ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1186, 8 December 1924, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE. “Lot. Not Man Put Asunder,” the J. Stuart Blackton production adapted from Basil King’s famous novel of the same name, is described in the city press as the most sensational, emotional exposition of the pitfalls of marriage and divorce that ever has been presented on the screen. The theme of love . misguided provides one of the most, gripping, human, heart-touch-ing stories ever offered motion picture lovers, ft is a picture of beauty; the sets are lavish and there is an atmosphere of luxury that places the picture far in advance of any recently shown here. It breathes wealth and society, yet possesses the element of greatness In drama. Pauline Frederick and Lou Tellegen, two of the greatest emotional players on the. screen, have (lie leading roles and are supported by Leslie Austen, Helena D’Algy and an all-star east of players. A 2-reel stunt comedy, “Air Pockets,” and a Pathe Gazette will also ho shown in conjunction with a clean and pleasing vaudeville act by Colin and John Campbell, whose winning personality, combined with their cleverness on the various instruments used by them, makes them prime favourites in high-class vaudeville. As advertised by the management, this should be a fine allround entertainment. KOSY. Melodrama, thrills, • mystery and intrigue. That’s what patrons will find at the Kosy Theatre in the William Fox special production of “It Is The Law,” which opened there to-day and proved to be a saturated solution of the above-named elements. It is one of those rare pictures that, happen just once in a while, like “Within The Law.” As a mystery story* with a great punch in its surprise climax, it would be unfair to reveal much more than this , about tho plot and action. Needless to say it is one of those cleverly contrived dramas that keep one on tenterhooks of suspense and challenges that little bit of detective in all of us. Arthur Hold, at present a favourite among Broadway stage stars, plays a wonderful dual —yes, triple—role. It is Hold’s first screen appearance and he was selected because of having created the original part in the stage play. Opposite him, a young screen petite Mirni Palineri, a young screen actress who has come within reaching distance of stardom in a few pictures. “Don’t Call it Love” is the second big picture in this programme. It is tho story of a self-centred young man who took the love of a charming girl for granted, and when ho (lilted with another woman he found it a ’ difficult matter to win the girl. Agnes Ayres as the nice girl, Nita Naldi us the siren and Jack Holt with Theodore Ivoslolf have the principal parts. A comedy, a trvelogue and a natural history study will complete u hours’ hill. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Buster Keaton’s first super comedy for Metro, “Our Hospitality,” is tho attraction coming to the Paramount Theatre to-night. This is the kind of comedy all have been waiting for since “The Kid.” “Our Hospitality” is a comedy that young and old will ache with laughter about. Apart from tms it presents something new in the comedy entertainment. It is fiot. a jingling together of humorous episodes, but a straight-out dramatic story of a feud of one hundred years ago. And laughter just runs riot through tho lot. The frozen-faced comedian is certainly hitting the high places of comedy and giving something different and with more mirth. In addition to the star this picture marks the return to tile .screen of ono of the famous Talmadge sisters, Natalie. When this player left tho screen on becoming Mrs Keaton, the screen lost one of its most promising players. Others of importance in the cast are Buster Keaton’s son and his father. There is also the son of Francis X. Bushman. The direction was jointly handled by the sad-faced comedian himself and Jack Blystone. Tom Mix’s greatest comedy feature, “Soft Boiled,” was directed by this able man. The period of one hundred years ago lias been taken for the background of the story, and humorous incidents have been woven into every minute. A very excellent supporting programme will bo screened including the clever Monte Banks comedy, “Be Careful,”' together with tho latest Burton Holmes travelogue and Paramount gazette. The music of tho Paramount select orches- i tra, under tho direction of Mrs R. S. Law, will be particularly novel and delightful. The box plan for Jhis remarkable programme is at C. G. Swallow’s. “THE MESSIAH.” Four of New Zealand’s premier vocalists will ho heard at tho Opera House on Wednesday night, when the Palmerston North Choral Society will produce Ilan- \ del’s greatest oratorio, “The Messiah.” Of the ability of Mr William Watters, 1 of this totvn, little need he said, as he ! is a great favourite with Palmerston 1 North audiences and he has filled premier roles in many productions throughout fne Dominion. Miss Mina Cafilow, of Auckland, is gifted with that rare quality of voice, a full and pure contralto, which lends itself to the full expression of joy and sorrow. She is well-known to audiences throughout the Dominion in oratorio, and (says a critic) her wonderful voice, concentrated and reserved, powerful yet gentle, and charged with grief, compassion, ruthlessness or hate, always acts like magic on her listeners. Madame Amy Woodward, of Wellington, another of tho vocalists, has a voice particularly suited for the correct interpretation of the colourful music with which tho oratorio abounds, and it is certain that her renderings will receive a fine reception. Of Mr Sydney Butler, tenor vocalist, of Christchurch, the Sun wrote: “Mr Butler, in making his Christchurch debut in ‘The Messiah,’ negotiated all his music with that unmistakablo certainty only to bo found in tho experienced oratorio artist. Breadth of phrasing, dramatio force, meticulous care in diction, and genuine depth of feeling were the characteristics of ins j singing.” Mr Butler received his vocal j training at the hands of the celebrated voice trainer, Mr Charles Lunn, of the I school of the great Italian maestro, Cattaneo, of Milan, and has appeared in oratorio and on the concert platform in many countries.

NELLIE BRAMLEY’S RETURN. “IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE.” On Thursday, December lltli, the American comedy, “It Pays to Advertise,” will bo staged by the Nellio Bramloy Company. It is a play of the breeziest type, and the company is confident it will be universally popular, for it provokes laughs right through the performance, and has an appealing touch of sentiment that should make it doubly favoured. Mr Carl Lawson, as the slick advertising agent, is a scream, and Miss Brarnley is full of charm as a business-headed but lovable typists. “PAID IN FULL.” “Paid in Full” will be staged on Friday night. It is a powerful drama by Eugeno Walters. New York provides the setting for the story. Joe Brooks, collector for the Latin-Ameriean Steamship Company, and his young wife, Emma, are making the best of life in n small flat. Their lives aro rather dominated by the commanding ligure of the president of the company, Captain Williams, who is exceedingly dictatorial to his employees. One of them, Jimsy Smith, can afford to be independent, but with Joe Brooks it is otherwise. Cupluin Williams places Joe in a position of trust, but keeps bis pay as low as pQssible. Anxious to give Emma more luxuries, Joe appropriates money from the firm, and then gambles to recoup himself. But in vain, and whon the Captain finds out, Joo prevails on Emma to propitiato the stern employer. Then comes the great scene, and after Emma’s pleading, the bitter, hard old sea-dog proves to bo better than' he seemed. Mies Brarnley and her supporting artists aro vc-ry happily cast in their respeotivo roles. The box plans are on view at Gatos’s Music Store.