ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 100, 22 January 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE GOLD RUSH” AT DE LUXE. Charlie Chaplin’s new picture, "The Gold Kush,” consisting ot 10 reels, will open at the De .Luxe Theatre at matinee to-day, thereafter daily and nightly. "The Gold Rush” is a comedy drama with :j. story of laughter aud tears and of hope deferred. A critic says: It is a rugged story with the spectacle of a valiant weakling in search of gold in tho biting blizzards of the north. “The Gold Kush” is a United Artists’ release, and brings Charlie Chaplin to the topmost peak of his dazzling career. This story of the Alaskan gold rush, interwoven with all the jobbings oi fate that well can come to one who is typical of life—almost reaching the goal and watching its shadow disappear with the pained expression that only a Chaplin can wear—is a story crowned with tho majesty of enterprise and the futility of it. This picture of the Alaska of bygone days is Chaplufs greatest picture, for two reasons; it represents his intellectual and artistic growth fresh from his dramatic triumph, and, secondly, it runs the entire gamut of human emotions, the blended panorama of life, the subtle and vital essence of it, the defeat and the victory and growth of a soul in struggle. In the role of hard luck. Chaplin presents the biography of a life with complete understanding and sympathy, “while the pathos and sufferings of the characters are converted into laughter.” The management state that they take great pride in announcing tho screening of this masterpiece, and anticipate the greatest business since the De Luxe opened. In order to accommodate the patrons who will wish to see this great picture, parents are advised to send their children to the matinees, which will bo held daily at 2.30. The box plans are now open at tho Bristol Piano Co., Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre, No. 23 —080. “LEAVE IT TO JANE.” The production of the musical comedy, “Leave it to Jane,” by the J. C. Williamson organisation, in the Grand Opera House, for the second time last night, was greeted with an audience which proved that tho public taste was struck successfully, for tho house was crowded in every part. Good musical comedy is a great draw, especially when it is’ replete with (good musical .items, well rendered, witty dialogue, aud played br an excellent company in every respect. Deserved applause was again frequent, laughter and merriment as spontaneous as it was frequent, showing a degree of appreciation most "ratifying to the performers. Miss Mona Bailee, as Jane, as pretty and graceful, with a pleasant voice, and articulation as clear as a bell. Athol Tier ns Harold Bub Hicks, played a delightful comedy part, and proved an accomplished comedian. He is original as well as genuinely wittv, and has an aptitude 'or dancing, ably supplemented by Miss Dorothy Lena's' assistance. There are plenty of dances, and pleasant songs throughout, amongst those prominent being Elmer Gibbs, Dorothy Lena, Leyland Hodgson, Jack Cannot, Harry Wotton, and Percy lo Fro; indeed there is not a member of the excellent company who does not freely contribute to tho'general success of this worth-while performance. Tho orchestra leaves nothing undona to provide musical numbers of tuneful excellence. Box plans fog to-night arc at the Grand Opera House Confectionery, and plans for the balance of tho season will be or.on at the Bristol on Saturday. A iratinee is to bo held on Wednesday next. WIRTH’S CIRCUS. The very word circus possesses an attraction for young folk as well as old, and tho performance being given bv tho Wirth Bros, near the Taranaki Street Wharf. in their great tent, loses nothing by the fact that performances of tho kind are few and far between. Yesterday afternoon there wore ;t great number of visitors to see tho animals on view, and they were well rewarded by viewing perhaps tho best collection of wild animals ever shown under one marquee. The performance at night was a great event, tho different items being attractive, many of them quite new to a local audience, besides tho time-honoured ring events. The performance of tho seals was marvellous, tho elephants proved themselves clever and intelligent. Tho startling and spectacular turns were immensely exciting, tho juggling, .tumbling, and clowns work left no loophole for fault-finding, and elicited frequent thunders of applause. Altogether, tho show was pronounced to bo tho best Wirth Bros., who possess a great reputation ior excellence, have presented in the Dominion. This afternoon there will be a matinee, and to-night the full performance will ho given. Tho box plan is at the Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’?* THEATRE. The popular principals of the Moon and Morris Revue Company have the parts of a pair of would-be ‘ sheiks bent on having an hilarious time in “Cameos/ 4 which is this popular company's latest production at His Majcsty’s Theatre. Their antics are funny in the extreme, and never fail to provoke much merriment. A lively farce is the Arbitiation Court scene, in which several gentlemen, who have enthusiastically led the gay life without regard ior the relation between income and expenditure, are brought to book. Tho favourite singers are again heard in a senes of very pleasing numbers, and. the ballet of six pretty girls display their talent in graceful dances. In the vaudeville half of the programme, Slavin and Ihompson are heard in bright songs and comedy; the Janetski trio of brilliant xylophonists plav in finished style; the Four Little Kellys delight with their remarkable musical skill: Miss Estelle Rose scores in song and story; while Air. Alex. Kelleway, a fine baritone, pleases with suitable numbers..

