ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 76, 30 March 1926, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The plot of "Thunder Mountain," now scrawling at the Queen's Theatre each day revolves around the lovo affair of n circus waif and an idealistic mountain lad, whose life ambition is to improve tho manners oi his people and to make them realise that their existence means something more than eternal feuds and evasion of the law. Madge Bellamy and Leslie Fenton have the leading roles, and there is a strong supporting cast. The latest Fox News, a beautiful scenic, and a good comedy are alsb on the bill, while the Queen's Select Orchestra under Miss Dennehy, renders delightful incidental music. A special Easter week attraction is announced by the management of the Queen's Theatre, being none other than the famous "White Sister," the return season of which, for one week only, will commence on Friday. Lillian Gish, whose ethereal beauty and marvellous portrayals have earned for her a place that is easily in the forefront of screen characterisation, makes a profound impression. The story is beautifully told, 'and is fascinating from its commencement. There are fine settings providing picturesque locales and backgrounds, which are pleasing to the eye and incidental to the story. A gorgeous prologue will provide a fascinating adjunct to the drama. A special musical programme by the Queen's Select Orchestra, under the leadership of Miss E. Dennehy, is a special feature. KING'S THEATRE. The Prince of Wales loaned his beautiful •ranch to Universal Pictures Corporation during their filming of some of the big sequences in "The Calgary Stampede," now screening at the King's Theatre, while the Canadian Government and the mounted police rendered valuable _ assistance. The annual rodeo championships form the basis of this virile production. A brilliant .cast ol players is to bo seen in tho various roles including "Ed." Gibson, Virginia Browr Faire, and other fine players. An, excellenl supporting programme is also included which, together with the-principal feature, i; greatly enhanced by a brilliant score of incidental music by the King's Select Orchestra. Jackie Coogan has gone right ahead making new friends with every new picture, until to-day it is- estimated that he is the _ most popular figure on the screen, an estimation that is considerably enhanc ed by his latest and greatest picture, "The Rag Man," which appears at the King's Theatre on Friday night, matinees being held daily, at 2.30 (except Good Friday) The storm of applause it won at each ol the trade screenings Metro-Goldwyn held in the capital cities of the Commonwealth and New Zealand was but an echo of • the way in which it has been received in Eur ope and America. A carefully-selected sup porting cast-includes America's finest de lineator of the Jewish character, Mas Davidson. A special musical score is tc accompany.the screening. The box plan is available at The Bristol until 5.30 dailyafter at the theatre.. DE LUXE THEATRE. The cast of. "Wild- Horse Mesa," nov showing each evening at tho De Luxe Thea tre, includes-some of the screen's most popu lar actors. Jack Holt fills the role of hero, i hard-riding horse dealer, and opposite him plays Miss Billie Dove, one of the mosl beautiful of Western story actresses. Noah Beery takes the part of the villain, and does so with his usual verve for this class of character. "Wild Horse Mesa" was written by Zane Grey, than whom there is no more popular writer of Wes^rrj tales, and who, on this occasion, has written entirely to the public taste. The programme, includes a gazette, in which many subjects- of topical importance are shown, and another series of Stereoscopiks. Mr. L. D. Austin's orchestra plays a fine selection of music. The box plan is at The Bristol, or ring the theatre. "As No Man Has Loved," adapted from Edward Hales's story, "The Man Without a Country," is at the lead of the