ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 286, 17 August 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Havoc,” which heads the current programme at the Do Luxe Theatre, is one of the most powerful stories screened in Wellington for some time, and depicts the havoc that may be wrought by the heartless conduct of a beautiful girl. It's action is tense, and has scenes which will sway the most cynical natron of the silent drama The picture tells of the manner in which two lifelong friends are turned into bitter enemies—so bitter that one sends the other *o almost certain death—by a heartless society girl George O’Brien, Walter McGrail. Margaret Livingston Madge Bellamy. Leslie Fenton David Butler. Harvey Clark, and Eulalie Jenner head the cast. “Sawdust and Spangles." a .upportmg fea ture shows how circus animals are trained. Excellent music is supplied by the AMEEIOAN VENUS.” . A comedy with a decidedly original theme is “The American Venus, which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next, with a matinee ; on Saturday at 2.30. The cast is note worthy, in that it includes seven of the sy : ze-winning girls in the great Atlantic city beauty pageant of last year, and Fay Lanphier, who won the contest, and the title of “Miss America.” The leading masculine roles are played by Ford Sterling and Lawrence Gray, while Esther Ralston has the chief feminine part. Some of the most spectacular scenes in the film were photographed in natural colours, and are said to I e remarkably beautiful and striking. j he stage upon which a number of girls were paraded in a fashion show was so large that the cameras had to be moved back the entire breadth of the studio. The story f s most interesting, and is full of amusng situations, and the film is further ihanced by the most lavish and Mixuri is costumes, sets and scenic effects. The ligh point of spectacular display in the Picture is a fashion show, and artistic tableaux, which were also Limed in colour. “The American Venus” is heralded as a picture that will not only charm, but also fascinate. An additional attraction will be the Charleston ballet, comnosed of ten Wellington girls. The prologue has been arranged oy Miss Phyllis Bates, who, with her partner, will also appear. The music will be of the highest standard. The Fox nlans are now open at the Bristol, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or seats may be reserved at the theatre, telephone 23—080. ,T. C. WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE. The latest company of international stars from the J. C. Williamson theatres in Sydney and Melbourne vill commence a short season at the Grand Onera House next Saturday. To picture a score or so of wonderful dogs, dressed as. navvies. working on the front of a building in the course of erection, carrying cement and bricks, scrambling rp ladders and along scaffolding, all intent on doing their job without any apparent stage direction from their trainer, is to but faintly realise the performance of Leonard Gautier’s Bricklayers, described as the world’s wonder dog actors. Their playlet, “The Bricklayers rf Dogville. ’ introduces a most remarkable team of trained dogs. Hardly less in importance in this splendid compan” is Mantell’s Manikins, a novel miniature pro duction, entitled “La Petit Cabaret,*’ in which sixty star performers, including dancers, acrobats, clowns, and bullfight ers. vie with each other. Two dainty English girls. Katrina and Joan, from the London Colosseum, will present a series of classic and modern dances Marie Moore, will, it is said, charm with her smart American songs at the piano while Elroy of the graceful limbs wiP amaze with her acrobatic gyrations on a huge luminous sphere. A brilliant French pianist. Dechelette,. rnd Maxiy* Brodi a Russian tenor, will combine in a vocal act. Imito will present his gifts of mimicry in a beautiful woodland setting, wherein his imitations are said t<* deceive even the real birds that accompany his act. A finalist in the recent “Miss Australia” bean tv »ontest. held in ‘Svdnoy. Miss Peggv Mon at, dances the Charleston. Another ‘’far is Van DncJItalian cartoonist. Tbn box nlans wiP onen at the Bristol on Thursday morn in” at 9 o’clock. KING’S THEATRE. Entirely original in both theme and manner of production, “The Great Divide.’ the Metro-Go]dwyn special attraction now showing with great success Ft the King’* Theatre represents good entertainment in every respect. It contains an excellent and attractive cast, including Alice Terrv Gonwav Tearle, Wallace Beery. Huntly Gordon and Zasn Pitts. This adaptation from Vaughan Moody’s famous stage play is a virile story, and possesses a very human appeal. The action starts in a small New England village, and travels from there to the Painted Desert of Arizona. Alice Terry as Ruth Jordon, gives a performance which is flawless, and. though it is one of the most difficult roles ever brought to the screen, she carries it most convincingly. Conway Tearle. as the man of the Painted Desert. is a cross between a nolished gentleman and a caveman. A combinationwhich nrodnees a powerful mental and nhvsical character of great fascination. Wallace Beery’s "Dutch” will not soon be foreotten. The other members of the cast are seen to (treat advantage. A snecial feature of the i.rosrramme is th" inclusion of the latest, enternrise of th" motion nicture. namely special “shots” depicting Amundsen’s and Commander Bvrd’s aerial exploration of the Pole. The support Ina subjects are. excellent, while the orchestra is. heard in delightful accompanying music. QUEEN’S THEATRE Rough, virile drama of the outdoors such as "Combat.” the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre, is popular because it presents life of a nature that wo would all like to know, yet don’t. House Peters has the starring role, that of a rowdy lumberjack. Opposite him is Wanda Hawley. while the other members of the colourful cast are Walter McGrail and C. E. Anderson. Lynn Reynolds directed this International Jewel production. The supporting programme is comprised of a gazette, scenic, and comedy, with capital Incidental music by the Queen's orchestra.

