ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 118, 12 February 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

“TIIE IRON HORSE” AT DE LUXE THEATRE TO-DAY.

At the matinee at 2.30 to-day, Iho Iron Horse” will have, its initial screening at the De Luxe Theatre, and thenceforward daily at 2.30 and 8 for a limited run of one week. The Fox release schedules permit only this period for Wellington, and judging by the generous response of the public, as indicated in ,i big reserve at both the Bristol and Aitken's, the season should prove an unqualified success. Of the many interesting phases of this big William Fox production, tho one that stands out in relief against the historical background is the wonderful life-like representations of types and characters shortly after the Civil War. Through this great story of the railroad conquest of the Golden West, runs an equally great red-blooded love story. Smiling George O’Brien is .said to score the merited triumph of his career as young Davy Brandon, the daredevil pony express rider, who finds the only possible gulch cut off in iho Chevenrie Death Hills, and simultaneously rescues the Continental railroad enterprise from failure, and his boyhood girl love from the 100 per cent, villain. There are tense, scenes in plenty when O’Brien is said to lose his famous smile. Madge Bellamy, as Aliriam Marsh, is the sweetheart of his dreams, and her prettiness and daintiness are said to account much for tho charm of the love interest. J. Farrell Alacdonald has an -'inimitable role in tho part of Casey, who, with his other two boon companions, Slattery and Shultz, provide most of the comedy.' Old-time melodies and song play an important part in the screen production, and these will be introduced with their old-fashioned rhythm in tho speciallyscored musical synchronisation which Mr. L. D. Austin, conductor of the De Luxe orchestra, has specially adapted to the picture, and which will be played by tho full band under his direction. The prize two-guinea essay competition is attracting much interest among the younger folk, and we are asked to inform those participating, so as to answer all numerous inquiries, that tho essay Is limited to 500 words, and only children under 16 are eligible. Also, that all essays must reach the manager of the De. Luxe Theatre by Thursday next, February 18. “THE BAD Al AN.”

There was another good attendance at tho Grand Opera House last, night, whou tlie fourth presentation of Porter Emerson Browne’s dramatic comedy,! “Tho Bad Alan,” was given. This satire on the manners of Alexico, a country little known in New Zealand, was exquisite. Tho final performance of “Tho Bad Alan” will be given to-night. On Saturday night “Too Green Goddess,” a thrilling drama of East and West, will be presented. Tho Sydney ‘'Aforninft Herald’’ critic describes it as. “A play of serious adventure, set in a framework of Oriental mngni. fieenco and unparalleled luxury.” The central figure is the Rajah of Rukh, tho ruler of a picturesque territory in the Himalayas, and into the domain of this wily and suave rajah there descends a damaged aeroplane containing three Britishers, and, because three of his brothers have been executed that day for committing murder, thegrajah decides to put into practice the old law of “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Some most dramatic scenes are provided in the subsequent acts, and in one of the most thrilling scenes the radio plays a prominent part. “The Green Goddess” is from the pen of tho late William Archer, the then doyen of London critics, who wrote it as an answer to a challenge on the part /of certain playwrights who had suffered from his criticism. To the immense relief and happiness of his brother critics, William Archer won instantaneous success with his first and only play, and thus it was proved io the theatrical public and playwrights that a good critic may also be a good dramatist. As the rajah, Guy Bates Post is said to give a magnificent character /Study, and other members of tho company who have particularly important roles are Aliss Eileen Sparks and Alessrs. Ashton .Tarry, Leslie Victor. Winnington Barnes and Gerald Pring. KING’S THEATRE. s Greeted with tremendous success wherever shown, “Tlie Sporting Venus,” a Aletro-Goldwyn production extraordinary, directed by Alarshall Neilan, will be presented for the first time in New Zealand to-night at the King’s Theatre. To Biarritz, Paris, London and much of Scotland went Marshall Neilan and his production unit, including Blanche Sweet, Ronald Colman. Lew Cody, George .Fawcett, and a number of other firstrate players to mako this splendid action filled romance-, which tells of the daughter of a Scottish lord who falls in love with a commoner whilst her gather .is living on the Continent. The father returns on her eighteenth birthday, closely followed by a penniless prince who is-determined to marry the heiress. Complications follow to provide much exciting' entertainment leading up to a dramatic climax. A well-selected supporting programme includes an excellent New Zealand scenic, an interesting film of the screen snapshots series, a laughable cartoon, and the latest budget of International News.. The King’s select orchestra will, it is stated, be

well up. to its usual high standard, a special programme of music having been arranged by Mr. A. H. Jerome, which considerably enhances a fino evening’s entertainment. Box piano are available at the Bristol until 5.30 daily; after, at the theatre, or ring 22—312 for bookings. EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho programme which will commence at the Empress Theatre to-day is said Jo bo the best entertainment offered for some months. The two features are “The Lucky Devil, ’ : a Paramount picture, and ''Welcome Stranger,” a Master picture. Richard Dix is said to do the finest work of his career in “The Lucky Devil,” and Esther Ralston is his chief support. The story is about a young man who demonstrates auto camping outfits in a general store. His longing for the open road is realised when he wins a speed car at a charity bazaar. Later on, whilst touring, he • meets a girl and her aunt at a tourist camp, and falls in love with the girl. They mistake him for a notorious wealthy young bounder, and leave without a word to him. He follows them all over the country, and the rest of the production deals with the scrapes Ito gets into, tho money ho is fleeced out of, winding up with his entering hiscar in a big motor race, full of thrills. The comedy situations are stated to be delightful. ' ‘'Welcome Stranger” was recently seen in Wellington as a stage play, and had a wonderful run. This delightful comedy has now been adapted to the screen, and is declared to bo even better than the stage version, mainly owing to tho better facilities for production. It is the story of how a Jew overcomes tho prejudice of a small town, puts it on tho map. and makes a leading place for himself, where ho was at first not wanted. The east includes Florence \ idor, Noah Beery, Lloyd Hughes, Robert. Edeson, Virginia Browne Faire, IVm. V. Mong, and Otis Harlan. Tho supporting pictures will include a delightful Stan Laurel comedy, entited “Near Dublin.” It is jri.sh. and Stan Laurel is reported to sioze all his opportunities for creating humorous situations. The latest Pa the Gazette will also be shown.

