills his world, and makes a man out of one whom riches and idleness had weakened. The majority of the picture is filmed in the Prater Park, Vienna, and the characters arc mostly workers in it. The vicissitudes are natural, their emotions are real. Tho cruel owner beats the ape and teases its friend, the hunchback, who leaves its cage open,- and at midnight it steals into the. room of the petty torturer and murders' him in an artistically suggestive scene. The costumes, types of humanity, and the great, ever-changing backgrounds of Viennese life, before and after.tho war, are true to fact, but do. not interfere with the arresting simplicity, and force of the leading charm actensations. Of these Mary Philbin’s I portrayal of Agnes is outstanding in winsome charm and grace, and her eyes express every emotion wonderfully. Her personality is'strikingly attractive. Norman Kerry, as tho count, has a part that suits him to perfection, and the dazzling magnificence of his apartments, and of the "high life” of Vienna, excel most productions in this respect. There are stories within stories in the huge atnusoment park, but they alt form links in providing an absorbing interest to the main drama. The supporting char acterisations are well done, and this .10,000 feet production leaves few loopholes for criticism.. The orchestra, untier Air. L. D.. Austin, plays-selections in keeping with this remarkable film. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.. ■ .Rarely has the. picturised version of a novel depicted so faithfully the characters of tho story and revealed their, touts so convincingly as is the case in Wee MacGregor’s .Sweetheart,” a delightful adaptation of J. J. Bell’s work, which was screened te a crowded house at Everybody's Theatre last evening. The opening part of the'story shows the early upbringing of. Christina and l MacGregor—the boy carefully nutuxed by devoted parents;. the girl hopelessly .neglected, but, withal,- a bundle of energy and devilment. Comes tho time when this mischievous imp is sent to. tho care of a well-meaning aunt, and, then, the fun begins. Nothing can hold the care-free youngster. She takes complete control r 'of her distracted relative’s store. Through a maze of adventures manhood and womanhood finally arrive for both characters, and a glimpse of tragedj enters tho picture when scheming relatives attempt to interfere with th course of a love too great 'to know or understand severance of the bonds which - hold . them. Broken-hearted, Chris, a pathetic little figure, with eyes ti’pe, but. sad, decides to pass out of her lover’s life, rather than impair his standing with h.is wealthy relatives, but "Wee Mac” has ideas of his own in that connection, and happiness is rapidly restored. The leading role is taken by Miss Betty Balfour, who onco more proves horself to bo an actress with a highly developed sense of humour. Tho big picture is supported by the musical selections of Harry Avery and his talented jazz band.. PRINCESS THEATRE. All tho gri.ght features of vaudeville entertainment, combined with a selection of films of unusual merit, constitute the excellent programme which commenced at the Princess Theatre yesterday. The vaudeville turns wero headed by the great Kavello, whose performance included some remarkable hypnotic acts. Alental suggestion and thought divination were al«> successfully demon- ; strated; Sound support was given the j turn by Norma, a psychic medium. ■ Miss Ivy Darrell, a charming instru- i J mentalist, appeared in a distinctly clever | musical act, and catchy songs were con- j

tributed by Miss June Adair, a dainty soubrette. The story of a girl s «n<lul.s,l- - of a "past” is the basis of Uio glowing Metro production, Pohy \'i<n a Past.” Although Pretty Polly, admirably portrayed by Ina Claire, was • daughter of a minister, she did not l.uR ambition to see th® world, of whose existence her little native village oi: Gilead was barely aware. Rho^ deaU oi her father gives her the ioi>S-«-''->it od opportunity, and sho has been York but a few weeks when 1 c p - tion as maid to a iashignable ianiuy brings her real adventure. ARTCRAFT THEATRE, those 'red-blooded as a Frozen North, 'dwre onb ™ S urvive-a man’s tale of a man s countiW. and how one girl whirlpool. Many of the scenes taken in the great North-V- , u i. snow scenes ano said to lie « The story is original, and swcep .... to a most astounding . and thnllmg climax. - A very travelogue, and an educatroudl P an excellent bill, c n ora l’f" 1 s e i t irt nature, tral selections of a H n ging tlie Seats may bo reserved by r W g theatre. A special WIU this afternoon t - at 2.15 p.nu.» • paramount theatre At the change of programme intro duced at