ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 307, 23 September 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE NEW PRINCESS. The final screenings will take place to-day of “The Ancient Highway” and ■•The* Man who Played Square,” at the New Princess Theatre. To-morrows change will include the filming of the final of “Miss Australia” beauty competition, which shows the judges selecting the winner from the finalists. It is a complete record of the final selection of the winner of probably the greatest beauty competition ever held in Australia'. Seeing New Zealand is now holdin" a similar contest, this film will bo of”special interest. The question of the hour is: Can New Zealand produce a girl to equal or beat “Miss Australia?” Time will tell, but by meeting "Miss 'ustralia” one will be able tn compare the competitors. Special screenings are to take place at 11 a.m.. 2.20, 5.40, and 8.40 daily. The supporting programme vi'l include Bebe Daniels and Neil Hamilton in a Viry vivid story of a pretty •irl crook who tries to reform—because ’louse-breakin" is too hard work for a •oman. In "The Splendid Crime.” Bobo Daniels is said to have .a splendid role. Another feature is "Tlie Folly of Vnnty,” starring Betty Blythe. The remainng films include a Fox comedy, a erial, and a gazette. HLBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS. The J. C. Williamson, Ltd. management anticipated that there would be a urge demand for seats yesterday when he box plans were opened for the ap ■reaching Gilbert and Sullivan ’opera eason, which begins on Saturday night text, with a representation of the popuir, picturesque, tuneful, and amusing : omic opera, "The Gondoliers,” but hey probably did not expect such a rush >s there was. It was the general opinon of critics in Australia, and more ccently in Auckland, that never previ>uslv has a better all-round production ,f "The Gondoliers” been staged in this cart of the world. Not only does this ipply to the cast of characters and to lie. work of the chorus, but the new costumes and the scenery, recently painted by Mr. W. S. Coleman for the Melbourne revival, were important conributions to the success. The company, specially organised by the J. 0Williamson, Ltd. management, includes a number of English artists who have made their reputations in the Gilbert ■nd Sullivan operas. These include Mr. Sydney Granville, a noted London baritone and comedian; Mr. Leo Daunton. famous English tenor; Mr. Bernard Manning, a dashing young baritone; and Miss Winifred Williamson. That brilliant Gilbertian comedian Mr. C. Walenn, will receive a warm welcome from playgoers, and so will Mr. James Hav, who made himself extreme’y popular when the last Gi'berf and Sullivan company that toured New Zealand. Miss Patti Russell (soprano), and Miss Mabel Gibson (contralto), are other leading members of the company. Only three evening representations will be staged of “The Gondoliers,” and an afternoon performance will be presented on Tuesday. During the season will also lie staged "The Yeomen of the Guard.” “The Pirates of Penzance.” “The Mikado.” "Tolajithe.” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” and "Princess Ida.” PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Norma, Talmadge has a delightful role in the name part of "Kiki,” which is now showing at the Paramount Theatre As a wonderful little girl of the Paris streets, whose whole being is centred around an ambition to become a "great lady.” Miss Talmadge has full scope for her splendid- abilities, and she reveals herself as a fine comedienne. "Kiki" finds her lot hard when an opportunity to secure a position on tne stage having opened before her, she finds herself unable to appear at the rehearsal as she has not n suitable dress. The determined spirit of the girl does not fail her, and she wins her part, and falls in love with Victor Renal, the theatre manager. How Kiki defeats a network of feminine intrigue against her makes a delightful climax. Ronald Colman and Marc McDermott head the supporting cast. A Gaumont Graphic, a scenic, and a "Felix, the Cat, cartoon complete an excellent programme Michael Arlen’s books and plays, among which are numbered “The Greer Hat’” and "These Charming People, have brought him a tremendous vogue “The Dancer of Paris” is considered b'_ critics as one of the most powerfii shories written in a decade, and this which is the first to be filmed, will be screened nt lhe Paramount Theatre tomorrow. Conwnv Tearle is starred, and Dorothy Mackaill plavs in Ins supnori in tlie production. Both of these pmv ers are said to give a performance ot unusual distinction. The picture was made under the direction of Alfred .A. Santell. who has endeavoured to brine intact to the screen the distinctive style of Arion’s writings.

