ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

QUEEN'S TREATRE.

"The biggest.star in,the camera firmament," is what the Critics called Mary, Philbin, after witnessing her performance in "Merry-Go-Round," now showing at the Queen's Theatre. The part of the hero, a high-born Austrian count, is taken by Mr. Norman Kerry, one of the most finished actors of the day. The Universal Super-Jewel spectacle feature, which was in the making for many months, tells of the love between a peasant girl.of the Prater, the famous Coney Island district of Vienna, Austria, and a young count of the.Emperor's staff. With the nobility a thing of the past, and with nothing else to turn to in an effort to secure food enough to keep from starving, this former noble, ■whose knowledge and training had to do with war, was only fitted for menial work. Truth is stranger than fiction, yet this exact conditions of affairs was foreseen when Universal began the filming of 'Merry-Go-Round." An excellent supporting' programme will be shown, while the usual high standard musical programme will be rendered by the Queen's Grand Orchestra. The box plan is at Th,e Bristol.

"TO THE LAST MAN."

Not a motion picture based on a story, but a photodrama which actually breathes tha spirit of the original tale and personality of the author, is Paramount's new picture, "To, the Last Man,", a' Zane Grey production coming to the Queen's Theatre nest Friday. Mr. Grey spent several summers winning the confidence of the inhabitants of the Tonto Basin, Arizona, from whom he learned the story of the famous PleasantValley war, a feud which was fought ont literally to ;"the ..last man.*' Gaston Isbel, leader of the cattlemen a,nd Lees Jorth, leader of the sheep men 'are old enemies. Both have come to the Tonto Basin,from Texas with their sympathisers. Knowing that a fight is coming Gaston sends for his son, Jean-, who*is a trapper. Meeting , Ellen, •_ Jorth's daughter, on his way to the valley, Jean falls in love with her. By an ambush all the Isbels except Jean are wiped out. Jean carries oh the fight single-handed. He kills the last of the Jorth sympathisers and ends by marrying Ellen. Thus the feud is ended. This is the first of , Mr. Grey's novels to be made into a picture under his new contract. with Paramount. Lois "Wilson, Kichr.rd Dix, Prank ■Campeau, Robert Ede^rJ, and Noah Beery are the principal players. The supporting films include the latest gazettes. Paramount comedy, and Bnrton Holmes TraveVogue, while the re-cently-increased Queen's Grand Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. A. H. Jerome, will, render a specially-selected programme of incidental music. The box plan will open,at The Bristol on Wednesday. ■':'■'

PRINCESS THEATRE.

As the heroine of the story of "Dark Secrets," her latest Paramount picture, showing at the Princess Theatre to-day, Hiss Dalton falls from a big Bedouin horse, Untamable, that she is riding at a horse show. Miss Dalton, as Ruth Ruth-, erford, is thrown and seriously injured. The ensuing scenes showing Ruth's cure Vy an Egyptian surgeon,. Mohamed Ali, ■which provoke a thrilling tragedy, make up an interesting, evening's entertainment. The second feature on the programme', "Youth to Youth," is an interesting and well-staged story,of an actless, a millionaire and a young man Ti-ho loves her.' -^ The remaining films are pf exceptional merit. .. ." ..,' . '

OUR' THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

"The Printer's Devil," Wesley Barry's latest starring "vehicle, is a romance set in;..a'-.small-town . newspaper. As the devil, is said never to rest,, so .he,-as the: printer's devil/ never lets up, but starts' a new prank each time the old one is done. It is a Warner Brothers' classic of the screen,.and will be the feature attraction at Our Theatre to-night. The supports are excellent.

STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Violet Hopson is the star in "Kissing Cup's Race," the great racing picture, which occupies the leading position on tonight's programme at the Star Theatre, Newtown. The story is a startling one ■which deals with the /Turf, in which a nice is to provide a fortune and a wife. The star "is supported by. Gregory Scott and a cast specially selected. The remaining pictures on the programme are also excellent.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL, BAY.

There is a special programme'showing &t; the Seaside Pictures to-night. The first attraction is "Suds," featuring Mary Pickford in her greatest comedy achievement. The second picture is a Christie comedy', "The Son of \i Sheik." There is also a good supporting programme.

STRAND THEATRE.

