ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 105, 3 April 1926, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY. JACK lIOXIE AND CHARLES CHAPLIN. Unusually full of thrills and beautiful Wostorn scenery was the verdict of spectators at the opening of tho “The While Outlaw,a Universal JUlue Streak Western, now’ showing at tho Ivosy Theatre. This is tho most impressive Western picturo that citizens of Palmerston North liavo been privileged to see for many months. That Cliff Smith, tho director of the picture, found tho marvellous locale is another feats as wonderful as tho directing of tho wild horses. Tho location of tho action was placed in a sunburnt plain enclosed by snow-capped mountains, one of the most beautiful contrasts over filmed in a motion picture. Jack iioxie, as leading man, does some especially hazardous stunts to bring about the rescue of Marceline Day, his leading lady, from under tho hoofs of a 6tampeding herd of a thousand wild horses. Miss Day is splendid, in her role, imparting to tho picture tho vivacity and delicte fragrance of her youth, as a contrast to tho rough, rugged men and tho Rocky Mountain setting. As will bo seen front tho ndvertisement there is a wonderful supporting programme, including Charles Chaplin in “The Vagabond.”

PALACE. THEATRE “THE NECESSARY EVIL.” Ben Lyon and Viola Dana scored a hit last night at tlio Palace Theatre in “The Necessary Evil,” Picturegoors found a story that if different from the usual run of lovo stories. It is Iho story of a stepfather and stepson contesting for the hand of the same girl. And interwoven with the thrills, love pathos, tragedy and comedy of tVe tale is a theme dealing with the effect of inherited tendencies. Lyon, as the stepson, gives one of the best performances wo have ever seen him present on tho screen. Viola Dana, as tho girl in the case, gives her usual excellent performance. Another actor who deserves much praise is Thomas Holding, who plays the stepfather. There is another member of this excellent cast who furnishes one of tho finest bits of emotional acting seen in films in years. Sho is Gladys Brockwell, who gained fame in vampire roles. “Tho world’s best ventriloquist” is tho managerial reference to Mr Walter Vernon, who, with his littlo pal ‘Ginger,’ will submit a new budget of songs, quips and topical hits, to-nig/it. It is doul/lful if Palmerston. North has ever seen an artist of his ability, and tho manner in which ho walks down tile ramp through the audience, smiling yet throwing his voice to tho doll, and without tho faintest detection of lip movement, is little slurt of marvellous.

PARAMOUNT. “THE GOOSE HANGS HIGH.” Hailed as “the great family picture,” “The Goofo Hangs High,” James C'ruze’s latest Paramount production, opened last night at the Paramount Theatre, and captured a lirsh night audience with its simple story, human characterisations and tlawlctis direction. As it unfolds on the screen, there is an ualfected naturalness about it, an air of homely realism that stamps it is refreshingly different frum the usual run of picture plays. The story concerns itself with an average family—typical everyday folks—and develops the sort of dramatic, pathetic arid connc incidents that people experience in real life. Tho plot hinges on the sacrifices of the Ingals parents and the selfishness of their children who, with characteristic thoughtlessness, desert their parent on Christmas eve to celebrate tho holiday with their own friends. The acting of tho admirably selected cast is one of the outstanding features of this photoplay. All the leading players, which includo Constance Bennett, Myrtle Stedinan, Esther .Ralston, George Irving and Edward Poil, jr., give very creditable performances.

OPERA HOUSE. EXTRA NIGHT TO SCREEN. “IRON HORSE.” In the William Fox picture “The Iron Horse”, which will have its last showing to-night at the Opera House, J. Farrel MacDonald plays the role of "Corporal Casey,” uco of track layers in the days of the first transcontinental railroad. Unshared, horny-handed, with jaws swollen by tobacco, Casey is tho very spirit of the days which meant so much in American progress. While the title put Irish wit into his remarks, it is MacDonald who makes Casey live merely by tho w-ink of an eye, or the doubling of a fist. MARY ITCKFORD IN RAGAMUFFIN ROLE. Tho sancy, mischievous imp who is beloved by millions throughout the world is back on tho silver screen Mary Rickford has forsaken the ruffled laces and bejewelled gowns of costumo plays and has returned to the type of rolo that made her famous. “The World’s Sweetheart” is again tho curly haired, prank playing, impetuous Irish lossio in “Little Annio Rooney” her latest United Artists Coropration photoplay, which comes to the Opera llouso on Tuesday next, "Little Annie Rooney” starts with a fight and ends with a fight. In between are laughs galore, a toar or two, much suspense and many heart throbs. It is an ideal story for Mary Pick ford and her characterisation of Little Annio is one of genuine artistry, played us no other actress could play it. The story is one of the slums of Now York, ail epic of thoso' crowded, musty thoroughfares on the East Side, where men, women and children in motley array swarm like ants in an ant hill. Little Annio is one of a million there. Sho is the leader of a gang of boys which is continually getting into battles with a rival gang. While slid a child Annie is plunged into a maelstrom of dramatic incidents that first sober the impulsive girl, then bring out tho heroic qualities so often found in children of (lie slums. “Little Annio Rooney” is declared to bo Miss Pickford’s best picture in her eventful 6creen career. It is the typo of picture which should plcaso overyono, 1 has been given a sumptuous production, and the photography is said to bo beautiful throughout. Tho coming of “Little Annie Rooney” is an event of magnitude in tho present theatrical season. The box plans may bo seen at tho Opera Houso.