ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE IRON HORSE." So many superlatives are broadcasted nowadays in booming big films that the public prefer to wait and see for themselves before pronouncing judgment upon a picture. The’ success of "The Iron Horse,” the Fox masterpiece, which was introduced .yesterday at the De Luxe Theatre, was, however, complete and instantaneous. For once, realisation exceeded expectation, and, in fact, it can truly be said that half the virtues of ibis epic of spanning the American Continent with a railroad had never been extolled. It is a stupendous subject which is handled in a manner worthy of the great triumph of man over forbidding nature, and fierce Redskins, which it chronicles. From the time that President Lincoln signs the Bill, authorising the work to be undertaken, every phase of the gigantic enterprise is faithfully recorded. Through the great story of the conquest of tho Golden West runs a love story of rare charm. The trials and tribulations of the heroic builders of the railroad which made America are graphically portrayed. Blinding blizzards, sand-storms, fierce Red Indians, strikes by the workmen, and the scheming and plotting of landowners who seek to profit by the railroad passing through their properties, have all to be fought and overcome. Alushroom towns spring up in a night and are hurried on as tho track passes them and leaves them derelict. The battles with the Indians—and there are many of them—are amongst the most realistic scenes ever caught by the camera. Out in the heart of the great continent a man has to be a law unto himself, and even the youthful hero has to kill his arch-enemy with his bare hands before he can accomplish ijis father's dream to see the Atlantic and Pacific linked bv a silver thread of iron rails. One of the charms of the big picture is the life-like rnnresontations of types and characters following the Civil AVar. Blue and grey work side by side with Italians and Chinese to the strains of "Drill. Ye-Terriers, Drill.” with such zest that ten miles of rails are at last laid in a single day. The acting is superb throughout. George O’Brien makes a dashing Dave Brandon, the dare-devil pony express rider, who rescues the Continental railroad enterprise from failure by finding a pass through the Cheynn’e Hills. Dainty Afadge Bellamy is adorable as Miriam Marsh, who accompanies her father throughout tho perilous enterprise. But tho finest acting of all is done by J. Farrell Macdonald as Sergeant Casey, who imagines that he is resnonsible for the success of the whole enterprise. A delightful musical score accompanies the picture, and here the De Luxe orchestra, under Air. L. D, Austin, scores a signal success. It is long since an audience went into such transports as were heard af the Do Luxe Theatre last night. "Tho Iron Horse’’ will bo screened daily at 2.30 and 8. ■ "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA." "The Phantom of the Opera," Universal’s much-heralded successor spectacle to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and described as one of ’he most daring departures in screen portrayals ever attempted, is announced for early re'easo at tho De Luxe, AVellington. It is a spectacular mystery story of Paris, in which a complete operatic performance, staged in a huge replica of the Paris Opera House largest in the world, is compared with weird and grotesque adventures in tho great cellars an<l catacombs. Lon Chaney plays "The Phantom.” a strange creature of the shadows, in a make-up that eclinses his weird disguise as Quasimodo in tho Victor Hugo classic. Alary Philbin plays the opera singer whom he kidnans to his underground' stronghold, and Norman Kerry plays her lover and rescuer, A remarkable cast, including simh noted screen plovers ns Virginia Ponrso>>, Gibson Gowlnnd.' Snitz I'klwards, Cesare Gravina. Arthur Edmund Carewe, John Sainpolis, Ward Crane, Chester Conklin and Anton Vaverka, is seen in the principal roles, and fully five thousand people take part in the mob scones, the brilliant spectacles on tho grand staircase of the Opera House, nnd the gala performance of "Faust” staged in the. .. Opera House proper. Alucl) of the action is taken in colour photography which gives a vivid aspect to the kaleidoscopic scenes. The dropping of the huge chandelier of tile Opera House on the heads of the audience, the remarkable chases through the dark underground collars, and the strange adventures on the underground lake are among the big scenes of the story. EMPRESS THEATRE. Richard Dlx, one of the most popular of screen stars, is featured in "The Lucky Devil," which is the present star attraction at the Empress Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of a young salesman, who, through a fluke, wins a magnificent roadster. It develops that the' car has been the centre of a sensational divorce suit, and when i)ix meets Doris (Esther Ralston), "the only girl,” she recognises the car, and will have nothing to do with him, believing him to be the good-for-nothing Rudolph Franklyne. Dix sets off after Doris and her mother, who are touring the country in a battered old car. He conies upon them stalled, just as he runs out of petrol. When they arrive in town they find that a big-road race is to be run off at the fair grounds. Two hundred dollars is the entrance fee, and after getting tho money by staying two rounds wth a prize-fighter, Dix drives his car to victory, after a wonderful race. The big prize places him on easy street, and ho wins Doris for his wife. "Welcome Stranger," the other big feature, contains a laugh in every scene, and tells how Isidore Solomon puts ti New England town on the map, x This fine programme includes a Stan Laurel comedy, entitled "Now Dublin," and the latest Patho Gazette. Tho Empress orchestra play appropriate incidental music. