ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 164, 12 June 1926, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. “THE FOOL”—A GREAT PICTURE. "Tho Fool,” William Fox’s much heralded picturisation of the Channing Pollock stago success which opened at tho Opera House this afternoon for an extended run, may be pronounced as a sincere attempt to bring clean pictures before the public. It makes no pretenco at tho spectacular—it is iust a big, straightaway dramatic story of a self-effacing young zealot minister who aspired and tried to livo as Christ lived—a theme with a tremendous appeal. There isn’t a doubt that the picture, with its moralistic theme, will exert a tremendous appeal here and elsewhero throughout tho country. Edmund Lowe, handsome young Fox star, who plays the role of tho minister-hero, Daniel, is going to make thousands of now friends ana admirers by his superb and feeling performance of the part. Mr Lowe was pretty near tho whole picture, although Anno Dale, as the little cripplej Mary Thurman, as tho Magdalene; and Paul Panzer, as Umanski, tho Pole, shared much of tho acting honours. Time does not permit of us dealing in full with thi3 exceptional picture and on Monday a fuller description will bo published. PARAMOUNT. BEBE DANIELS THRILLER. Bebe Daniels stars in “Wild, Wild Susan,” now being screened at the Paramount Theatre. Its characteristics are comedy, speed, romance, pep, thrills and general fast-moving entertainment. Rod La Rocquo has a featured role opposite the star and Helen Holaombe has a prominent part in the supporting cast—that of Susan’s prim and proper sister, whom Bebe’s parents in tho picture advise her to imitate. One gets a pretty good idea of the type of picturo “Wild, Wild Susan” is from the very first scenes. A fire engine shoots around a corner blowing and clanging. Everything gives way except a sporty racing car driven by Bebe. -Even pacing fire engines is too tame for this miss who, in tho ensuing scenes, takes to trailing shoplifters and bond thieves after reading a correspondence school book on detective work. COMING ON MONDAY. “That Royle Girl” is Joan Daisy Royle, a jazzy, beautiful modiste’s mannequin, who becomes infatuated with Fred Ketlar, famous leader of a Chicago dance ball orchestra. The latter, though married,' is estranged from his wife, Adele. The latter is found murdered one morning. Ketlar is accused of the crime, having been seen entering her apartment. The trial is the sensation of the city. Although Calvin Clarke, the straightlaced district attorney finds himself strangely drawn to Joan, who is a witness for the defence, he is, nevertheless, merciless in his cross-examination of her, and succeeds in convicting Ketlar. As the day of Ketlar’s execution approaches, Joan wiorks frantically to save him. Tipped off that Baretta (a bootlegger) is the real murderer, she disguises herself and joins a party the gangster is giving at Boar’s Head Inn, a notorious roadhouse. She overhears Baretta admit tho murder, but is discovered and forced to mnke a sensational escape, just as a terrific cyclone breaks in all its fury. The inn collapses, killing all thd gangsters. However, the management does not wish to spoil the evening’s entertainment for patrons and leaves them, if they wish, to enjoy this super picture, a surprise. Prices will be as usual and the booking plan is now open at C. G. Swallow’s or the theatre. KOSY. . OUTSTANDING PROGRAMME. Josie Sedgwick, star in “The Outlaw’s Daughter,” a Universal Blue Streak Western, now being screened at the Kosy Theatre, took many risks of life and limb to make the picture a thrilling, fast moving' story of the west. One incident taxes Miss Sedgwick’s ability as a rough rider to tho. limit. It is one in which she is pursued by a band of outlaws on horseback. Although Miss Sedgwick’s ability with a horso is famous throughout the west she has deeds of daring to perform with such amazing frequency that a less steady nerved person would collapse. Her ride includes a leap over several high obstacles such as a fallen tree, a hedge and a 15-foot chasm. Then to top her exploits in this thrilling western she had to swing on a cable, holding to a pulley which slid down over a precipice, to an aerial bucket hanging dangerously in mid-air. The story of “No Trespassing” introduces Mrs Castle in a scries of whirlwind events. She dances, rides, swims and wears a number of beautiful wraps and gowns that will no doubt be tho envy of every woman in town. Tho action of the story takes place in New York City and in a picturesque town of Cape Cod. It is a modern story, written by Jos. C. Lincoln, and provides her with some of the best opportunities of her career. Charles Chaplin will bo seen in “Tho Adventurer,” and there is only ono Chaplin. THE PALACE THEATRE. “THE WHITE MONKEY.” It has been said that Barbara La Marr was one of the most beautiful actresses ever connected with tho moving picturo world, and one can easily understand that this was the case after seeing her in tho current showing at the Palace Theatre. Supremely and radiantly beautiful, and a great actress to boot she simply carries all before