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Bright and clever numbers are included in the farewell programme of the “Futurists” English Devito Company, which will commence at the Paramount Theatre to-night and end definitely on Thursday next. “lhe Futurists” have shown their ability to give a most satisfying show of the lighter tvpe. and their new programme is said to bo even bettor than their nrevious successes. Comedy sketches interspersed with dancing items, 'bnllaclK, eccentric danciijg, and topical absurdities will follow each other with lightning speed. Included under tho last-named heading there is to bo a clover racecourse burlesque entitled “The Trentham Tragedy.” “Moonlight and Roses” is a romantic moon, light fantasy, which features tho successful dance number of that name. In it Ira Love will appear as “Moonlight,” Winnie Edgerton as “The Rose,” and the Cabaret Kittens as “Moonbeams.” Ira Love and George Corelli will sing the famous “Miserere” operatic duet from ”11 Trovatore.” Thrills, pathos, tragedy, colour, real fun, beautiful photography, a wonderful love story and unusual settings are promised in “The Afaking of O’Afalley,” which will bo the new feature on the picture programme. It is Milton Sills’ first starring vehicle, and is a vivid, heartgripping storv of a New York policeman and a society heiress, especially fitted for tho stalwart dramatic vigour of this star. During tho evening Aliss Gladys Thomas and tho Paramount orchestra will contribute Irving Berlin’s song hit, “All Atone. ’

TIVOLI THEATRE. A programme of exceptional interest Jias been selected for showing at the Tivoli Theatre, commencing to-day at 1 p.m., and continuously, till 10 p.m. The star attraction of the double bill is presented by United Artists, and features Alary Pickford in what is described as the clowning achievement of her career, “Tess of tlie Storm Country,” a role that is in every way suited to her personality and ability as an actress. "Tess” is a great picture. It is full of thrilling incidents and powerful drama, and shows the beautiful star nt her best. It is I he story’ of an outcast bravely hearing the burden of nnolhcr, one of the sweetest, saddest, gladdest stories ever filmed, from the novel by (Iracc Miller While. Tim second pic-lur-i is a Beaumont Smiln production, “The Adventures of Algy bi Maori-

laud,” featuring the blew Zealand film star. Bathic Stuart, and Lhiude £ al “; pier” and his Monocle of Mirth. Manj scenes in this picture were taken in Now Zealand, "nd hosts of New Zealand folk are to bo seen. It is an excellent com-edy-romance. Many Maori men and maids are introduced, also scenes of Rotorua and gorgeous scenic eharnis of New Zealand, and the romance of busy Sydney. Plans are at the Bristol, oi ring theatre, 40—246, for reserves.