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Constance Talmadge. is even a rarer visitor to the screen in AVellington than her sister Norma, but for ten years past both have held prominent positions, among tho most popular of moving picture favourites. On this occasion Constance appears at the Paramount Theatre in the \lively comedy, "Her Sister from Paris,” produced by Joseph Schenk, whose skilful direction has been involuublo to the Talmadge family. The picture is one of tho spiciest human stories which have been adapted to screen purposes. Aliss Talmadge plays the pails'of twin sisters. That is to say she is the neglected wife of Joseph VVeyringer, the Viennese author, and also her sister Lola, an internationally famous dancer. As Helen Weyriuger one finds this charming young woman irked because her husband’s love has become mechanical—he takes everything lor granted. His wife, who is highly temperamental, resents this so much that she resolves to leave her husband for good and all, but as she is about to leave the city she meets her sister Lola at the railway station. Learning of the unhappy state of her domestic affairs, Lola conceives the idea of allowing Helen to impersonate her off the stage. Tho real Lola makes a triumphant appearance at the grand opera, where the audience includes weyringer, and also Rob&ct Well, a bachelor friend of the VVeyringers (and Helen's admirer). Botli are. charmed with the dancer, and Joseph, thinking his wife miles away, pursues her with Adonis-like fervour, never for a moment suspecting that it is his own wife ho is milking love to. Helen (us Lola) visits her old home, and shocks the faithful old servant Bertha by tho piquent way in which she draws Joseph on. It is only when the latter is completely in the meshes of tho not set for him that Helen reveals her identity, not. hrwever, before he has admitted that ho had treated his wife shockingly. There are on’y five characters in the story, Aliss Talmadge nlavs two of them adorably; Ronald Colman is Joseph Wc.vringer. The De Forest Phonn-Glms are nlso being shown this week, togother with an amusing oosnedy, and a gwette. [

GUY BATES POST. Before a large and enthusiastic audience Guy Bates Post and his clover company staged the final performance of “The Bad Alan” at the Grand Opera House last evening. "THE GREEN GODDESS.” At the Grand Opera House this evening, and on the four following nights, Air. Guy Bates Post will stage his final production, "The Green Goddess, which was declared by many of his critics in Sydney to be the finest play in his splendid repertoire. It proved one of the outstanding successes staged in Loudon and New York during recent years, and it attracted largo audiences in Sydney and Alelbourne for upwards of six months. It is cleverly constructed and the hand of the talented William Archer, its author, can, it is said, be traced in every line of it. A powerful blending of sardonic humour and fine literary quality are among the outstanding features of "The Green Goddess,' and from the rise to the fall of the curtain the interest in the unravelling of tlie story is intense. The thrilling third act, when life-and-death wireless messages are dispatched from a poweriul wireless station, created much enthusiasm in Auckland recently, and the rescue of tlie aviators just before the finale of the ploy is quite sensational. Air. Post, in the picturesque robes of the Rajah of Rukh, dominates the play. One minute he wins the sympathy of the audience and the next he earns their deep disgust. Ho presents the. suave, cruel, sardonic and educated prince .o the very life. Dramatic though tho role undoubtedly is. Air. Post puts such clover comedy into his brilliant characterisation, that thrills and laughter alternate. Miss Eilleen Sparks is said, to be at her very best as Lucille, a character that gives her greater scope than she has yet received, and Air. Ashton .Tarry has scored one of his best successes as the fierce High Priest. Mr. Leslie Victor, as the Cockney valet, scored an outstanding triumph in the Sydney production, and so did Erie Afaxon as Doctor Treherne. Mr. Winnington Barnes presents a life-like characterisation of Alajor Cresnin, who dies on behalf of his Wife ami his friend. Othors in the cast are Cecil Haines and Frederick Francis. The sce.norv anti dressing, it is said, cost over .