The great faith' -which a dog held in his master," and the manner, in which it decided the destinies of a man and woman, is the theme in "Where the North Begins," the star attraction now showing at the Strand Theatre. Rin-Tin-Tin, the famous' police dog, ie the canin v star, who becomes friends with Gabrielle Dupre under dramatic circumstances. The scenes are placed in the snow-covered wastes of America, in the lumber camps and silent woods. Rin-Tip-Tin is a prince of dogs, and ' all lovers of animals will enjoy this picture. Claire Adams and Walter M'Grail are in the leading human roles. The story of "Pilgrims of the Night," by Phillip Oppehheim, -concerns itself witl'i the adventures growing out of jfche ■ theft of1 '•^OOO.OOO francs from the French subtreasury, and its subsequent disappearance from the place where the leader of the criminal band had hidden it: The cast includes Lewis Stone,/Rubye de Reiner, and William T. Mong. The supports are good.

BROOKLYN PICTURES.

A Fox picture entitled "Truxton King," with John Gilbert in tho title role,. will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre to-night. The star establishes a new standard in screen portrayal, and the drama is both exciting and entertaining. -

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

Wallace Reid's admirers will see him at.the Artcraft'Theatre to-night in the role of a care-free adventurer who takes a leading part in a revolution. Lila Lee and other stars' are in tbe cast. The Gazette is an excellent number, containing yacht-racing, views. A good Travelogue nd a comedy complete a diversified bill, all to a pleasing orchestral accompaniment. Seats may be reserved by ringing the theatre.

HOBBIES' DISPLAY.

After a most successf uj season the Hobbies' Exhibition at the V.M.C.A. Gymnasium closes to-night. This will be the last opportunity of seeing this most interesting collection of models of all kinds.

Kilbirnie Palais de Danse held an enjoyable Welcome Week carnival last Wednesday, and is continuing its efforts to-night to add to Wellington's festival. Visitors and -patrons are promised the very best hi ihuaic, dancing, and catering-

EMPRESS THEATRE.

There commenced at the Empress Theatre yesterday a drama full of incident and thrills—"The Girl of the Golden West." Sylvia Breainer, a dainty Australian actress, heads a superb cast, playing opposite her being Russell Simpson as the sheriff,. and J. Warren Kerrigan as the gambler whom she loves. Set in the early days of the nineteenth century in America, it is a powerful tale of a woman's conquering love breaking down all barriers. The woman even plays cards with the sheriff for her lover's life. The tension of the play is well sustained through exciting camp and gambling saloon scenes, characterise of the boom times of America's trolden West. The scenery is magnificent, and the acting and photography faultless. The love story is quaint in its novelty, and the frocking- is likewise quaint in its originality. There is plenty of dramatic effect, particularly in the scene where the girl plays cards with her lover s life at stake, 'The incidental music is from Puccini and other masters; the orchestra, under Mr. M. JJixon. features Suppe's overture, "Paragraph 3,"and Mr. Charles Moore, a-bari-tone with a delightful voice,- sings several appropriate songs. Supports in the pictorial line .include a topical news series^ and a Mermaid comedy, "Hi-'h Jjife. The programme will be repeated to-night. r •

- PARAMOUNT THEATRE

That the fame of Long Tack Sam and lus of Chinese wonder-workers is thoroughly justified was proved by the really first-class performance which they gave at the Paramount Theatre last evening. .The beauty of the scene—silk's and satins and lovely colours—is astonishing and when to this is added skill of the highest order, it is no wonder that this marvellous company has achieved success. The performance of Long Tack bam and the men and women from China embraces almost every phase of mysterious Chinese art, coupled with ah amazing series of acrobatic and gymnastic teats. lon Tack / Sam, himself a great artist, has a delightful stage personality, that presents an entirely new side of the- Oriental to us. His genial manner and remarkable showmanship contribute to the success attendant on the performance. Two charming little Chinese maids, daughters of Long Tack Sam, have mastered the intricacies of stage dancing to a degree that surprises and delights. The reception of the talented company was moat enthusiastic, and at the conclusion they were,cheered and recalled again and again. Supporting the Chinese stars is a fine Tom Mix picture from Zarie Grey's famous novel, "The Lone Star Ranger." The box plans, for the season are now open at the Utility, adjoining the theatre, or seats may be reserved by phoning the theatre. .

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

A French play presented by a company of unusual excellence now occupies pride of place at Shortt's Theatre. Not only are all the members of the company thoroughly trained, but the scenery 38 both genuine and charming. Mme. Rejane.'who has been acknowledged as one of the greatest actresses France has ever produced, and "who died since the picture was released, occupies the role of the old gypsy, Romany Kate. m "Gypsy Passion." Miarka, a young girl, according to Romany Kate, is to marry the chief of all the gypsies, xhe old lady discovering, that Miarka is in love with the master's nephew takes her away, but he is really the king of all the gypsies. The star'is sup, ported by Desdemona Mazza, Jean Richepin, and Ivor Novello. Included in the programme are. a,, Pathe Gazette' and RevieWj a- scenic, and a two-reel comedy.''

