ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 398, 12 August 1921, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROSY. ■ ♦ “AN AMATEUR DEVIL.” Bryant Washburn has scored another bull’s eye in his delightful now Paramount comedy, “Ah Amateur Devil.” which was presented before an enthusiastic audience at the Rosy Theatre yesterday. Mr Washburn has the role of Carver Endicott, a young wealthy society man whose peplqss wooing is resented by his sweetheart. To wake him up she terminates their engagement and pretends she is going to marry his father, a gay-widower. Then Carver decides to disgrace his father by going to work on a farm, and then in a'hotel kitchen. This does not work as the sequel proves, and finally lie makes up with his sweetheart, who, it is evident, has no further complaint ro make. A good comedy, “Mr Fatima,” chapter 13 of “Eddie Polo’s Circus,” a pictograpfi and rnngazitio, make a great week-end programme. PALACE. I “DINTY.” _ One of flie best attractions of a decade at the Palace Theatre is “Dinty,” in which Wesley Harry, the freckle-faced boy actor, is soon in the first starring vehicle of his youthful career. It is the tale of a fighting newsboy, who has an old Irish mother to support. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the locale for some of the scenes, and it is replete with dramatic as well ns amusing incidents! Romance, pathos, humour and thrilling adventure make ihis one of the most extraordinary cinema productions over filmed. Wesley Parry’s smile, freckles and inimitable acting made himfamous in “Daddy Long Legs" with Msry Pickforcl, but bis crowning achievement has undoubtedly been made in “Dinty.” ‘ ‘ lIU MO R ESQ UK’ ’ COA 11N G MON DAY. Fannie Hurst, who is noted for her realistic studies of Jewish life, never struck at more intensely human note than she attained in “Humoresque." The novel has lieen translated into motion picture iorm I by Cosmopolitan Productions, and will bo shown at the Palace Theatre lor three nights, commencing Monday next. The scene is New York’s famous lower east side, and the central character a youngster with a soul for music. Receiving his first, violin from his mother on his seventh birthday, the boy later ’develops into a worldknown genius. Then the war comes, and lie returns from overseas with a wounded | shoulder that, it is thought, will prevent 1 him from ever playing a violin again. Put in the great crisis of his life the injured

shoulder is restored to strength, and his happiness returns. EVERYBODY'S. BILLIE RHODES PLAY. How all ended happily and “Boots” proved to be (ho child of an English caplain and a Virginia belle is told in “The Lamb and the Lion,” in which Billie Rhodes plays the part ol “Boots ’ _ and Melbourne MacDowell that of “The Lion. I INDEPENDENT PICTURES. “THE SAFIIEAD.” Filmdom has rarely produced such a quaint comedy as “The _ Saphead, ’ the Metro photoplay now showing at the Opera House. William 11, Crane and Buster j Keaton, co-star in a story that is (he more humorous because the action is so quiet, and the expected never happens. Buster Keaton, as iho simple son of a mining magnate, who blunders in to save a fortune, is funny almost to the point of being ludicrous, and the comedy is served with a fell equipment of trimmings and dialogue. The final screening will bo given to night. THE MALE CHOIR. To-morrow night at the Opera House the Palmerston North public will be privileged to hear the finest mde choir in (he Do-

minion. The Wellington Commercial Travellers’ male choir, comprising 50 voices, is lending its aid to “Help the Mothers” campaign and (he programme to he rendered will contain some very fine concerted items, including “The Banks of AllanWater.” “The Viking Song,” “The Old Superb.” “The Bacchanalian Chorus,” etc. The soloists include Miss Mabclle Esqiiilaut, one of the lending contraltos in New Zealand, who will render Coleridge Taylors beautiful ballad, “Life and Death,” with which shoi scored a distinct success before a recent Wellington audience that filled the Town Hall. Mr Arthur Mayes, a baritone of great ability, will bo hoard in that famous number. “The Blind Ploughman” (Clarke). Mr Mayes is" the possessor of a splendid range and music lovers cannot afford to miss hearing him. Mr L. J. Lofvns will deliver Blumenthal’s “Evening Song," and Mr R. S. Allwright. will sing “Come to the Fair” (Easthope Martin). The Melody Four will be heard in “Reveries” (S torch) and “Kentucky Babe” (Barnes), Wilson’s fine duet, “Tenor end Baritone,” is entrusted to Messrs C. Williams and W. J. Robbins. The box plan is now open at Oates’ music stores and is filling rapidly. Those desirous of reserving their seats are urged to book at. once. “THE MYSTIC MIRROR.” At iho Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday, August 17 and 18, and also at a matinee on Saturday, the 80th, will be staged the fanciful opera-, “The Mystic Mirror.” Ninety performers are taking part in the production, which will he something quite new to Palmerston North theatregoers, as with one exception the I whole of the performers are children, I Beautiful choruses sting by SO tresh young voices .should please everyone. An ingenious story of absorbing interest is told in sparkling and humorous dialogue. The dresses and scenes produce wonderful colour and spectacular effects, while (he music is of exceptional brilliancy and melodiousness. The characters are powerful! individualised,, and genuine comic parts are provided in “Bill Barnacle” and his son “Billy.” The special scenery lids been gratuitously painted by Messrs Pago and Mitchell, of Palmerston North, and patrons will quickly j concede when they see the production that j then - work is an artistic masterpiece. The principal characters are taken by: “Pearl.” Hlu Hancock; “Violet,” Ada Nittlall; “Betty,” Margaret Phillips; “Prince Submarine,” Marjory Miller; “Fairy Seaform,” Phyllis Evans; “Jack Raltlin,” Toby Pratt; “King Torpedo,” Geo. Young; “Bill Barnacle.” Mr Gordon Wickos; "Bouncing Billy” (his son), Phyllis Torpy. The box plan opens at Oates’ on Saturday morning. Holders of 4s tickets, which are selling freely, may book their seats wiffiout further charge, and are advised to .do so early to save disappoinrtient.