her in tho great and impressive scenes which abound in the wonderful picturo, “The White Monkey.” Thero is a story to be told by medium of this picture, "and tho writer of the story was John Galsworthy, so that tho folks who decide to see tho film to-night will bo fortunate in seeing one of the most perfect pictures the screen has ever seen. Tho Palace Orchestra will provide excellent music as usual, while the xylophone solo by Mr Clarrio Bell will be worth going far to hcar_^ A DEPARTED AGE OF CHIVALRY. Robert G. Vignola, the director of Metro-Goldwyn’s latest picture, “Yolanda,” which comes to the Palace Theatre on Monday, has recaptured all tho glamour of a departed ago of chivalry in this massive production. It is a picture of 15th century Franco in the reign ol Louis XI., and shows those far-off days in a mist of romantic beauty and the colours of war flashing on mail-clad soldiery. It tells an appealing and dashing story of Princess Mary of Burgundy who masquerades as Yolanda, a burgher maid, and of her lover, Prince Maximilian of Styria. The film pulses with life and presents glimpses of ever-changing beauty. These are mingled with wild forest rides, exciting moments of peril, and many scones of love and comedy. Miss Davies, as Princess Mary plays her part with exquisite charm and ability of the highest degree. The production was adapted from tho novel by Charles Major, who wrote “Dorothy Yernon of Idoddon Hall,” “When Knighthood was in Flower,” and other film stories, and is ono which includes many well-known and accomplished stars. “GIVE AND TAKE.” J. C.WILLIAMSON'S BRILLIANT FARCE COMEDY. At the Opera House, next Thursday, June 17th, for one night only, J. C. William Ltd., in conjunction with E .j! Carroll. will present the famous international Hebrew comedian, Harry Grcon, in “Givo and Take,” a farce comedy by Aaron Hoff, man (author of “Welcome Stranger”). “An audience that laughed till its tonsils Were sore filled the Criterion Thealro to greet tho Hoffman farce ‘Give and Take’ in which E. J. Carrol has struck another winner,” says the Sydney Bulletin. “As the bones on which to hang its humour, the farce has a good story. John Bauer, after thirty years of struggle, has built tip a fruit-canning business, but is nipped financially in a struggle with a trust in the midst of which his son, who has picked up Socialist ideas at a university, returns to organise the workers, including his ‘Old Reliable’ foreman and friend. Albert Kruger, the idea being to demand an ‘in-

dustrial democracy’ which will give them a share of control and of profits. Although kicking hard, Bauer agrees to give the arrangement- a month’s t#ial, partly because he is broken-hearted to find his son again6t him, and partly because ho. desperately wants to avoid* a strike which will give tho trust a/ victory. Under a system of control in which the. factory whistle is blowing every few minutes for a ‘rest period,’ or a meeting of the ‘industrial congress,’ a crisis arrives in the business, but ultimately after a series of situations which are dramatic enough, but always have laughter in their tail, a millionaire idealist, who has escaped from -a lunatic asylum, helps the story to a satisfactory conclusion, with sanity and prosperity once more prevailing at the works, and.a matrimonial event in the. ofhng.” The box plan open next Tuesday morning, at tho Opera House. PAVLOVA, THE WONDERFUL DANCER. Dancing such as is rarely seen was the treat that the large audience was privileged to witness at the Opera House la6t night, when Anna Pavlova appeared for a one-night season under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The supreme artiste has had many triumphs, but never has she appeared before a moro enthusiastic audience than that liist nighty lh° members of which were charmed with the artistry grace and rhythm of tho dainty dancer.* Her .appearances on the stago were many, but perhaps she achieves her greatest success in “The Swan,” although “Rondino” was little far behind, and “Christmas,” tho final item, was also a masterpiece. The ballet in one act, “SnowHakcs,” in which, performers, scenery .and stage wero all white, was beautiful and Pavlova captured all hca.rts with her wonderful display. Of particular interest, to local residents was the appearance of Mile. Thursa Rogers, at one time of Wellington, who was premier dancer in tho ballot, “Tho Magic Flute,’ in tho first part of the programme, and who afterwards appeared in support of Pavlova. Mile. Rogers is a very dainty artist, and her performance demonstrated that she is one of the finest dancers in Now Zealand, and her success must bo gratifying to her friends in the Dominion. 1 lie supporting company included many very fine performers, including Laurent Novikofl, while the orchestra under the direction of Lucien Wurmscr was particularly strong and assisted in a marked degree towards the success of the performance. At tho final curtain Pavlova and the other principals were recalled again and again and when the audience dispersed it was with the knowledge that they had witnessed the finest display of the dancing art ever given in this town. /■