ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 120, 15 February 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. The trials and tribulations of the heroic builders of the railroad which made America are graphically portrayed in “The Iron Horse,” now at the De Luxe Theatre. Blinding blizzards, sand-storms, lierce Real Indians, strikes by the workmen, and the scheming and plotting of landowners who seek to profit by tho railroad passing through their properties, have all to be fought and overcome. Out in the heart of the great continent a man has to be a law unto himself, and even the youthful hero lias to kill his archenemy with his bare hands before he can accomplish his father’s dream to see the Atlantic and Pacific linked by a thread of iron rails. Ono of the charms of the big picture is the lifelike representatives of types nnd characters following the Civil War. 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 Cheyenne Hills. Dainty Madge Bellamy is adorable as Miriam Marsh, who accompanies her 1 father throughout the perilous enterprise. But the finest acting of all is done by J. Farrell Macdonald as Sergeant Casey, who imagines that he is responsible for the success of the whole enterprise. Under Mr. L. D. Austin the De Luxe orchestra gives a delightful interpretation of the fine musical score -which accompanies the picture. “The Iron Horse” will be screened daily at 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. After phenomenally successful runs at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, the Phil Smith Musical 1 Comedy Company will make its initial appearance at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. Phil Smith himself needs no introduction to Wellington playgoers. He is well known as one of the most popular comedians that have visited the Dominion. Of the company’s first appearance in New Zealand at Christchurch, the “Lyttelton Times” made the following statement:— “Christchurch is going to be very good friends with the Phil Smith Musical Comedy Company. It is doubtful if there have been in any company that has preceded it, so many really clever people. The delightful playlet which they provided is not dependent for its success on the efforts of one or two—there are so many who can confidently carry important roles that the production becomes what the American film people call an all-star production. Phil Smith himself is the drollest of droll comedians, while Nat Hanley, as Bolger, tho bad boy of the school, was a constant delight. He is an actor of wide capabilities who captivates his audience from the moment bo makes his first appearance on the stage. William Greene was inimitable as the French master. His was one of the most delightful pieces of work seen in any similar offering here for many a day. Miss Peggy Peate, and Miss Phillis Nicholson were always prominent elements in the success of the performance, while the other clever people of whom there are many, all bore their full share of the happy business. The ballet is of the best, the costuming and • mounting are excellent and the produuction is first class; the songs are pretty and well sung, and tho humour is always there and always irresistible. The opening production is entitled “Mama’s Boy,’’ a highly hu morous and elaborately mounted musical comedy. In the vaudeville section, two new artists are making their first appearance. Mr. Harold Walden, a prominent -English comedian and entertaner at the piano, is an artist whose work has been highly appreciated elsewhere on the Fuller circuit, a.nd it is fully expected that he will become a firm favourite with local audiences. Swift and Daly also make their first appearancenovelty musical artists —with an offering that is decidedly novel. The performance of Barclay, who presents an entire change of magical entertainment, will complete a programme that should be one of the strongest seen at Ilia Ma. jesty’s for a very long time. • KING’S THEATRE. An exceptionally entertaining programme at present holds the screen at the King’s Theatre, headed by the Metro-Goldwyn attraction, “The Sporting Venus.” 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 first-rate players to make this splended action-filled romance, which tells of the daughter of a Scottish lord who falls in love with a commoner whilst her father is living on the Continent. Complications follow to provide much exciting entertainment leading up to a dramatic climax. A well-selected supporting programme includes on excellent New Zealand scenic, an interesting film of the screen snapshots series, a laughable cartoon, end the latest International News. The King’s select orchestra plays a well selected programme of music. The box plans are available at the Bristol until 5.30 daily; after at the theatre, or ring 22—212 for bookings.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Constance Talmadge successfully solves the problem of the "neglected” wife and the loving but undemonstrative husband in a novel manner in “Her Sister from Paris,” which heads the bill at the Paramount Theatre. Iler idea is to impersonate her gay, attractive twin sister, who is a Parisian dancer. Her plan succeeds, and the now charmed husband is so fascinated that he wishes to elope with her. The delightful climax comes about when the husband forgets his fascination for time enough to realise that the lady of his dreams has always been his own wife Ronald Colman is wpll cast as the difficult husband. Good supports are shown, and the Paramount orchestra contributes delightful incidental music.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. House Peters has one of the finest roles of his career as the domineering John Strong in "The Storm Breaker," now at the Queen’s Theatre. Strong reasons that nothing comes to him but through the power of his muscle and the strength of his will, whether it be the fishes caught in his net or the frail girl that he has taken from her mainland home. IFe is a strange character study, this John Strong, and in the hands of Peters he becomes a living, vivid reality. Peters’s acting provides the spark that brings John Strong to life But there comes a time when this great, strong man, who has dominated everyone, becomes a pitiable spectacle. Here, too, Peters shows what a versatile actor he is; far from making the audience bate John Strong, he suddenly creates in it a feeling of sympathy for the man. There are excellent supports, and. the incidental music maintains the high standard set at the theatre.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. The final screening of one cf the greatest nictorial achievements ever presented. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," will take place at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. The story is toe well known to need repetition: suffice to it to say it is of absorbing interest throughout its entire twelve reels. Lon Chaney, one of the greatest character actors on either stage or screen, ploys tho difficult role of Quasimodo, the hunchback. He is supported by such well-known players as Patsy Ruth Miller. Ernest Torrence. Norman Kerry, Nigel de Brulier nnd Tully Marshall. Specially selected and most appropriate music by James Tlaydock completes a very fine entertainment.

PANTOMIME IN WELLINGTON. The children, as well as the adults, are to have their favourite entertainment this year, arrangements having been made with Mr. Stanley McKay to bring hjs complete English and .Australian pantomime company to Wellington, where a short season is to start at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next, the initial production of "Tattle 80-Peep" being at the matinee at 2.30. The management states that, as far as quality is concerned, the combination has never been exce r ed either in New Zealand or Australia. Musicians should not fail to hear Erne Rich, the eminent Australian violinist: Ruth Buchnell, "the girl with the golden voice”; nnd A. E. Y. Benham, Melba’s protege, and Australia’s groat basso. The Wonder Rascals, amazing whirlwind acrobats, arc worth going a

long way to see, while the comedy is in the hands of Frank Perryn, the talented English artist, Arthur Meredith. the funniest ot dnme.% an<i Mutidie Stewart, Australia’s clever comedienne. A fall ballet, chorus, orchestra, beautiful scenry, and elaborate costumes are all included in the production. Seats may be reserved from Thursday next at the Bristol. OEGAN RECITAL. The Town Hall was well patronised last evening when an organ recital was given by Mr. Bernard F. Page, city organist. The programme comprised:— Fountain Music and Duct (Act 11, Scene I), from "Pol eas and Melisnnde’’ (Debussy); Choral (No. 2 in B Minor), (Cesar Franck); "nite Ancienne.- Prelude Cshorule: Couranto, Duo Finale alia L’uga (Holloway); A Tear (MoussorgskyPage); Danse des Odalisques Op. 2 (No. 3), (Rebikoff-Page); Third Movement from Scheherazade” (Suße Symphonique for orchestra), Op. 3(i (Rimsky-Korsa-koff).