PARA MOU NT THEATRE. Beautiful Constance Talmadge, one of tho screen's most popular actresses, is starred in "Her bister From Paris," which will open at tho Paramount Theatre to-day. She is shown as the loving wife of an undemonstrative husband," and undertakes to educate him into manifesting his unquestioned love for her. The trouble is just now to bring about this '••cry desirable state of affairs. She has an idea to impersonate her gay and somewhat wayward sister wbo°is a Parisian dancer. In this dis’miso she elm-ms her. husband so completely that he even elopes . with her. As’ the story unfolds, entrancing -limpscs are shown of life in the homes of Vienna, and behind the scenes of the theatres. The concluding sequence takes place in a wonderful, lonely old tavern in the. forest, a relic of the ancien<- days of the old Viennese gaiety. AU is well that ends well has been the

idea of Aliss Talmadge throughout, and she is satisfied with the success of her plan when her husband awakens from his fascination in time to learn that he loves, after all, none but his own wife. Ronald Colman has the part (.f the husband. There is a good supportting programme, and excellent music will bo contributed by the Paramount orchestra.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. All tho best sketches from all of eleven previous productions in Wellington are given in “Gems,” the final revue of tlio Moon and Morris Company at His Majesty’s Theatre. One of the most popular acts in the entertainment is tho appearance of the principals in a clever humorous representation of those world-famed cartoon characters, Mutt and Jeff. The pair seemed to enjoy tho sketch as much as did their largo audience last night, and the bright patter and quaint song they introduced were fittingly rounded off with a remarkable simultaneous dance. Moon and Morris are also seen in an amusing policeman sketch which they close with their famous patriotic number, “Tlie Roast Beef of Old England.” Other pleasing song numbers are contributed by Mr. Sydney Burchall, Miss Nell Fleming, and Miss Ena Gordon. Acceptable items in the vaudeville section are Barclay’s con. elusive demonstration that the quickness of the hand deceives the eye; Mao Ragne’s dainty dancing; Phil Lopaz’o juggling burlesque; Sam Stern's comic songs; and clever juggling by The Littlejohns.

STRAND THEATRE. Reginald Denny heads the "ast in “Where Was I?” tho star feature at tho Strand Theatre this week. Iho second feature is “White Man,” with a cast which includes Alice Joyce, Kenneth Harlan, and Walter Long. “Where Mas I?” concerns, the adventures of a young man who is trying ‘to determine where he was on January 9, 1926. It is said that his troubles in trying to find out what happened on that day, complicated by a plot set in motion by his business rival, make this the best thing Denny Ims yet. done. Thelo is a big variety of comedy and plenty of thrills. The supporting east includes Marion Dixon, Tyrone Power, Lee Moran, Chester Conklin, and Otis Harlan. "AVhitc Alan” tells the story of a society girl who is confronted with the prospect of a loveless marriage .to a diamond king in Africa. Utterly sick at heart at the prospect, she seeks tiigiit with a young aviator who is about to make a trip into the heart of the jungle. She repents of her act on arrival ar his station, but owing to a breakdown in the mechanism of . the aeroplane, is prevented from returning to civilisation. She meets with many startling adventures during her enforced stay, the last one, which leads u.p to the climax, being her kidnapping by a renegade white man in an adjoining plantation. Her former friend, however, manages, after many exciting escapades, to effect a. rescue, and she is subsequently taken back to her home, where she becomes engaged to “White Alan.” The supporting pictures include a delightful comedy and the latest Bathe Gazette.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Stormy adventure on the high seas, thrilling rescues, high romancis and glorious drama are stated to , the elements that make "The Storm Breaker,” a Universal super production, one of the finest epics of the seas. It will commence' a week’s season, with this evening’s showing, a special matinee taking place to-morrow at 2.30. "Tho Storm Breaker” is an ideal vehicle for House Peters, who heads the exceptional east, which comprises such stars as Ruth Clifford, Lionel Belmore, Raymond Hallor. Peters impersonates John Strong, who is/one of those types of men who seems to have taken unto himself tho very surroundings in which he was roared. He is a strange character study, this John Strong, and in the hands of House Peters he becomes a vivid living reality. Tho clash of love and hate spurred to furious combat by tho ego of John Strong, forms one of the most dramatic episodes in screen history. The climax is stated to be one of the greatest character portrayals of the times. An excellent supporting programme, together with a rare musical bill considerably enhance a splendid evening’s entertainment. Box nlnnr. are available at the Bristol until 530 daily, and after at the theatre, or ring No. 22-33-1- for reserved seats.