ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 150, 21 March 1925, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE TONIGHT. At the Grand Opera House to-night another company of vaudeville from J. C. Williamson, Sydney and Melbourne theatres, inaugurate a short season. The acts are originally selected in all parts of the world by special representatives of the J. C. Williamson firm, and Mr. Shepard, of New Zealand Entertainers, Ltd., who presents them in the Dominion, selects the most suitable acts for Dominion theatregoers, so that only the cream of the world’s vaudeville is seen in these companies. The fifth combination includes the famous jazz trio, "The Versatile Three’’—A. Haston, saxophonist and singer, C W. Mills, pianist and I entertainer, and A. Tuch, mandolinist, who are styled ths harmony kings, pre- | senting songs, jazz, syncopation and joy. A Melbourne critic wrote: "The Versatile Three” at the Tivoli was an electrical success from the start, and- has scored one of the most pronounced successes in the theatrical history of Australia. The four Ortons present the world’s latest comedy novelty, and introduce “The Duke of Duck,” a unique comedian, really the world’s cleverest goose. The Daros, astonishing equilibrists, come direct from a big tour of the Moss and Stall Empire Theatres. Their act is billed as ace-high sensation. The latest European juggler, Felovis, who is assisted by Jeanne Allen, is said to provide the last word in juggling. His act is described by the Press of England and Australia as "astonishing,” and he is claimed as "Cinquevalli’s successor." Violet Lester, dual voice vocalist, is a delightful artist in quaint songs. Ethel Newman, who comes with a big English reputation, stages mini*turo musical comedy. Hayden and Nevard are singers whose musical episode is entitled "Now and Then.” A clever dancing turn is provided by Jack Hooker and Dorothea Seaward, late principal dancers with J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera Company. The box plans for to-night are at the Bristol till noon, then at the Grand Opera House Confec-tionery,-.where day sale tickets are also obtainable.

’ HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. George Storey, the perky little comedian, and his capable revue company continue to make fun and frolic at His Majesty's Theatre in that bundle of nonsense, "The Men in Possession." In Miss Mabelle Morgan and Mr. Mark Ericson, the company possesses two singers of unusual merit, whilst the ballet, known as the Delectable Six, are all that The vaudeville programme is full of quality. Fullers’ Eleven Wonders, who are unquestionably the most brilliant juvenile acrobatic troupe seen for years, are firm favourites. They are to make their final appearances this afternoon and evening. Frank Perryn, a breezy comedian, who sings and recites well, is a general favourite. Others on the bill are the Mullaney Bros., Niblo and Doris, and Maxwell Carew. KING’S' THEATRE. Hundreds of people who were untible to see Rudolph Valentino in "Monsieur Boaucaire” at the De Luxe Theatre wi’l welcome an opportunity of seeing him nt the King’s Theatre this week, and h’-ndreds more, no doubt, will welcome the opportunity of seeing him a second time. Valentino, perhaps, relies less on purely facial t-xpresmon.. and more on persona! magnetism than any actor on the screen, and in "Monsieur Beau-cni-e” his mne T, etism is seen at its oqi- PoMh “'a- 1 -’ n"ton’s story makes excellent material for the, screen. Not on'y is there a sfroh" love interest, but the period of Tonis XV o-ives opportunity for plenty of thriving action and -■—antic setf’ng. The film is far from heinw a "one-star" production. Supnorting Rudolph Valentino are Behe Daniels. Porls Kenyon, Lois Wilson, and Lowe!) Sherman. "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?' "The Ten Commandments," Paramount's great picture, will, in response to many requests, be brought back te the King’s Theatre for a return season commencing Friday next. On the occasion of its last appearance in this city, , hundreds of people were unable to >-c--it on account of the fact that its tira» was limited'.. Whilst, it established a re- ; cord in .Wellington previously, its reception elsewhere has been none the less notable. The picture ran for a nine ' weeks’ season at one theatre in Auckland, and four weeks in Christchurch It has established something like a record for number of screenings. Tt lias been shown continuously for fifteen weeks, anil its screenings total over 260 An entirely new copy has been sent from America.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. The story of Low two young people who were hai,pily married lived the last life of their set. till the inevitable hapi pened, _ and how the crash over which all their friends were gloating was avertI ed because they lost ail tueir money, anu, lived happily '’ver afterwards, is well told in ’’Born Rich,” screened at the queen’s Theatre last night. _ It was i quite inexplicaole to all their friends that after tue first year of married life the couple in question should still be sweethearts, and still more strange that their happiness should be crowned with an a heir, so former flames of both tried to set matters on a more “modern ’ / basis. ‘mo lierutno, Cliauyeane Fai,iax, finds the garments ot her rival in her own room, and ithere are other I skilfuliy-anunged subtleties that tell he, her husband is not true to her. He is furiously wooed by a butterfly girl, who nearly gets him. So well do tho plots ot ( thoir-sniggering friends succeed that the one happy pair hate each, other, 'but the very climax of the plot against them, when the hero is ruined financially, proves their salvation. Never having luyl to take thought for the morrow, the husband has lost hie backbone, but when he has to fight for a living, he Itarns to be master in his own home, aod gets rid of all the idle, pleasureloving crew. The most fascinating part xn this absorbing picture is played by Doris Kenyon, who makes a very dangerous vampire, because she is so apparently innocent and appealing, though when she fails, there is a storm of fury in her acting. The roses and thorns that bestrew the paths of all ‘he characters art typical of the fast life of the modern great city and. luxurious homes gorgeous gowns, glittering jewels, dashing youths, motors, yachts, racehorses, and a feverish pursuit of pleasure mjngle in the • presentation of -lie story of two people who begin by appearing pitiful to their friends, but who are envied in the end. The husband and wife are placed by Claire Windsor, and Bert Lyttell, and other stars in tho cast are Cullen Landis, Frank .Morgan, J. Barney Sherry, and William Burton. The supports are excellent.