the Paramount Theatre Ja evening the Musgrove Celebrity A aune villo artists presented iheir .thud ac , which achieved much success, at tne Tivoli Theatre in .Sydney- Aubrey Knight, a vivacious English COI P“ 1 ' dienne, proved herself extremely ce_ in character-studies and burlesque tuins, and the audience recalled' her again ana again. The star picture .in the new programme is a stirring Fox melodrama, which treats of primitive passions in tho Wild West. ' “Hell’s Hole, as the film is styled, is a den of iniquity in a mushroom town, where men and women take their pleasures without regard to the conventions of society obtaining in cities further east. A Mexican resents the attentions a white nian pays to. a girl. A knife gleams through the jir, guns are drawn, and near murder is the outcome. A train robbery is another thrilling scene. Charles Jones, Maurice Flynne, and Ruth Clifford take tho leading parts. The supporting pictures include a comedy and a. gazette. The Paramount orchestra supplied inch dental music.. SHORTT'S THEATRE. “Kisses,” Alice Lake’s latest. Metro picture, which ivas introduced in the chaluge of pro«>.-ammei. . presented at Shortt’s Theatre yesterday, cleverly portrays the resourcefulness of the presentday American girl. It is | the story of the struggle of pretty Betty ■ Estabrook, a- college girl, to reimburse' her dead father’s creditors by going in for the manufacture of candy. In spite of the attempt of an unscrupulous competitor to ruin liar, she struggles bravely on, her courage nndimnied, her. spirit unbroken. Throughout tho picture the complications involved in her business struggle and the efforts of two men to win her love provide a series of tense situations. Alice Lake is seen at her best, and this wholesome |ihot»pilayi is bubbling over with joyous humanity. Miss Lake is supported by Harry Mvers, Edward Connelly, Edward Jobson, Dana Todd, Mignon Anderson, and John Mackinnon. # Ql.her entertaining films include a bright comedy, an interesting "Gazette,” and a humorous cartoon. In the afternoons on y a, fresh episode of the thrilling serial. Hurricane Hutch,” is shown. Ihe mcidei tai music adds to tho enjoyment of the entertainment. QUEEN’S THEATRE. After a most successful run at the King’s Theatre. "The Common Law' has been transferred to the Queenw. Adaptec from the world-famous novel of Robert Chambers, and . played by suo, l. as Conwav Tearle, Corinne Griffith, Elliott Dexter, and B W a nt JVashburn it constitutes a fiUCOCS3fuI .. a n em l’m T swor a delicate yet vitally auestion. It is the sto TY of i ‘ West; (Corinne Griffith), driven by the fear of starvation to jiose as a model to an artist (Conway Toarle), with whom she falls in love. He ; bv her beauty and innocence, falls &ve with her? She will not nnnriy him thrills The' sunrorting P™S"? e o ico £”d and the orchestra provides a choice arrangement of incidental music. WIRTHS’ CIRCUS An nrf that it is claimed will set \\ eilington laughing when Wirth Uros. big combined show opens hero on Monday, January 21. is that presented byrthe boxing ponies, The pones, narned Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier, box two exciting rounds. Largo gloves are fitted to their fore-feet, and, rearing up they are said to give a thrilling exhibition. Then "Carpentier is knocked out, and down he goes in . real stadium style, while his van 2 ulsll ®£ counts him . out by tanping the floor ot the rin" the regulation number ot times. Tho following pew artists have been engaged by Messrs. 1., and. b. Wirth on their present tour ot tne world:—Prince Guiseppi Bignoli,. smallest jockey and comedy artist in tne world; Bert Hughes and Company, who play basket-ball on bicycles; tho Ego- , chago troupe of bull-fighters; Bi" j Alfredo, Spanish clown, and trained , dogs from Cuba: Mimi Wharton and Louie Cannelle Duo. jugglers; Alfred i Clark, England’s great rider; Evans and ; Perez, equilibrists. These are a few ot | the new artists who will make their ' first appearance. Then there are the Flying Lloyds, Miss Eugenio Pearl, a j lady trick'rider; Mimi.'the strong girl, whose feats with a'partner much heavier than herself must be seen to be believed ; and the Mighty Muldoon. In addition, there are a number of newanimal acts, including a. performance of milihirv drill bv a sextette of Aiistra-iian-bred Arab horses, under the direction of Mr. A. Christie. The zoo includes. tlie largest herd of elephants jn Australia or New Zealand, also Jessie, the . baby elephant, and baby leopard and baby monkev, and will bl open from 4to 5 p.m. The circus Will'open on a site in Cable Street, near Taranaki Street Wharf. Matinees will bo' held each dav from Tuesday. Tho box plan is at the Bristol.