ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 17, 15 October 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. “Stella Dallas, - ’ the great United Artists screen version of Mrs. Uline Higgins Proutv’s widely-read story, is the attraction which will commence at the New Princess Theatre to-day. Stella Dallas" on the screen is an exact i ictorial translation of the novel, according to the producer. It unfolds a story of a typical American girl, in whose heart tumult rages and seeks romantic expression. Stella's love-life, her rise to the heights and her fall to the depths, is full of emotional climaxes. Plenty of laughter intersperses the action, while youth and benutv it is said conspire to make of “Stella Dallas" a production which not only plumbs the feelings :nd lifts the spirit high, but in its thrilling progress, a brand' of entertainment is unfolded that for sheer unalloyed pleasure has seldom been equalled on the screen. A cast that admirably fits the author’s conception has been selected with rare en.ro and discrimination to interpret the characters that are known to the millions wiio have cither read tho novel or seen the play. Belle Bennett, chosen as the seventy-third candidate for the rolo, plays Stella. Ronald Colman, romantie and manly, plavs Stephen Dallas. Alice Jovce, gracious and refined, plays Mrs. Morrison Jean Hersholt. the great character actor, plays Ed Munn, the wisecracking. show-off riding , master. Lois Moran, the child wonder, is the strange and beautiful Laurel, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as a child of the block, plays the care-free collegian. Richard Grosvenor. There will also be an excellent supporting programme. The New Princess Theatre is continuous from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The management of the Paramount Theatre have decided to extend the season of "Nell Gwyn" for six more days and nights, commencing to-day, bnt announce that the season will definitely close next Thursday night. "The whole world can enjoy it/’ ‘/P’ 8 . paily Mail” of “Ndl Gwyn. Herbert Wilcox b great British-National production, with Dorothy Gish in the title role. The intriguing romance of the- famous Drury Lane orange girl who found favour with the king. "Nell Gwyn” is destined to prove to lie a leading British picture of the year The “Sunday Pictorial says: "The new First National picture id Nell Gwyn, the best directed, tho best acted, and the best dressed dim yet made in England is an entertairiment n every foot of its length. Its entertainment value is its greatest merit, since -hat is what, the public will most appreciate. Miss Gish gave a profoundly womanly and alluring study of tho gay. unforgettable orange girl.” The “Daily a! ' A e " marks that the "Old Powley of Mr. Handle Ayrton was excellent, easy, and gracious while Juliette Compton as the liard. handsome Lady Castlemaine, gave another vivid character study. Here, indeed was a generously produced, perfectly photographed, and brilliantly acted English film, which the whole world can enjoy. A complete change of supporting subjects will be screened. Miss Katlv Icon O'Brien will present an entirely new prologue each night, and at the hatuidiv matinee. featuring Hazel Martin as Nell Gwvn iu her enormous hat. 1 lie boxplan is'at the Utility stationery shop, next to the theatre.

"WHITE CARGO." Heavy bookings were made at the Bristol yesterday when the box plans for the Wellington season of the drama white Cargo" were opened. Through the North Island Ml*. Leon Gordon’s company has been playing to large audiences, despite storms and floods, and return seasons have already been requested tn Auckland and some of the smaller centres. Mr. Gordon has assembled an * cellent cast for his Australian and Now Zealand tour. The author himself is said to make a compelling character in lhe role of witzel, likeable in spite of his sneering cynicism. He is by no means a hero in the ordinary dramatic sense of the word. In fact, at times, the audience finds itself heartily disliking the character of the "hero." However.' lhe west Coast of Africa with . its pitiless sun, feverridden jungles, and dripping moist heat, is not the place where men can be ex, peered to behave normally. The loneliness and terrible monotony of such surroundings can hardly fail to have a demoralising effect on men forced to live far beyond the reach cf tivihsing influence. The story revolves around the downfall of a young Englishman named Langford, a newcomer to tho settlement. Hating Witzel for his cynical prophesies, Langford makes a brave effort to. Keep white,” but gradually the devastating influence of the place begins to take effect. He becomes moody and irritable, and before long succumbs to the wiles of Toudale.vo, who offers to ’ive with him. Obsessed by a desire to refute Witzel s prophesies, 'he insists on marrying the girl. Tondaleyo does not understand the meaning of marriage, and her faithlessness and Witzel’s revenge provide the climax. DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Wanderer," a Paramount version of the famous story of the Prodigal Son, is the. feature which will commence at the D> Luxe Theatre to-day. Jether, son of Jesse, patriarch of Helron. grows tired of tho monotony of pastoral life, and the chiding of his brother Gaal. An ambition is born in him to see the great city beyond the hills, and despite the entreaties of his mother Ilnld3.li, and tho maid Naomi, he leaves for the city where he falls into the toils of Tisha, a beautiful priestess. and Tola, a dissipated spendthrift His money squandered, Tisha transfers her affections to Pharis, a giant sea captain. After many tribulations in a land of famine, the . prodigal returns home. • and is forgiven by Ins father. One of the most striking features is the destruction of Babylon. Amid the flash of lightning and fury of storm, the entire citv is brought, to ruin, through fire, storm an .(earthquake. Ernest Torrence, Greta Nissen, William Collier inr., Wallace Beery, Knthrvn Hill Tyrone Bower, George Higas, and Kathlyn XV Illiums. head the powerful cast. A special score of music is promised. EMPRESS THEATRE. There arc three tcatures in the programme which is to commence at the Empress Theatre to-day. Adolphe Meniou will be seen in "A Social Celebrity.’ “Tho Limited Mall” boasts ami all-star cast, and kt. the night session there will be a unique tone test when Signor Preboni Hanson, tho celebrated Danish tenor, will be heard in a tone test versus the now producing Sonora gramophone. Adolphe Mcnjon appears as a. barber in "A Social Celebrity,” Ins latest Paramount picture. Ab Max Maher, bo decider that as the opportunities of his small town are so limited he may as well be in a big city. Arriving there, the only job be can got is that of an assistant barber in the shop of an hotel. And in that von have the beginning_of Adolnhe Monjou's new picture. “The Limited Mail” is a virile story of the Colorado mountains, telling a delightful romance qf an engineer and waitress. There is a 'particularly strong cast m tine picture. In the tone test Signor Preboni Hanson will alternately sing with a. Sonora, gramophone. This allriiction will he given ill a darkened stage, and the audience is expected to have difficulty in deciding Just where Signor Hanson is singing ami where the gramophone takes up his various songs. STRAND THEATRE "Cobra,” starring Rudolph Valentino, which has been shown to crowded houses at the Empress, has been traJisfcrred to

