ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 101, 30 March 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEWCASTLE STEEL WORKS BAND CROWDED AUDIENCE CHARMED. Several years have olapsced since New Zealand was favoured by a visit from a world-famous band, but on this occasion the presence of the Newcastle Steel Works band carried with it added interest by reason of the fact that unlike its predecessors, it was a combination of a sister colony which hold the great presence at the Opera House on .Saturday evening was greeted by a crowded audience when its sonorous beauty of tone, firm aiid sturdy brass, proved a delight which raised the audionce to a high pitch of enthusiasm. A combination which gave to the renditions a machine-like precision, clean cut Orispnees in attack and release, its efforts were an undoubted musical treat. The concertos of Listz and Tsohaikovsky were features of a delightful evening, while other popular numbers were the overture from William Tell (“The Storm” and “Morning”), “In a Persian Market” and “Red, White and Blue Patrol.” A a encore numbers, which were repeatedly demanded, the band gave several sacred pieces, "Nearer My God to Thee” and “The Lost Chord” being outstanding. The visit of this combination, which lias retumod from the Old World with honours thick upon them, has been one which will carry many pleasant recollections for years to come. Yesterday afternoon and evening the band held concerts at the showgrounds, when, favoured by the climatic conditions, large audiences uttended at each performance and accorded the visitors enthusiastic receptions, PARAMOUNT. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES. Local musical and terpsiehorean talent will be seen at tho amateur vaudeville tfials at tho Paramount Theatre to-night. The programme will be headed by “The Unknown Contralto,” a lady possessing a rich and musical voice. Tho other vocalists are Miss Rowe, mezzo-soprano, and Mr Polkinghorne, a ballad singer of ability. Tho work of Mr Hancox and his humorous partner, Mr Armstrong, on the trapeze and horizontal bar compares more than favourably with some professional acts. Mr Palmer heads a trio of Hawaiian guitars, while clever dances and songs will be given by tho talented young Morgans. Hebrew impersonations by a local artist, supply the comedy. Prizes are being given for the best acts which will be credited by the amount of applause given by the public. The film to be shown is “Stephen Steps Out,” featuring Douglas Fairbanks, junr. The story concerns Stephen Harlow, jnr., son of the head of the Harlow Packing Company, who is attending a school founded by his father. Stephen fails in his examination in Turkish history and his angry futher .sends him to Turkey with a tutor to study the history of the country on the spot. Then follow exciting incidents. The boy is captured by rebels and thrown into prison. Here Stephen finds the son of the Sultan in the next cell to his own. Young Harlow makes his escape, rushes into the throne room and throws himself at the Sultan’s feet. Tho rebels aro takon prisoners and the heir to the throne saved. As a reward, Sephen is offered “Tho Grand Cross of the Orescent.” This he accepts on the understanding that it is to bo given to his old professor, Dr. Gilman. Stephen and his tutor return to America and arrive at the school just as Dr. Gilman is about to bo decorated by Turkish onvoys. Marlow senr., also arrives on the scene and realising the tremendous publicity that will be given the school because of Dr. Gilman's decoration at the hands of tho Turkish Government, is greatly pleased. TIIE PALACE TO-NIGHT. “THE SEA HAWK.” Frank Lloyd’s First Notional picture, “The Sea Hawk,” adapted from the story by Rafael Sabatini, author of “Scareamouche,” and regarded by critics and producers us tho greatest sea story ever brought to the silver sheet, will be shown for a brief season at the Palace commencing this evening. Dealing with a spectacular romance and the piracy of the late sixteenth century, English, Spanish and Moors. “The Sea Ilawk” is reputed to possess an extraordinary amount of thrilling incidents, redblooded action and tender romance amid quaint and massive settings. The transfer of Mr Sabatini’s epic to tho screen mado necessary tho expenditure of £BOO,OOO. tho building of a fleet of four mammoth sea craft of the sixteenth century, £20,000 in wardrobe and tho use of over a thousand men in some of tho brilliant naval combats; yet critics state “The Sea Hawk” is bigger than just the investment which has made it possible, indeed one of the truly great master-pictures of the film, with thrilling action and big situations to make eacli succeeding reel more fascinating than its predecessor. Milton Sills plays tho dual character of Sir Oliver Tressilian and Sakr-el-Bahr, tho hawk of the sea. and Enid Bennett is his fiancee, Rosamund Godolphin. Lloyd Hughes assumes a character part for the first time in his meteoric screen career, playing Lionel, Oliver's brother and Wallace Beery essays the role of Jasper Leigh, renegrade, who kidnap Oliver from England and later returns with him as his faithful lieutenant. Frank Currier, March McDermott, Kathleen Key, Lionel Belmore, Claire du Brey, Fred de Silva, Hector V. Sarno, Bobbie Boldor, Christine Montt, Albert Frisco, Kato Price, and Louis Mirnson are others prominent in the big cast.

KORY. THREE AND A HALF HOURS ENTERTAINMENT. The latest William Fox photoplay with Shirley Mason as the star. ‘‘My Husband's Wives,” which opens to-night at the Kosy Theutre, introduces Maurico Elvey, for years England’s foremost director. Mr Elvey considers “My Husband’s Wives” one of the best pictures ho has ever directed »ud this opinion is significant in view of the fact that for the last eleven years this director has had to his credit the greatest picture to come out of England each season. Beginning with 1914 when Elvey directed “Black Eyed Susan,” his long list of successes included: “The Suicide Club,” “Florence Nightingale,” “Nelson,” “Hindle Wakes,” “Mr Mu,” “The Tavern Knight,” “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” “The Fruitful Vino,” “The Wandering Jew” ajid “Sally Bishop.” Amongst other pictures will be seen “The Green Cat," featuring Snub Pollard.