ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 26, 30 December 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

paramount; “THE LIGHT OF~WESTERN STARS.” In El Cajon, Geno Stewart, a dashing and popular cowboy, has vowed, at the climax of a drunken spree, to marry the first girl who alights from the transcontinental train. The girl happens to be Madeline Hammond, who has come from the East, and Stewart discovers, just before tho marriage ceremony by- force is finished, that she is the sister of his best friend, A 1 Hammond, a ranchor. The latter becomes involved in an argument with an outlaw chief with Bonita, a pretty Spanish girl, kills one of Brand’s men and has to flee, 'thirsting for revenge. Brand raids the Hammond, ranch repeatedly and drives off scores of cattle. The young cowboy arrives at the ranch just in time to save the girl from Brand who has abducted her. Many exciting incidents follow and finally a pitched battle between the entrenched outlaws and the rescuers comes as a climax. Stewart and Brand fight it out hand-to-hand while Madeline waits for victory and happiness with her cowboy lover. Jack Holt, Noah Beery and Billie Dove are in the picture. PALACE. “Tho King of Wild Horses” is tho cause of the greatest thrill ovor experienced by a, picture audience in Palmerston North. Some of tho stunts put over by the great horse “Rex” must be seen to, be believed. “THREE WEEKS.” A new motion picture which should rank right at the top, with tho best that tho industry affords, is Goldwyn’s screen version of Elinor Glyn’s sensational novel, "lliree Weeks,” which will be seen tomorrow night at the Palace Theatre. Mrs Glyn has given tho public her word that sho is entirely satisfied with the picture and, judging from tho impression it made upon tho audiences at the Wellington theatres, the public at large is going to be thoroughly satisfied with it, too. The story of “Three Weeks” recounts the love romance that came to the Queen of Sardalia and the young Englishman, Paul Vcrdayne. The Queen dies at the hands of her dissolute husband, buti Paul, her lover, through his deep and onduring affection for her, made of his life a monument to her character and her influence. Tho story is told in the photoplay with a wealth of detail and a vividness of acting which will insure the screen version a wide popularity. "THE WHITE SISTER.” A SCREEN TRIUMPH. LILIAN GISH EXCELS HERSELF IN NEW ROLE. “The White Sister” is superb. Nothing more beautiful has ever been brought to tho screen. It is a wonderful thing in its conception and its presentation, and in its acting it is a masterpiece tho like of which Palmerston. North has not boon given an opportunity of witnessing before. Lilian Gish, if there was doubht about it before, must now be conceded tho right to the title of the screen’s greatest emotional actress. Her work in this film is a revelation. Nothing more appealing, more tensely dramatic, more infinitely sweet has ever been given us. Tho image of the wonderful figure that this actress makes of tho little White Sister must remain a vivid memory for a long time with all who see tho film. Sho throws over the whole movement of a story that attains tho heights of the greatest dramatic power file lure of a wonderful personality that dominates everything throughout tho picture. Tho picture is magnificont from every point of view. Tho story is a most engrossing one, with a wealth of. arresting incident that keeps the attention riveted on the screon and compols an attitude of constant expectancy. Tho portrayal of the eruption of Vesuvius is splendidly done, not only as to the great upheaval itself, but also as to the representation of tho great dam that floods tho countrysido and causes widespread havoc. In these respects the'film has all tho merits of a great spectacle presented with remarkablo fidelity. But it is tho actress who counts particularly. Even with such a wealth of other merits, it is tho wonderful work of Miss Gish that raises this film to a plane that others have not attained. She grips tho affections of the audience at the moment she appears first before the camera, and thereafter it is her fortunes that the audionce particularly follows. Every expression, every movement sho makes is eloquent and telling. She is excellently supported by a cast of actors and actresses who do splendid work and carry their full share of the burden in presenting this always tensely gripping production. “The Whito Sister” will bo screened at the Palace Theatre commencing on Monday next with a matinee at 2 p.m. Tho musical score is worthy of special note. Tho numbers have been well selected, and so arranged as to suit the picture oxcollently. Tho numbers appear to merge so well into tho action of tho film that they are an inherent part of the story and not an extraneous accompaniment.

OPERA HOUSE. Charlie Chaplin in his great comedy, “The Gold Rush,” a United Artists poration release, now playing at the Ojlfera House at Bennett’s Pictures, is being seen by large audiences. They see the little tramp a disappointed prospector, amble into tno dance hall, seeking, searching for a little companionship—surrounded by the merry makers, but with never a sign of welcome from anyone. Then ho is left alone while tho crowd of lucky ones go on with the dance until a smile from “the girl” seems to kindle a spark, and as he steps forward to the greeting—finds that it is for someone else. This, and many other little touches of life’s ironies are the things that make “The Gold Rush” the great picture it undoubtedly is. The Opera House was again crowded last night and it looks as though the whole season will be to capacity business. The matinees are proving a boon to tho children, who go into hysterical laughter as Charlie Chaplin goes through his antics. The house on the cliff side is one big scroam.