the Strand Theatre for its fiun! week in Wellington. The supporting feature will be "Reveille,” a British Master picture, starring Betty Balfour "Lobra is an ideal vehicle tor Rudolph Valentino. It. gives him an opportunity to make love to fight, to suffer, and to win the hearts of his admirers on and off the screen. There is a depth of sincerity about tho star's acting which lilts him out of the matinee idol class into the category of the screen's great artists. It is a, modern story of strong love and sacrifice. In "Reveille’’ Betty Balfour has a delightful part as a little cockney girl with her "boy" at the front. It is a serious picture, but it is stated that, a-t the same time there is some delightful humour running through it. KING'S 'THEATRE. A Motro-Goldwyn picture will commence a week's season with to-night’s screening at the King’s Theatre. It is "Soul Mates," an adaptation of the famous romance by Elinor Glyn. It. is said to be tho best Elinor Glyu story yet brought to the screen. It is essentially a love story invested with subtle comedy. The story tells of a beautiful English girl, forced into a marriage with a man whom she really loves, but thinks is only marrying her for her money. Aileen Pringle’s greatest asset is her intelligence. She is tho very essence of sophistication, j'et loses noue of her femininity. Edmund Lowe, who is cast as an English nobleman, pursues her through the whole story in au effort to break down her resistance. Lucien Littlefield as the valet, can be counted on for a laugh at every appearance. A gazette, comedy, screen snapshots, and a New Zealand scenic arc further additions to tho hill, and the King’s orchestral will supply the music. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Last night His Majesty’s Theatre was again crowded, when Irving’s Imperial Midgets, a company of tiny adult ladies and gentlemen entertainers, and the. Chefalo Palermo Company of conjurors and illusionists, made their appearance under the direction of Messrs. Ralph Palermo and Irving. The midgets prove themselves to be adopt variety artists, and figure in a wide range of "turns.” including "The March of the. Wooden Soldiers," a Dutch song and dance "double,’’ a burlesque wrestling match, and a Charleston dance. Chefalo proves himself a pastmaster as a, magician, his dexterous conjuring, and his merry patter keeping Ills audience, thoroughly entertained. His tricks include a host rd new ideas, and his act is elaborately staged. Chefalo is assisted hv Magdalena Palermo in several baffling illusions. For more than an hour Chefalo provides mystery after mystery, each of which nover fails to draw hearty plaudits. There will be a matineo to-morrow. ARTCHAFT THEATRE. Picture-goers are reminded that, the world-famous picture. "The Sheik,” starring tho favourite Rudolph Valentino, will commence «i season to-night nt the Art* craft, Theatre. It will he shown for three nights and one special matinee tomorrow. It is generally recognised as Iming one of the finest Eastern stories ever filmed, the role'of the sheik being wonderfully portrayed by the late Rudolph Valentino. Playing opposite him is the well known actress, Agues Ayres. As this is to be the last howing of the film In Welliugtou. very largo houses are anticipated. A special feature will be

the musical accompaniment by James Haydock, which should greatly enhance the screenings. Three ether pictures complete the bill. QUEEN’S THHATBE. Another attractive "action picture will be shown at the Queen’s Theatre commencing with to-night’s screening A Man Four Square,” starring Liftk Jones. It is said that in this production Jones doos harder riding and fighting than an any of his former photoplays. Buck Jones is an ideal type to portray the role that he is entrusted with, being equally at home in the “wild West" or in the drawing room. Such versatility should stand him in good stead in "A Man Four S qua re.” A capable cast is ui support of the principal artist, and the settings and backgrounds are stated to be beautiful and effective. A large and judiciously selected supporting programme is a further feature. A special children’s matinee will take place tomorrow at 2.30. The box plan is at the Bristol, until 5.30 daily (noon on Saturdays). The theatre telephone. No. 22—334, is also available, for bookings. At the conclusion of its present tour at Invercargill next month, the Gilbert and Sullivan opera company is to make a return tour through New Zealand, playing at Oamaru, Tima.ru, Christchurch, and then going to Auckland, whence it will journey to Gisborne and Napier. The return season here win be from December 11 to 16. The company will sail from here to Sydney by the Ulimaroa on December 17.