BACKHAUS CONCERT TO-NIGHT. The first of the three recitals which Backhaus, the world-famed nlanlst. 1b to give in the Town Hall, will take place to-night the second reoital to-morrow night, and the final one cn Friday, under the direction of Mr E. J Gravestock. To-night’s programme is the same as the ono he gave at his first concert in Australia. which created such a sensation in Sydney. It contains some of the finest of the masternieces in Hano music A Sydney critic reviewing this programme, says: ‘‘For sheer sensuous delight the art of William backhaus has not been excelled by any pianist who has come to Sydney. In this decade, at any rate. Music under iis fingers is woven into an atmosphere of warmth and colour, ethereal yet passionate that beat" and surges unbn the emotions. The frenzy of annlause that erected the fina’ of Beethoven’s sonata. Apnassionata.’’ was ns much the relief of these sur charged feelings ns the intellectual under standing of a great composition. The grandeur, the majestic tone of the las* nlleurn of that tremendous outburst, arc beyond words. Next came a group that started with Schumann’s Tn the Even inc.’ as delicate as wistaria under the moon This was followed by three short compositions of the fantasy nieces from the spontaneous pen of the tenderest writer of them all. Then <nme an arrangement of the scherzo from Mendelssohn's ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ bv the Australian. Ernest Hutcheson. The Rra-hms variations on a theme by Pagn ninl were still a further rnanifestatio" by Backhaus of his bowers. From the crash and scintillation of these amazinr ly difficult variations. »he nianist passed to a Chonin grown t - rf included the b" loved Polonaise In A flat. Schumann Liszt, and Rachmaninoff were the com nosers offered ns encores. There are old -music-lovers who treasure memories of Paderewski. They will find in Backhaus one who will revive those memories as no other nlayer could.” Lady Alice Forgusson and suite will attend to-night’s concert. The box nlans are at the Bristol, and the dav sales at the Grand Opera House confectionery. A different programme will he given to-morrow night HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The Elton Black’s Town Tonics Revue Company last night at His Majesty’s Theatre developed into what it was intended they should be—Purely a. revue. Deserting the field of the elaborate, connected story, in which they achieved no great success, for a collection of short sketches, graced by the appropriate title of “A Box of Tricks." they gave unoucs tionably their best performance to date Theirs was one continuous "reducer o' almost uncontrolled laughter. For this of course. Flton Black was largely responsible. Without him tho nerformanc" would be dead, and for the reason that his infectious humour bolds the company together. The right note was caucht with the sparkling onentng en semble “We’re Just Here to Sing.” and “Mississippi” (Alice Bennetto and Tow Topics). The humour, taken a step fur ther in “Caught Again" 'Elton Black Chas Sherman, and Chas. Megan), reach cd its highest noint in the brilliant farce "The Band Rehearsal.” of which the audience would have annrec’ated more Elton Black. Chas. Megan. Chas. Sherman. Arthur Clarke, and Ray McLean, as veteran 'bandsmen, with instruments as a.ntionated as themselves, were respons ible for ono continuous round of nnroari cue laughter. The novelty song. “Thankr for the Buggy Ride.” representing burInsane on that poonlar song by Curlev Sherwood. Neva Carr Glynn. Olga and Thelma Christensen. Dot Oresswell and Peggy Sharp, occasioned much laughter “Changed Glasses ” a farcical sketch of a domestic tragedy, featuring Percy McKay. Alice Bennetto. and Elton Black, was greatly appreciated, as wore the sketch “Just Like That" .'Elton Black. Arthur Clarke. Alice Bennetto. and Neva Carr Glynn), and the farce. "A Duchess for a Day." in which the whole company assembles. Included in the song numbers was an outstanding rendering of ’The Stoker." bv Percy McKay, while the song and dance. “We’re Together Again” (Neva Carr Glynn), and the Anache dance bv Ray McLean and Dot Grossweil, with a song by Arthur Clarke were clever performances, duly recognised by the audience. In the vaudeville section Frank Foster and Robert Needham are making their first appearance In Wei lington with a burlesque. “Going to the Party' The title is a misnomer, and their singing is of such a standard that the audiences would probably prefer to hear more of that and lees of the burtesoue. They are a fine combination, whose voices compelled attention. Harry North maintained his great reputation and favour of the public as the concertina swaggie. his turn