DE LUXE THEATRE.. "A Slave of Fashion,’ which will have its final screening at the De Luxe Theatre to-night, tells of a beautiful but unsophisticated girl, who has lived tn a midd’e-westorn village all her life, but has yearned to go to the city, primarily to lie able to see and wear clothes. She gets her wish, but almost at tho cost of her good name and the wrecking oi her home. However, the family honour and happiness are saved, and the girl wins a wealthy husband to boot. Nonna Shearer does some splendid acting as the girl. Tho supports and the music arc excellent. Tlfe popularity of the stars, Conway Toarlo, Alice Joyce, and Clara Bow, the direction by Herbert Brenon, and the reputation of tho stage piny "Dancing Mothers,” to be screened at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow, which was written by Edgar S'elwvn and Edmund Goulding. and which plaved for almost a year on Broadway, all point to a good film. It will bo remembered that when Zane Grey came to the Dominion there was filmed a picture of swordfislrin" in Now Zealand. Tho title of this film is "Fighting Fins,” and it will ihso bo on the programme. Tho Snr plans are now open at the Bristol. Aitken’s Book Arcade, or seats may be reserved at the Theatre, telephone 23— OSO. HIS M..UESTY’S THEATRE. Matrimonial entanglements are spun in whirlwind fashion in 'Oi tho Wheel,” Iho current revue by the talented Phil Smith Company nt Hie Majesty’s Theatre. Full advantage is taken of the many opportunities for clover fooling, and the audience is kept in a simmer of amusement throughout. The inimitable work of tho principal is a nevor-fniling source of enjoyment, and Nat Hanley scores in bis burlesque song, "Where tho Cock-eyed Claras Grow” (sung in that solemn and u.nmoved fashion Hint marks him as a trim comedian). Mnnv bright song numbers arc included, and in 1 lu< dances tho Smiling Six leave nothing to be desired. Continued popularity is enjoyed by the Veterans of Variety in their old-time songs, choruses, am. jokes. Miss Robo Kesslova. the talcntcc. gipsy violinist, is also on the bill. KING’S THEATRE. . , Tho final screening at the Kings Theatre will take place to-night of the highly entertaining romance. "My Own Pal.” a fast-moving "action play,” that is entirely different from Tom Mix’s usual tvpo of picture, although if lacks none of tho elements of entertainment ■T>nt have made Mix such a remarkable "draw." It is said that "My Own Pal” is his best picture this year. Adapted from Go-aid Beaumont’s romantic story, "The 'Gallant Guardsman.” the film reveals Mix nt his best. He is prominent in a multitude of breathless stunts and "ripping scenes. with a remarkable ”... ,-x. Entertaining music and supporting snbiects are further additions tn the programme. Sequences Hint grin tho imagination -nil incidents that chill the ,snino aro -romisod in the attraction coming to ■ho King’s Theatre to-morrow night. ”l>is is tho Motrn-Goldwvn-Atoyer nic'ur<‘, 'The iiysfic ” a melodrama cramnod' with thrills and fo’lowing n ro--uico that develops between an interational confidence man and a "insv mvsttc who noses as a medium with supernatural powers. The picture is a •lisciosure of Hie trickorv of fake sm’ritnlists and mediums. An impressive • cf is Imadod bv Aileen Pringle amt ''onwav Tear'e. who are sip-noriod lw 'itcl’oll fowls and Robert Obor. Tod •■rownin". the di-octnr and of 'ids picture, will Ko rememho’-oA lomllv i, v h's wnn-'ovfnl direction of “The Unholy Three.” shown recently. ARTCPAFT TIfPITPU The final screening of th P fine adventure story, by the world-famed Harold

801 l Wright, entitled "The Mine with the Iron Door,” will take place this evening. This thsilling picture is enacted among tlie Catalina Mountains, in Arizona, and the leading parts are taken by Pat O’Mallev, Charles Murray, Mary Carr, Mitchell Lewis, and ■t her well known stars. The comedy is excellent, and the gazette very interesting. James Haydock’s music is delightful and appropriate. Commencing to-morrow, tor a three nights’ and one matinee season only., is t lie thrilling and delightful picture “The Mailman," which is said to place, in the right manner, on the screen, for lie first time, the stupendous dramatisation of the postmen's lives—their careers, their hopes and ambitions—all merged and interwoven amid the throbbing threads of a great love story. It is described as a picture that '■“'iinot fail to please both young and • d, and it will be screened at the mat.nee also on Saturday.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Centring about the great rush for land claims in the Cherokee Land Strip between Kansas: and Oklahoma in 1889. "Tumbleweeds.” which is at present drawing good attendances to the Queen’s Theatre, affords William S. Hart an ideal role as D<;n Carver, a “tumbleweed”—a roving cowboy and range l>ost> of the Box K Range. Lovable, fearless, quick to fight in defence of the distressed or in vindication of his idea of honour; strong in his love, and imbued with the true spirit of the West—-he moves, a powerful and commanding figure, through the drama. There is plenty of comedy, but over all broods that spirit of bigness, the dust of the wagon wheels that presages the incoming of the homo seekers. There are several -cry acceptable supports.

BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND. Mr. F. E. Tomlinson, photographer, is shortly to embark on a. trip overseas with the object of advertising New Zea'and ns n tourist resort. In order to give Wellington people an opportunity nf witnessing the quality of the films he will show abroad. Mr. Tomlinson screen•i beautiful films of New Zealand, Samoa, and the Fiji Islands at the Concert hamber ’ast evening. These films give an excellent gHmpc* <»f th* .scenic beauties of the Dominion, and its dependencies. the industries of the Pacific Islands also being dealt with in a mo» Informative manner. The pictures dealing with New Zealand came from the Government Publicity Office, while tho

island films had been taken by Mr. Tominson’s cameras. Th* pictuies shoul serve as an excellent advertisement lor the "Brighter Britain of the South. The second part of the programme con,isted of a nicely-varied concert programme. A pianoforte solo was pleasnglv contributed by Miss Sneddon songs were sung by Mrs. Savage and Messrs. Dew and Hunt, and recitations wore giveu by Miss Farrant and Mr. V. Oswin. Mrs. Aldridge acted as accornpanist. _