£5603 to create. The lighting effects are another feature, of the production. TIVOLI THEATRE. The Tivoli Theatre has another fine double star attraction this week, headed by the popular male star, Rulopli Valentino, in “A Sainted Devil,” a story taken from Hex Beach's book, “Tlie Hope’s End.” "A Sainted Devil” is a romance of South America —a story of Don Alonzo (Valentino) and Julietta, his bride, played by Helen D’/Algy, who is stolen from him by bandits on their wedding night. The star lias the role of a handsome young planter, who becomes tho terror of 'he neighbourhood, making friends with none, always waiting for his "day" when he will even up tho score with tho bandit who had deprived him of the one he loved best in the world. It is a great story, the best Valentino production to date. Nita Naldi, Louise Lagrange, Bagniar Godowsky, George Sieginann. and others play in support of the star. The second feature is a domestic drama, “Cause for Divorce," featuring Pat O'Malley and Fritz Brunetti. It is a Btory .of two young wives who almost wrecked their lives on the rocks of loneliness. V-’auso for Divorce” is a Selznick super-feature, and is most powerfully titled Strong supports are also promised. "LITTLE 80-PEEP." On Saturday next, starting at the matinee, "Little 80-Peep” pantomime is to be presented at the Wellington Opera House for a short season, under the direction of Mr. Stanley McKay. Amongst the artists engaged for the New Zealand tour is Alisa Rene Rich, undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest girl violinists. Aliss Rich, although only 18 years of age, has made a name in Australia, where both the Press and public acknowledge her as an extraordinary artist. Another young lady of the company is Aliss Ruth Bucknall whose lyric voice has been heard in all the prominent .halls of England, including the Albert Hall and Queen’s Hall. The management has also been fortunate in securing the services of Air. A. E. Y. Benham, the only male singer. Aladame Melba has ever interested herself in hearing Air. Benham, since three years ago she said he had the finest bass voice in Australia, and insisted on his going Home to study, paying his passage to England. The comedians are Frank Perryn, Arthur Meredith, and Australia’s’funniest girl, Alaudio Stewart. Miss Laura AlcLeod is the handsome principal boy, and amongst the specialities are tho Wonder Rascals, whirlwind acrobats from the Sydney theatres, the Tivoli and the Haymarket. These amazing performers do the most daring tunibling with an ease that is astonishing. Beautiful dresses, lovely, scenery, and excellent lighting are to bo features of tho production. Seats may be reserved at tho Bristol, commencing on Thursday next. KING’S THEATRE, "Tho Sporting Venus,” tho MctroGoldwyn feature screened at the King’s Theatre last evening, is a long way out of the hackneyed commonplace. Apart from its engrossing story, the picture gains in interest by the fact that it was actually screened in natural .settings in London, Biarritz, Paris and Scotland, so that one has the gratification of knowing that the various scenic exteriors arc tho real thing and not canvas and paste J board of Hollywood invention. The story is that of Lady Gwen Graylo (Blanche Sweet), who dares to fall in love with a commoner, Donald McAllan (Ronald Colman), much to the distate of her friends. Qn the Continent Lady Graylo (who is the daughter of Lord Graylo, a Scottish nobleman), meets Prince Alamo (Lew Cody), who, in search of a fortune lays siege to Lady Gwen’s heart and hand, and through a bit of specious trickery, almost succeeds in parting the lovers, but a series of entirely unpremeditated circumstances, mostly of a humorous character, upset the prince’s plans, and after a period of thrilling suspense the lovers are united. In addition to those mentioned, George Fawcett. Edward ATartindol. Kato Price, Hank Mann, and Arthur Hoyt do excellent work in this interesting picture. The programme also embodies a Patho News, a series of screen snapshots, a New Zealand scenic, and a comic cartoon. Air. A. H. Jerome’s orchestra provides admirable incidental music. lIIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. "Gems,” which efnbraces the cream o£ the many bright revues which the popular Moon-Morris Company have submitted during their phenomenally successful season, at present holds the boards at Mis Alajesty’s Theatre. The principals appear in a delightful representation of those famous characters, Mutt and Jeff, as they keep tho audience laughing heartilv with their merry quips and quirks, while the eccentric dance with which they wind up is something quite unique. Tho two clever comedians also do a bright policeman sketch, which they round off with "The Roast Beef of Old England." Air. Sydney Burchall, Aliss Noll Fleming, and Aliss Ena Gordon are all heard in pleasing numbers. Tho vaudeville section of the entertainment includes Barclay, a clever sleight-of-hard artist: Mae Rugae, sprightly danseuse; Phil Lopaz, humorous juggler; Sam Stern, comic singer; and the Littlejohns, clever jugglers. It goes without saying that there will be a crowded house to-night to farewqll the Alonn-Alorris Company, who have mads themselves extremely popular during tho season. There will be n matinee performance at 2.30 this afternoon.