KING’S THEATRE. . “Lorraine of the Lions, a Universal Super-Jewel, is to commence a weeks season with to-day’s maunee performance at the King’s Theatre. It is stalci to be die of the most amazing Pictures of the season, and to contain a thrilling interest in every scene. Laughter and pathos are intimately interwoven in this \hscrbiiw storv. which has many gorgeous settings. ‘ Patsy Ruth Miller and Norman Kerry arc the players who head the east. It is described as the strangest love story ever told. A beautiful rirl marooned on a South boas island—ouecn of beasts in a jungle homo protected by a great gorilla, watched over bv elephants, guarded by lions. A tigerish little beauty whose entrance into polite society created a turmoil of passion and jealousy. The audience is said io bo amazed at this weird love story. A special music programme, together with an excellent supporting lull, considerably enhance a fine evenings entertainment. Theatre telephone 22--1-is available for reserves. EMPRESS THEATRE. The pro"! anime which commences at the Empress Theatre to-day promises to bo exceptionally good entertainment. The two features are lhe Manicure Girl” a Paramount picture, and ino Fighting Sap,’’ a Master picture. Bebe Daniels and Edmund Burns have the leading parts in “The Manicure Girl, and Dorothy Cumming, the Australian actress has quite an important part to plav. ’The story is of a pretty mamcure girl, who ib in love with, a young electrician. Her sweetheart becomes icalous of a wealthy admirer, and the two become estranged. It eventually turns out that her admirer is a married man, and from this to the climax, where things straighten themselves our, thoro is plenty of action, a little pathos, and many laughs. Fred Thomson and Silver King, his wonder horse, are the stars in “The Fighting Sap,” a really stirring story of tho Western type. Fred Thomson never had a better, opportunity, both from tho standpoint of characterisation, and tho accomplishing of daredevil stunts, than ho has in thio picture. A comedy and the latest Bathe Gazette will complete what should be a really fine entertainment. STRAND THEATRE., Judging by the advertised programme which commences at the Strand ’Theatre to-day, it would seem that tho high standard, set will bo well maintained this week. Tho two features will bo "Cheap Kisses” and “Tho M hito Outlaw.” Cullen Landis and Lillian Rich aro the stars in “Cheap Kisses,” a Master picture, which deals with the lives of the young and some of tho older, people of the present jazz-crazed age. There arc some very fine scenes of the big homes in America, and tho popular health and pleasure resorts. “The White Outlaw," with Jack Hoxie and “Scout,” is an unusual Western picture, hold together by a well-knit plot, and raised to an artistic pinnacle by tho magnificence of tho rugged . Western scenery. Tho story concerns a wild horse, captured and tamed by a cowboy. Tho horse is beaten by a ranch liand, and runs away, gathering about him many nomad horses of the Western plains, who freo other horses, and causo Hoxie to bo accused of rustling. With tho stigma of guilt upon him, he goes to the mountans to recapture the wild horse, and prove his innocence. There will also bo an excellent supporting programme. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Described ns Hoot Gibson’s greatest picture, “Spook Ranch,” a romance of action and thrills, which commences a week’s season with this evening’s showing at the Queen’s TheaFre, contains all the elements that should appeal to lovers of swift-moving Western dramas. Interspersed with a generous share of good clever comedy, the drama moves to a powerful climax after wending its wav through a riot of fun and seemingly unsolvahle situations. Helen Ferguson plays tbe part of Elvira; x ispposite Gibson. A talented cast of players will be seen in support. Included .in the supporting programme is a'further chapter of “Samson of the Circus,” tho Universal serial. An hilarious comedy, an interest picture, and the latest International News will also be shown. Pleasing music will complete the evening’s entertainment. A special matinee is to take place to-day, commencing at 2.30 p.m. Box plans aro available at the Bristol, until 5.30 daily, and after at tho theatre, ’phono 22—334. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. “Wanderer of tho Wasteland,” Zane Grey’s great story, and one of the most popular of all the books ho has given to tho public, is the first full-length Paramount picture to be produced completely in colour, and will be initially presented at the Artcraft Theatre tonight. In this picture the tcchnicolonr process was used. Jack Holt heads Ihe list of featured players, which includes Kathlyn Williams, Noah Beery, and Billy Dove. Three other excellent pictures, together with music by James Haydock, complete the bilt.