The Wellington Society of Musicians intend to give the general public an opportunity to hear a newly-formed orchestra. Mr. C. tV Kerry, the conductor, has arranged an attractive programme of music, including the Ist Symphony of Beethoven. As popular prices are being charged for tickets, .it is hoped good support will be afforded by music-lovers of Wellington, when further concerts will be given during the coming winter.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The results of the recent screen tests carried out at Wellington and Auckland | were shown at the Empress Theatre for the first time last evening, and created unusual interest. It is gratifying to see that New Zealanders can act remarkably well for the screen, and when popular scenes such as Island Bay and Kefburn arc used ns settings the result is doubly pleasing. Many local aspirants are shown in brief "shots" of humorous and dramatic scenes, and in many instances photograph remarkably well. The actions of the players ar? naturally somewhdt unorthodox, but that only adds to the amusement of the tests. The exhibitions of dying from poison cause outbursts of laughter, and offer conclusive evidence that Wellington people are not adepts at suicide. The love scenes are screamingly funny, and the self-con-scious airs of many of. the would-be ' actors are decidedly amusing The screen ! tests are not only extremely interesting, ' but outdo the best of comedies for genuine amusement. The second attraction is Mr. Beaumont Smith’s latest production, “Joe," based on Henry Lawson’s famous story, with Arthur Tauchert in tiie title role. In this typical story of Australian life the producer has captured the spirit of the book, and the picture is redolent of the charm of country life, that differs but little from that of New Zealand. “Joe” is just a typical colonial man who marries a happy colonial girl, and takes up farm life, in which sphere he achieves success after many years of hardship. Interwoven with their romance is another love story that does not run smoothly. Many incidents are laid in the Australian bush, while others give an excellent portrayal of city life, including the mag. nificent Sydney’ cabaret, “The Ambassadors." “Joe" represents a marked advance in the Australian picture industry, and should be seen by all who appreciate a diverting comedy-drama. There are also a number of excellent supports, and the Empress orchestra, under the baton of Mr. M. Dixon, renders a specially selected musical programme. STRAND THEATRE. The new programme at the Strand Theatre is headed by Fred Thomson, the famous athlete, in “The Mask of Lopez,” a picture unique among Western dramas. Thomson is supported by a competent cast, including Silver King, the famous horse, Thomson takes the