holiday programme screening at the De Luxe on Friday for the first time. Of the countless pictured stories transferred from fiction pages or history records, this masterpiece is one of the most compelling. The storm scenes,'in which the gallant old, frigate, Essex, battled, is a thrilling spectacle. As the? ship rolls and plunges through the mountainous waves, while Nolan and the sailors struggle to Control a cannon that has broken its lashings and threatens to destroy the ship, the onlookers find thrills 'pursuing one another. It is one of the greatest love stories ever pictured, and it deals with a -man's love for his nation and home and of a woman's love fpr, a man. In addition, by special engagement, the renowned baritone, Mr. C. O'Hagan, will nightly render choice baritone songs. A big supporting programme has also been arranged, whilst Mr. Austin 'has specially selected a musical programme of rare beauty for the Orchestra De Luxe. The box plans are now open at The Bristol^ Aitkcn's Book Arcade, or ring the theatre.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Fred Thomson, the famous athlete, has the leading role in the Master picture, "That Devil Quemado," screening each evening at the Empress Theatre. It is a, story of a hill bandit who robs the rich to help the poor; in short, a modern Robin Hood. Throughout this splendid picture Thomson's famous horse, Silver King plays a notable part. Betty Bronson: and Ricardo -Cortez are well cast in "Not So Long Ago," a story of the New York of a few years back, when life was niore picturesque and romantic than it is to-day. There are humour and quaintness in pelnty. There is a good supporting programme, including a comedy and, a Rathe Gazette, while a special musical score is rendered by the Empress Distinctive Orchestra under the baton of Mr. M. T. Dixon. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Kings of the Turf," in which some of the world's leading racehorses take a leading part, is showing each day this week at Shortt's Theatre. Among the equine players are such great names as Man-o'-war, Morvich, Negofol, Fairplay, Confederate, and many others. There is a big supporting programme, including two comedies, scenies, and a Topical Gazette. A special matinee will take place to-morrow afternoon. BRITANNIA THEATRE. George Larkin appears in a thrilling outdoor picture, "The Tango Cavalier," now showing at the Britannia Theatre daily. The other attraction is First National's latest masterpiece, "The Dark Angel." # At the hands of Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky it has received wonderful treatment. There is a gripping climax to the story. A splendid supporting programme includes a Gaumont Graphic, a scenic, and a "Felix the Cat" cartoon. STRAND THEATRE. Nazimova and Lou Tellegen are the stars in "The Redeeming' Sin," now showing each day at the Strand Theatre. This story concerns the adventures of a gang of Parisian apaches, their loves, hates, and feuds. Cullen Landis and Jacqueline Logan have the chief parts in "Peacock Feathers," the second feature. There will be a fine range of supporting subjects and the whole programme should make really fine entertainment.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Earle Williams, Renee Adoree, Pat O'Malley and Barbara La. Marr are the featured players in "The Eternal Struggle," showing each day this week at the New Princess Theatre. The second feature, "No More Women," is a comedy-drama, featuring Matt Moore and Madge Bellamy. The remaining portion of tho programme, includes the final story of the "Leather Pushers," featuring Reginald Denny. The Shingle.Contest has started in earnest, and No. 1 group is being presented each night. Judging will be by popular vote, and special voting slips will be handed to each patron. Another novelty connected with the contest is the presentation of a masked lady.- A valuable prize will be awarded to the first person who detects her. .

QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. To-night's programme at the Quality Theatre is United Artists' latest Mary Pickford masterpiece, "Little Annie Rooney." Comedy and pathos vie with each other in the story.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN, The battle of love against riches is one of the well-treated incidents in "Peacock Feathers," a Universal-Jewel which is to be screened at Our Theatre to-night. Jacqueline Logan and Cullen Landis arc the sU"s. The supports are good, and the musical,items of Our Orchestra well rendered.-

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. The attraction at the Seaside Theatre to-night is "The Sporting Venus," fea- - turing Ronald Cohnan and Blanche Sweet. The supports are good.

WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC COMPANY. At The Bristol to-morrow morning the box plans will be opened for the six evening performances cf the thrilling drama of the Parisian slums, "Seventh Heaven, which is to be produced for the first, time in New Zealand or Australia at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night (Easter Saturday). The plans will also be opened for- the holiday matinee, which takes place on Easter Monday afternoon. _ The -occasion will present i'or the first time the brilliant young French actress, Miss Remy Carpen, who was engaged specially in New York-to portray, the character of the slum waif, Diane, and it will alsp signalise tho reappearance here of the very popular actor, Mr. Frank Harvey. ."Seventh. Heaven," which was written by Mr. Austen Strong (son-in-law of the late Robert Louis Stevenson), has had an extraordinary success in America fpr the past two years. It will be presented here with a very strong cast. The plot of the play shows the gradual development pf the hero's character through his association with that of the v little slum girl, Diane, who, despite her environment, rises superior to.all her troubles, and wins happiness for them both. The company supporting Mr. Harvey and Miss Carpen is a particularly strong one, including some of the. best known artists who have ever appeared in New Zealand. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Mystery, tragedy, and well-balanced comedy are to be found-in "Secrets of the Night," at the Artcraft Theatre ■ this evening. James Kirkwood and Madge; Bellamy have the feature roles. The leading comedy roles are in the hands of Zazu Pitt's, Tom Wilson, and Otto Hoffman. There is also a news and a comedy, and special music by James Haydock. The entr'acte to-night will be "Daiise dcs Fantomes." PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Palm Beach provides the setting for Gloria Swanson's latest picture, "The Coast of Folly," now screening at the Paramount Theatre each evening. It depicts the gay: ness of the life enjoyed by the idle rich, and tells of a young girl who runs aground on the _ rocks of scandal. The dominant theme is one- of mother-love and its capability for self-sacrifice, and the drajnatic crisis in the novel have been given masterly treatment by Miss Swanson and a strong cast. , Supports include one of the amusing "Hodge-Podge" features, an hilarious Mermaid comedy, entitled "Beware," and a Gaumont Graphic- Excellent incidental miisio is provided by the Paramount Solo Orchestra of ten, which plays as an overture Suppe's "Jolly Robbers," and as an entr'acte the "Pilgrims' Chorus" from "Tannhauser."

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Mirth and music, with some delightful dancing, are skilfully blended in the Phil Smith Revue Company's musical comedy, "Just a Girl," which- met with the approval of a "bumper" house at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. As the story goes, John .Henry has promised Blossom, the colonel's daughter, never to gamble or use slang,' but he at length succumbs to the wiles of Biff, a tipster, whose choice of slang words is varied and unlimited. When the colonel is hard-pressed for ' money. John comes to the rescue, but Blossom rejects him for his broken promise, and Biff is left to bring the two together again. This he does to the satisfaction of all concerned, but not before he has created many hilarious situations. Phil Smith lives the >part of Biff, and his antics and good humour, are responsible for many a round of laughter. His dialogue with KTat Hanley, who plays the sympathetic sailor to his seasick passenger, is a gem of merriment, as is his playing of an invisible banjo with the .assistance of William Greene. The comedy element is well sustained by Phyllis Nicholson, Nelle Dean, Peggy Peate, Charles Megan, and Robert Raymond, while the Smiling Six and Mildred O'Brien are seen in some charming dances. Newcomers on the supporting vaudeville bill are the Carthy Bros., "just a couple of Pommies," with a breezy style which finds favour with, the audience at once. : Their skit, "It Pays to-Advertise," is new and bright. Lesley Elliott.has nothing new in:songs to offer, but she has a way with her which "puts the things; over" as well as ever. Fresh vaudeville novelties as presented by Wendling and Molloy provide good entertainment, and Wee Willie Lancet establishes _i™?,?! f, at once witn the audience in Willies Birthday," a most entertaining sketch. There is the usual bright orchestral music.

■.-■'■ TIVOLI THEATRE. Joseph Hocking's "Prodigal Daughters," which stars Gloria Swanson, is now screening each evening at the Tivoli Theatre. The star wears some glorious creations, such as have made her tlie envy of both players and public. In the second feature, "The Alaskan," which is ' from the pen of James Oliver Curwood, Thomas Meighan acts in a great story of the snowlands, where might often prevails-to the disadvantage of right. The supporting.films have been very carefully chosen, and include a varied collection of interesting subjects. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.-To-night's programme at the Empire Theatre, Island Bay, includes as its main feature "Durand of the Bad Lands," a tale of the great open spaces. Buck Jones takes the part of the outlaw and is supported by Marian Nixon. Patrons are reminded that for two nights only, commencing to-morrow, "He AVho Gets Slapped" (with Lon Chancy in. the leading role) will be screened.