ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 79, 28 December 1925, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Peter Pah,” that delightful elf who very wisely point-blank refused to grow up, and had such a thrilling time in the Nover Never Land fighting Ped Indians and pirates, continues to hold crowded courts at the daily matinees at the De Luxe Theatre. Sir James Barrie’s dfelightful fantasy is beautifully visualised in this film, which Is ideally suited to the festive season. Betty Bronson is at her best as Peter Pan, and seems to personify the very spirit of eternal youth. The star is well supported by a strong east, including Ernest Torrence and Cyril Chadwick. “Peter Fan” will bo shown daily at the matinees throughout the whole of this week, and another film which drives the youngsters into gasps and shrieks of amazement is “Storeoscopiks.” As in the first series, all manner of most sfartnng surprises are sprung upon the audience. You really do not know whether it is to bo your fate to be kissed by a mermaid or fassoed by a cowboy. The outstanding film at the evening performance is “Old Home Week,” a rushing, tearing tale which describes how a young fellow returns to his home town, and by a lucky sequence of events prevents the citizens from being swindled by a couple of rascally company promoters, who are floating a bogus oil well. A feature of the picture is the particularly good acting by Thomas Meighan and Lila Lee. The latest Gazette gives some most interesting views of Tfarsaw, the ancient capital of Poland, which was a centre of culture, a hundred years before Cook discovered New Zealand. “Stereoscopiks” is also shown on tho evening programme, and provides delicious thrills for young and old. Choice music by the Orchestra De Luxe matces up an entertainment well worth seeing. “THE WHITE SISTER.” Artistically, and in every other way, “The White Sister” is expected to be the finest picture of its kind screened in this city. It will be shown at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. Directed by the master director, Henry King, “The White Sister” has been adapted to the screen from the widely-read'and famous novel of the same name by F. Marion. Crawford, and it is said to glorify and magnify the unquestionable charm and art. of the demure Lilian Gish. Alone, she literally made "The Birth of a Nation,” “Orphans of the Storm.” and "Way Down East" —never-to-be-for-gotten masterpieces. Briefly, it. is a love romance, beautifully sad. It possesses a striking spiritual quality, which not only lends to the picture a pronounced and obvious distinction, but which also proves to be very effective in that it leaves sweet memories. Vividly the great emotions in “The White Sister” clash; and wonderful is the revelation of the two souls in conflict. Progressively and vigorously the picture works up to a climax. One sees the pleasant and fascinating Angela promise to love her hero for ever and ever on the eve of his fateful departure for Africa. And one sees her again, having recovered from the dreaded news of the death of her lover in the far-off, desolate wild, loving the church where she found solitude, and peace, entering into a marriage with it, and becoming for all time one of its pure nnd faithful white sisters. But then, with dramatic suddenness, there comes back Angela's passionate lover, whom she had long since given up as dead, to claim her. And then it was that he Icarpecl that he was but a day too late — that his love, who had so fervently promised to be his till death them did part, had wedded the Holy Church, and was no longer his. Vainly he endeavoured to tempt her to forsake her sacred, vows, but she held fast to her beliefs nnd remained bound up with the Church. The ending is too subtle to be betrayed, but suffice it to say that up till within two minutes of the ending of “The White Sister,” few people, if any, in the audience cau foretell the conclusion. The locale of the film is in Italy, and all the old atmosphere has been caught. Exciting and spectacular scenes include the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the rolling streams of molten lava' pouring down the mountain side; the bursting of a huge dam; the flooding and overwhelming of the villages at the mountain’s foot, and the last mad ride of the lover of the AVhite Sister. A special musical programme has been arranged by Mr L. I). Austin for the orchestra. In addition an elaborate prologue will be staged. The box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Co., Aitken’s Book Arcade, or seats may be reserved at the theatre, ’phone 23-080.' HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The management of His Majesty’s Theatre announces the first production tonight of the Moon-Morris Coy. in Edward Warrington’s musical extravaganza entitled “Mecca.” It. is, as the title suggests, a story of the East —a satire on Oscar Asche’s “Cairo.” The scenery has been specially painted at the Hugh J. Ward studios, Sydney, and, whilst glorious in its colouring is delightful in its simplicity. Comedy interludes in a side street in the brilliant market scene, giro scope to the popular little comedian, George Moon, who i g featured in this production. The third scene, the harem, is also a splendid effort, and features Ed. Warrington in a burlesque of Oscar Asche. Another outstanding feature of the production will Ire the presentation by George Moon and Dan Morris of their world-famous back-to-back dancing, as presented by them at the Winter Gardens, New York. There are also N-’ll Fleming, Syd. Burchall, William Beresford, Ena Gordon, Vera Sewell, and the whole of the strong Moon-Morris combination, including (he ballet and chorus, who are augmented for the occasion by twelve of Wellington’s most beautiful girls. The .new vaudeville programme for to-night is of special interest, containing, as it does, four high-class acts headed by the popular Charlstpn Jazz Symphonists. These clever musicians have proved to Wellington audiences that their act is the most entertaining of its kind that has been seen Lei'S. They present an entirely new programme to-night. Newcomers of note are Grace and Keats, who have been very successful with their delightful offering of -song, and comedy elsewhere on the Fuller circuit. Alex. Kellaway, the singing rover, is making his reappearance after a lengthy absence. Tho Cavanna Duo, in their clever American vaudeville novelty, complete a programme that, for all-round entertainment value could hardly b* bettered.