ceing ono well worth hearing The St Leon troupe of athletes and acrobats, now in their last week, had something new to show in their amazing feats of strength and agility. Hastings and Adair made a pleasing combination in new comedy musical items- their humour and their music alike meeting with the approval of the audience The orchestra, under Wilfr-vi Kohn added to the gaiety of the evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. “The Enchanted Hill.” which is being shown at the Empress Theatre, is a thrilling romance of mystery and love in the Wild West. It is packed full of wild rides, aeroplane fights, comedy, and drama. Ira Todd, acting under instructions from a lawyer, tries to harass Les Purdy, owner of "The Enchanted Hill" ranch. Purdy sends Todd to hospital after a fight, and meets the owner of the neighbouring ranch. a young lady. She listens to Purdy until Todd explains to her his side of the dispute. But Todd and his men are driven out of the country, and - the lady and n urdy find happiness together. The r-st includes Jack Holt. Florence Vidor. ’Fnah Beery, and Mary Brian. Lou Tellegen, Louise Lorraine, and Elliott Dexter feature in an exciting drama of love and the law, “The Verdict,” the supporting picture. Among tho interesting supports is a film of the Hawke’s Bay-Wellington football match, played on Saturday. The orchestra plays appropriate music. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Old Loves for New,” founded on the novel "The Desert Healer," by Edith M. Hull, the author of “The Sheik,” is the feature being presented at the Paramount Theatre this week. Lewis Stone, as the hero, awakens warm sympathy, for, returning home from the front, he finds that his wife, who he loved with devo tion. has left him for another, and left his baby son dying. He casts himeelf out of civilised life, and goes to French Africa, where he lives a wandering life with the Arabs, until the man who has stolen his wife turns up. Barbara Bedford. Katherine McDonald and Walter Pidgeen ably support the star. In support are a Gaumont graphic, scenic. Pathe review, and "Felix the Cat” cart"nn. with excellent music 1 y the orchestra. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Is it fair that a woman who commits an indiscretion can never live down the memory fo her folly, while a man, equally guilty, is allowed to forget the past? is the question asked in the powerful Tiffany production, "Morals for Men,” which will open nt the Artcraft Theatre to-night. The theme concerns not only morals for men, but morals for every married person. It hints at the futility of divorce to bring happiness in every case to couples who have become estranged by grievances, fancied or otherwise. Conway Tearle and Agni’s Ayres will be seen in the respective lending roles. There will also be a gazette and comedy, all to appropriate music by Mr. James Haydock. “A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT.” What is descried as ‘one of the outstanding nlavs of the century." "A Bill of Divorcement.” bv Clemence Dane, is to be ri-iduced ffiv the National Repertory Tfie-tve Society (incornoratecl). under the direction of Mr. Leo Du Chateau, in the Concert Chamber of lhe Town Hal' on Saturday. Monday, and Tuesday next. f or the first time in New Zealand. "A Bill of Divorcement" is an example of a propagandist, nlay that has no propaganda in it. To have been didactic would have been to ruin the nlay and to have altogether avoided being didactic is a fine tribute to Miss Dane’s literary powers and sense of fitness. The nlav is both strong and original, ami it is claimed that it will i fford the society a medium for expressing the canebilities of its actors and nmduccr. The nnst will include Mrs. John Hannah. Miss Mollv P'immcr. Miss Iren» Ma"nn. Mrs. G. F. Hunter, and Messrs. W. S Wanchon Frank Burden P. B. Broad. Tcfld McCaw and C. S. Grear. The box' nlans fur the ti lrPP performances are now available at tho Bristol and with the experience of the society’s nrevions nroduction. "P-~ malion.” in mind, prudent natrons wil’ doubtless make ti'dr reservations i"■nnd time. ACCIDENT AT MANGAHAO «. BY TELEGRAPH.— pnvss IBSOCIATION Levin, August 16 A fatality occurred at the upper dam at Mangaliao late on Saturday afternoon William J McLeod was working on a ledge on the bank of the river when he was struck by a heavy piece of timber, which fell from a point 20(1 feet above, where other men were working The blow fractured his skull At the inquest, Francesco '’nrdello stated that he was settarin” timber iiighet up the bank When he had finished he threw a niece of timber over, not knowing that anyone was working below. A verdict of accidental death was returned.