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

The new programme at Everybody's Theatre last evening .was headed by an amusing; photo-play entitled "The Printer's Devil," in which the inimitable Wesley Barry (better known as "Freckles") is , seen in the title role. Wesley receives the important post of devil' on a small country newspaper, 'The Briggsville Gazette," which is. suffering from a deficiency in its -circulation. The advent of "Freckles" makes all the difference in the world, and he does not stop at mixing, with some effect, in the- editorial side of the business. He proves to be a real live wire, and before very1 long the paper improves beyond, the fondest hopes of its proprietor Outside the office Wesley also makes things move along, and is largely responsible in bringing his boss's love atlair to a successful conclusion. His methods are novel to a degree, and the whole story goes to make a delightful comedy The main picture is supported by excellent minor films, and an added attraction, and by no mean*, the least, is the programme of music played -by Harry Averts Jazz Band, which -is heard thw week m a speciality number, "Wye Got To See Mama."

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

Tom Mix and "Tony," - his wonder horse appear at the Britannia Theatre 10-mgnt in the screen version of "The .Lone Star Ranger" a popular narrative horn the pen of 2ane Grey. It is the story of the life of the daring Texas Hangers who went out "to get their man' . despite ■. hazard and obstacle Ihere is not a dull moment in the unravelling of the romantic story of love adventure and. the life of the Texas gangers who kept the peace of the Lone Star State. Assisted by T ony t])e brightest horse ever seen in motion pictures. Mix ambles through a series of thrilling sequences. Billie Dove i 6 the feminine, lend. Her support is flaw! less. The picture'was directed and the scenario written by Lambert Hillyer the well-known -director recently acquired by the Fox .staff. The supports are good. . . r!

HIS 'MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Lovers ot vaudeville have a final op-' poutumty of witnessing the current programme at His Majesty's Thearte, which IB to; be presented for the last time this ZtTf .A de«Bht*ul musical comedy entitled 'The Bandit" i s staged by Con Moreni's talented revue company, whose efforts m the past have met with such approval from all theatregoer's' Other artists on the bill are Nat Hanley, Lea Warton, Fred Bluett and Will Hastings. A complete change is announced for Monday *-u<™ o e

WIRTH'S CIRCUS.

TO^fi ai"o at . b,° th Pwfwnancca yesterday Wirth Bros' .big tent was crowded The menagerie, which consists of a large herd of elephants, a warthog, leopards, ponies lions, and a baby monkey, was a l,i c at traction The Flying Uuyth provide mimerous thrills, and Evni-s arld p e ? ei , present a clever •hand-baLiricinn; tun, ■,l.ittfe Prince Guiseppe Bignoli still continues to delight the audiences with his equestrian tricks, and* another clever act is the basket ball match on bicycles by the Hughes family. To-night will be the last opportunity afforded those desirous of seeing this wonderful show.

To-night's carnival at the Ambassador will be a lilting climax to the week's festivities. My. Sammy Cope will" bo heard in some new syncopations, and all-. Charles Parnell has arranger! many new numbers wliirii have not previously beeu heaid in New Z.-a-kud.

| KING'S THEATRE.

A simple story of American home life, entitled ■'Remembrance," is the main attraction on the new programme which commenced a season at the King's Theatre last evening. Tuken from a story by Rupert Huglies, this picture, which was made under the author's direction, has an all-star cast, including Claude Gillingwater, Patsy Ruth Wilier, and Cullen Landis. .It- is a. delightful photopiay of the ups and downs of a well-to-do business man, upon whose banking account his children, when in need of money desire to draw. "Pop" Grant the head of the family, and the manager of a big commercial store, risen from a humble beginning, still remembers his old surroundings, though his wife and family do their utmost to drive the memories of the old life from him. Pop-s clerk falls in love with the manager s daughter, but when it becomes known Pop's wife is the cause of the clerk s dismissal. Unknown to his wife, Pop agrees to set" up his future son-in-law m business," but beforo he can accomplish it Pop has- a breakdown. As a result of his sickness the family recognise how selfishly they have treated their father, and tile lesson they learn cures them of their "spendii.f." The supporting programme includes the' million dollar baby star, "Baby Pe^y," i n a comedy entitled "Carmen Junior," and as an added attraction Miss Elsie Kell is heard in choice vocal numbers. An International News" i s also shown. Ilis Jung s ■ Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. L. D. Austin, contributes to the success of the evening with the overture "The Merry Wives of Windsor (Micolai), and other musical selections, amongst.which is included "Chanson Romantique" (Tschaikowski)