STRAND THEATRE. • "Where Was I?” the Universal-Jewel production now at the Strand Theatre, is Reginald Denny's most amusing com-edy-drama. Tho plot is concerned with the tremendous efforts of a shy, staid you,ng business man to discover Lis whereabouts on a certain past date. He loves one girl, and another claims that she is married to him, enthusiastically proclaiming the day' on which tlie ceremony took place. Denny becomes desperate when all his endeavours to prove nn Iron-clad alibi fail, and he gets little svmpathv from his piqued fiancee. Also his board of directory hoar of U;e trouble, and begin to lose their confidence in the man whore, they hr.d pr*-

viously deemed a model of rectitude. Eventually the entanglements are happily unravelled, and Denny and lus sweetheart are reunited. "White Man” is the title of the second big feature on the programme. In it Alice Joyce has the role of Lady Andrea Pellor, who has consented to marry Mark Hammer, the wealthiest diamond mine owner in South Africa. How she is freed from a loveless union by an unknown airman makes a thrilling story. Tlie supports include a cOracdy, and a Gazette. QUEEN’S THEATRE. "The Storm Breaker,” from Charles Gucrnon’s story of the same name, is a great story of the sea, or seafaring men and of their women folk on a little rock-bound island off the coast of Nova Scotia. The part assigned to House Peters, that of a domineering man who fears nothing on earth or in heaven, and who believes that everything conies to him by the strength of his will and arms, is one which suits him admirably and which he invests with a tremendous reality. He is supported by an all-star cast that includes Nina Romano, Ruth Clifford, Ray Hallor, Jere Austin and Alark Fenton. Forceful, physically powerful, and believing there is no greater power than he, John Strong is the most successful fisherman in the little island fishing village of the coast of Nova Scotia. Fate brought him in personal contact with Lysetto Do Jon, whom he falls in love with, and wins after a thrilling adventure on the sea. The supports are excellent, while the incidental music is much appreciated. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” cost well over a million and a quarter dollars. The principal players ,in the cast, which numbers over three thousand, are Patsy Ruth Aliller, Ernest Torrence, Brandon Hurst, Winifred Bryson, Kate Lester, Tully Marshall, Jane Sherman, Harry Van Meter, Gladys Johnston, Raymond Hatton and Nick de Ruiz. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is to be screened at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. Mr. James Haydock has arranged special music for this great production, and his entr’acte "Polish Danse” (Scharwenka) is sure to please patrons. "THE JOY GERMS." ('The Joy Germs,” who are to appear at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Saturday, February 20, will introduce to the public a merry musical show, produced and presented by Mrs. Albert Russell. With the slogan "Radiate the Jo.y Germ,” there should not 'be a dull minute in the. programme. Margot Bletsoe, Airs. Glen Grange, Leigh Duo, Joe Hunt, AVanda Herbert, Tom Collings, David Herbert, Lillian Gray, nnd Mr. and Airs. Albert Russell are among those who distribute "joy germs,” Mr. Trevor Fisher is the pianist and accompanist, Clever sketches and concerted musical numbers are a feature of the entertainment. The box plan is now open at the Bristol. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr, Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give an organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening nnd will play tho following items:—Fountain Music and Duet (Act TI, Scene 1). Pelleas and Melisande. by Deibussy; Choral (No. 2) in B Minor, .by Cesar Franck: Suite Ancienne, bv ’Holloway; A Tear, by Moussorgsk.y-Poie; Danse des Odalisques, Op,’ 2 (No. 3), by Rebikoff-Page: Third Afovement from “Scheherazade” (Suite Svmphonique for Orchestra), Op. 35, by Rimsky-Korsakoff.