part of Jack O’Neill, a lively youn; Westerner, who visits his brother, war den of the Arizona State Penitentiary At the prison he finds Angel Face Harn a notorious cattle thief. Harry at oni time had saved Jack’s life, so the latte: decides, to hold out a helping hand whei the prisoner is released. On his returi to the cattle country, Jack finds thai two thieves have terrorised the country side, and with the help of the ex-con. vict and his marvellously trained horse he routs the conspirators after many i thrilling events. One of the most sta.rtl ing scenes in this picture is where O’Neill puts up a powerful fight with the villain, by diving over a seven-foot fence, pulling him off his horse, dragging him through the dirt, and throwing him into a watering trough The climax is intensely dramatic. The heroine is on a runaway horse, and is heading for a chasm that means certain death. O’Neil] puts his horse to the gallop, vaults ovei barbed-wire fences, and snatches the girl I from the other horse while both animals i are rearing in. the air. It is a picture : packed full of thrills and well worth seeing. The second feature is “The Chali lenge,” with Dolores Cassuelli and Rod la Roque in the star roles. This is the story of a rich man who hns designs 1 on the wife of his friend, and secretly gets the husband into his power with a view of winning his wife. The big surprise in the story is in the climax when the banker makes the greatest decision of a lifetime. There are a number of excellent supports. j ETHEL OSBORN AT TOWN HALL I TO-NIGHT. | Much interest is being taken <n the | farewell concerts by Viss Ethel Osborn, | the first of which will be given in the | Town Hail this evening at 8. Tt is stati ed that Miss Osborn returns a vastly impiovod singer, ami the wonderful range is still there, in fact,, has still further extended, but the voice is fuller, and with the great amount of experience that .she has had since,her. lnst*ri“it > much higher degree of artistry has been achieved. A strong supporting number of artists accompanied Miss Osborn from Australia, including Mr. W. Hunter, tenor; Mr. Tom Williams, a brilliant voting violinist; and Madame Marie .Borman, a most accomplished pianist, Truda will be heard in fl nte ob blignti. The plan is at the Bristol un til 12.3), after that at the Town Hall. ISLAND BAY THEATRE. The new Empire Theatre at Island Bay will be officially opened -by the Mayor. Mr. R. A. Wright, this evening at 7.30. Jupp’s Band will nlay o”t’ side the theatre from 7 o’clock. Zane Grey’s thrilling novel. “The Last of the Duanes.” forms the basis for the chief picture on the programme, Tom Mix playing the leading role. “The Last-of the Duanes,” showing the passing of the last frontier, fits Mix like a glove, for he is the typical frontier type. A series of thrilling incidents include a desperate battle against, bandits, a kidnapping, escape and pursuit, crowd one another with almost bewildering rapidity. Mix’s horsemanship on surefooted Tony must awaken enthusiasm. Marian Nixon, the feminine lead, 1j sweetness itself. There will be an excellent supporting programme. and there will bo, in addition, an exhibition of fancy dancing which is expected to delight all who witness it.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Assumin? the role of royaltv. Gloria Swanson gives one of the best performances of tier screen career in “Her Love Story," which is being filmed at the Tjvnli Theatre. The story surrounds the court of a small inid-Euro-pean State and shows how Princess Mario, the daughter of the reigning monarch, in snite of her affection for a captain of her father’s guards, has had arranged for her a marriage of state with the king of a neighbouring realm. The experience and adventures that subsequently await her follow in dramatic succession, and although the roac| she treads is stony and painful, it eventually leads her to happiness and reward. Another powerful picture is seen in “Tarnish,” whmh acquired a big rep-'.tation in New York. Marie Prevost, May McAvoy, and Ronald Colman are in tho cnsta and some excellent acting is to be seen. An excellent pictorial survey of the All Blacks' tour is screened, including the scenes upon the team’s recent arrival in Wellington.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A spectacular drama with an engrossing psychological theme entitled “The Dangerous Age" is being screened at the Artcraft Theatre Among the arresting features incorporated in the narrative are a thrilling race between an automobile and a train, culminating in a sensational smash-up; a horse race especially staged; a magnificent cafe scene in which hundreds of sumptuously gowneo women take part, and in which has been instilled all the high-pitched gaiety, glamour, and air of extravagance know?, to mark the famous old Cafe de Paris', after which the set was copied. There is also a wedding, which, for lavishness of setting, is ono of the most remarkable reproductions of a nuptial celebration ever attempted for the screen. Irene Reels and Lewis S. Stone head an allstar cast. A. second leading item on the programme is "Conquering the Woman," starring Florence Vidor and including in the cast David Butler, Peter Burke, Bert Sprotte, and Harry Tod. The latest gazette is also shown. DOROTHEA SPINNEY.

In the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Marell 27, Miss Dorothea Spinney will be heard in “The Medea" of Euripides, Miss Spinney is no stranger to Wellington, having made a tour of the Dominion some years ago. Miss Spinney has no leaning toward recitation or dramatic reading. She acts the play, and her interpretation comes from a real love and subjective inspiration. She is able to disseminate tin spirit and atmosphere of the old Greeks—their fine classic dignity and their splendid culture. The box plan will open at the Bristol on March. 31.