KING’S THEATRE. “The Silent Accuser,” shown at the King’s Theatre, on Saturday night to a packed house, is a picture of thrills in which a most prominent part is played by a wonder dog, Peter tho Great, in unravelling tho mystery surrounding a cold-blooded murder, lhe dog, which witnesses the murder, is stunned by the murderer. An innocent man is condemned for the crime and imprisoned. Tho dog, aided by the sweetheart of tho wrongfully imprisoned man, aids in a thrilling escape from tho penitentiary, and the three commence a long chase across a continent, for the real murderer. He is discovered and attacked by the dog, and tho feat of death compels a confession. Into this story are packed thrills of a most sensational character, and Eleanor Boardman and Raymond McKee keep well to the pace set them by tho dog. Never before has’there been seen in Wellington a picture that so vividly depicts tho great self-sacri-ficing love of a dog for its mnstei. Kepi'psentation of this feature alone is sufficient to make. *ho story a great one, -but when combined with it is a story so dramatically powerful as this it becomes irresistible. There is presented also a masterly example of tracking and the audience shares in all tho vicissitudes of fortune of the principals and shares also the hopes and fears of tho trackers as the trail gets hot or cold. Tho dog is a magnificent specimen of the species and is shown to have all its faculties alert for the great event. The supports include n Patlie Gazette, screen snapshots in Hollywood, a New Zealand scenic—Lake Wanaka. The King’s orchestra renders with its usual charm a choice selection of incidental music. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. From Now York to Singapore the notion mows will, adventure and thrill in “Tho Half Wav- Girl,” shown nt the Paramount Theatre on Saturday to crowded houses. Seldom has there been

screened in "Wellington a picture so crammed fnll of thrilling inc-dents. An all-star cast is led by Doris Kenyon, iflovd Hughes, and Hobart Bosworth. Force of circumstances result in a girl being left alone in Singapore and she is comnclled to accept the hateful position of a cafe “hostess” if she would remain-out of prison. The brave front which she puts on affairs enlists for het the sympathy of a man, until now devoid ot manhood. He finds his own soul, and together the two find happiness. Tho supports include a Pat Sullivan cartoon “Felix th-.- Cat -Busts into Busines < '/ , a scenic, and tho latest gazette. The Paramount orchestra again justifies its reputation with the excellence of its rendering of special inci“ent'al music.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. “Thank You,” which is starred at the Queen’s Theatre, is one of the fines! pictures of its kind shown for many a dav. It is a story that creates a wonderful'feeling of happiness and goodwill to all, and that alone is something that is very rare. “Thank You” has an all-star cast, the three chief characters being portrayed by such well-known names as Alex, B. Francis, George O’Brien, and (last seen and greatly admired in “The Fighting Heart”) Jacqueline Logan. In the supporting cast are George Fawcett, J. Farrell Macdonald, James NeiliMarion Harlan, Vivian Ogden, and Frank Bailey. Besides this fine picture there is another instalment of “Samson of the Circus.” which is followed by other "attractions of note. Reservations may be obtained by ringing the theatre, No. 22-334, after 6.45 p.m. THE NEW PRINCESS. Crowded houses greeted the change of programme at the new Princess Theatre on Saturday, when “The Little French Girl” and "Uvtherea” were screened. The former features Alice Joyce and Neil Hamilton, and is adapted from the novel by Anno Douglas Sedgwick. It tells’ of a mother’s care for her child in sending her to England away from the light looks of the Continent. In England she finds - happiness. The second feature is a very powerful story of love and romance. “Cytherea,” the Goddess of Love, features Lewis v Stone. Alma Reubens, Norman Kerry, and Irene Rich. A wife should not make a business of Reing a wife, she should make a game of it. That is the moral to be found in “Cytherea.” The hiisband,; despite the encroaching years, still "was susceptible to- the influence of love and romance, but could not find it in his own home. Ho commenced to look elsewhere. Then began for him a, series of startling adventures such as he had never conjured in his dreams or thoughts of love. A rollicking Christie comedy, “Tender Feet.” featuring M alter fliers, and a gazette, are also shown. At all evening sessions a. feature of the performance is the new Princess orchestra of six soloists. ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

- The final screening will take place this evening at. the Artcraft Theatre of the screamingly funny comedy-drama, “The Adventures of Algy.” in Maoriland. The featured players arc Batlue Stuart and Claude Dampier. The latter, as Algy, loved the former (Kiwi), and worked to find a fortune aud the solution to a cross-word puzzle. The various scenes are taken in Wellington, Dunedin, Rotorua and Sydney. An exclusive and highly interesting picture is “A Trip to the Vatican,” and the news and animal comedy are both good. James Haydock s music is excellent, and his entrance “Grand Valse Brilliante” will he finally lilayed to-night. To-morrow night will see the commencement, of a three nights engagement of “Ronnie and Monty/ a clever and harmonious musical act, in addition to the full picture programme.