‘ PABAITOUNT THEATRE. “Curlytop” is the story of a little girl whose life was cast in the questionable haunts ot spree-seeking sailors in Limehouse, and the delineation of the mixture of nationalities, the way in which yellow men. cater for the weakrcsses of whites, are well portrayed in the screening at the Paramount iheatre. Curlytop’s great beauty is her hair, and she is sought 'by men good and bad, but up to the time the story opens, her youth has keiit her inviolate, Budding womanhood, now ever, bring* the 1 nevliable advances of men she finds it dlmciut to avoid, and there is always Bessie, a woman who recognises that in Curly - top there is a potential asset to tile firm of scoundrels sho serves. Curlytop has a strenuous time trying to evade the tricks of the East, hypnotism being brought to bear by the proprietor of an opium den, but big Bill "Brannigan, a Bailor of the clean-minded type, falls in love with her and temporarily succeeds in averting danger. In the absence of Bill, however, Bessie leads her to a gambling party in a vile den, and makes her lose her money', getting her into Str power, but Curlytop incurs hei, hate by defeating her plans and Bessie shears off her golden glory, this saves Curlytop, as witjiout her hair she is almost ugly. In the end the little gill is caught in the wreck of a barge, but 13 saved bv Bill. The wonderful mysteries of the ever-changing tcg-bound. waters of the Thames, the shifting, mongrel crowd that lives on the openhearted sailors and the degenerate whites iif London, and the life of Linjehouse, where congregate all manner of men ana women, give opportunities for some marvellous photography, and the tale is stirring, some great fights ’being staged. Shirley Mason makes a prettily Curlytop. Thera is being run in con; junction with this picture a Curlytop competition, ■ with cash prizes of A 25The supporting programme 13 and the music supplied by Ibe lai a: mount orchestra is delightful.

DE LUXE THEATRE. The Gaiety Girl" is the title of the Universal-Jewel picture screened befoie a large audience at the De Luxe itiesi'tre yesterday. Ths picture is a hyri Bagrgot production with charming Maiy Philbin as the star. The picture is based on I. A. R. Wylie's interesting novel “The Inheritors. Tudor, last of a noble line, is faced with eviction from his ancestral domains. His nephew, Ot.-™, betrothed to his graiM.daughter Irene, makes a strike for fortune by leaving England for South Africa. Ihe worst happens. The mortgagee ’°rocloses, and the Tudor home is bought by John Kershaw, one of the ’m'TY riche, who promptly ousts old J udor from the mansion. With his Sanddaughter they leave for London, and there are shown many good-hearted kindnesses by a show girl at one or tue theatres. She succeeds in getting Irens a place in the gaiety company, in which capacity she seizes the fancy of Kit Kershaw, the dissolute son of the njillionairs. Word comas that Oven has died in Africa, and pressed by force of circumstances Irene agrees to marry Kit in order that her grandfather may return to liis old borne and live out the vears left to him. The news of Owens death is not true. As a matter of fact fortune has smiled upon him,, but ris cablegram relating the fact is intercepted and destroyed by Kit, who sees in it an end to his dreams of happiness. When the wedding takes place, the ,grandfather, who. is failing, disowns Irena on realising, who the bridegroom is. hut kismet waits to strike —a great tragedy occurs, which accounts for Kit, leaving the wav clear for the union of Irene and Owen. Tudor, senior, is wo 1 acted bv John Dowling, Grace D.annond is'the t-indly showgirl, and Lydia Yeamans Titus figures in a character part. Mary Philbin, as Irene, is bewitching under all circumstances. Thera will be a matinee to-day.

BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Hill Billv" which is the principle feature at Ilia Britannia Theatre, is a simple story of a simple day, and portrays Jack Pickford as the ragged yet dominant boy of the Kentucky Hills. Garbed in the tattered raiment of the mountains, he is the daring, venturesome, lovable youth of the backwoods. Amid the wild and irregular setting of the Kentucky hill region a charming romance is unfolded, and its effectiveness is to be found in ftie unadorned simplicity which characterises the narrative. It will be ranked ns one of the conspicuous successes of Pickfords’ career. A realistic portrayal of Parisian: life is shown in "While Paris Sleeps," which has for its locale the Latin Quarter of Paris. The number 2 Dempsey series of "Fight and Win" is also shown, together with the latest Gazette. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Her Temporary Husband,” a picture which has a laugh in every foot of it, is the feature film at the Princess Theatre. Sidney Chaplin, brother of the famous "Charlie," plays an important comedy role as butler, while Owen Moore takes the part of a disguised invalid. The plot surrounds Sylvia Breamer, who marries an old man for his fortune. Lucky for Owen Moore, her enterprising admirer, however, the intended groom sports a heavy crop of whiskers. This gives Moore a chance to masquerade as the old man —and then follow the complications. Another fine film, entitled "Chivalrous Charley," starring Eugene O'Brien, is included in the programme. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and he has arranged the programme as under:— Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, by Bach; Romance, Op. 118 (No 5), by Brahms; Suite Ancienne, by Holloway; Siegfried-Tdyll, by Wagner; Scherzo (Op. 70), by Hoffmann; Elegie, by Clausttmann; and Symphonic Poem, “Danse Macabre" (Op. 40), by Saint-Saens.