ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 172, 22 June 1926, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY. MARION DAVIES AND RICHARD TALMADGE. “Stepping Lively,” a Master picture, is proving an excellent attraction at the Kosy. It _ taps tho vein of drama entirely new in the history of detective stories on tho screen, and provides its athletio young star with one of tho best opportunities of his career, of which Mr Talmadge takes full advantage. Mildred Harris and a largo cast of capablo playors support tho star. Comedy as well as romance and mystery has been interjected into the story, through tho medium of a "fat-lieaded” detective, who leavens the drama with plenty of laughs. “Zandor the Great,” the famous success yhich has been adapted to tho screen by Frances Marion, and which stars Marion Davies in a modern rolo ( is also at the Kosy. Seldom has Miss Davies beqn 6o admirably cast as in the role of the whimsical yet humorous Irish heroine of “Zander the Great.” Tho qujek-moving story koeps pace with 'tho daring doing 3 of mysterious ranchers, bandits and moonshiners who clash in the sweeping spaces of the Mojave Desert, Arizona. With Harrison Ford, Holbrook Blinn, Hobart Bosworth, Harry Myers and others in the cast, “Zander the Great” is carried along dramatically with many humorous touches to relieve its intensity. PARAMOUNT. ELAINE HAMMERSTEIN THRILLER. “Drums of Jeopardy,” the outstanding picturisation of Harold MacGrath’s popular novel is at the Paramount Theatre to-night. The “drums of jeopardy” are in reality the two linest ' emeralds in tho world and get their name from tho fact that tlioy are set as drum-heads in two drums which aro held between the knees of two squatting Hindu figures. There is a legend that these two emeralds, when held to the ears, will echo the rumpity-tump-tump of a beaton drum, and that then always something tragio. will happen. Tho story opens in tho atmosphere of a Russian castle where the jewels are recovered by their rightful owner —the young prince of a Russian house. He is tracked to the new world, to New York, where his adventures aro entwined with a beautiful American girl, the daughter of tho great banker, in whose care ho has placed the jowels. Through a series of thrilling episodes, the romance weaves its way to final love triumphant—but not until a mysterious murder, and two strange disappearances aro solved. Although the dainty and winsome Elaine Ilammorstein is the star she is supported by players who aro in reality stars in their own right—Wallace Beery, who plays tho character of Karlov, the secret agent of tho Russian Government, and chief of all their foreign agents, and Jack Mulhall, who takes the leading male role opposite Miss Ilammorstein. Other prominent artists are David Torrence who, with his brother Ernest Torrence, has created a standard amongst character artists in motion pictures; Maude George, a favourite of many years’ standing, who has been starrod in pictures of her own, and Eric Mayno, well-known character actor.

PALACE. Syd. Chaplin, starring in “The Man on tho Box,” which is being shown at the Palace Theatre, has certainly out-Chaplin-ed Chaplin in liis picturisation of the famous novel by Harold MacGrath. Tho stage play was said to bo funny, so funny that it was voted the merriest event of its yoar, but the picture will easily beat it for laughs to the inch. There is no use going unless you want to have a real good time. You might possibly feel nobler if you stayed at home reading an instructive book, but, if you want a laugh, if you want-to have a real good time, if you are looking for merriment and excitement, just go and see Syd. Chaplin in “Tho Man oh the Box” at tho Palace Theatre to-night. Tho supporting members of the programme aro above the usual standard, and form, a very fine introduction to the best picture soen in a long time.

“THE SUNBEAMS.”

LAST NIGHT OF BRIGHT SHOW. “Tho Sunbeam Kiddies,” without exception the most remarkable troupe of juvenile ontertainers over seen here, will make thoir final appearanco at tho Opera House to-night. Clever to tho point of brilliance, theso versatile young Australians perform with speed rarely if ever seen in adult companies. Dancing is their forte, while tho six agile tumblers in tho company are nothing loss than marvellous. With bewildering rapidity they go through more movements and present more numbers in a little over an hour than most touring companies submit in doublo the time. Tho soloists are capable and aro supported by a fascinating ballet. The wee baby bride in tho wedding scene is “a peach” and very captivating. To realise what, an exceedingly good company this is, it is really necessary to see them perform. Any who liavo not yet done so should seize the final opportunity to-night. The second part of tho programme is occupied by tho British film, “Tho Only Way,” a very fine production.

DON COSSACK CHOIR. OVATIONS EVERYWHERE. The famous Don Cossack Choir, which is to givo one concort in tho Palmerston North Opera House on Friday next, under the direction of Mr E. J. Carroll, has caunsed something in the nature of a sensation at Sydney and Melbourne. Tho conservativ© critic of the Melbourne Ago of April 17 wrote: “Orthodox ideas of choralism were scattered to the four winds of heaven by tho Don Cossack choir of male voices, under Sorge Jarov, at the Auditorium. Yet, amid all tho tenderness and vividness of tho work of these singers tho charm of good craftsmanship and of - tho fitting application of unusually rich means to the end in view was never lacking. How much tho choir owes to the genius of its conductor (who acquired his artistry at tho famous Church Music Academy at Moscow) can only bo conjectured. The audience was repeatedly taken by storm by the sensitiveness and impetuous sonority of theso Southern Russians, from whoso forebears the far-famed ecclesiastical choristers of Moscow havo been recruited for generations. A beautifully toned pianissimo of incredible softness is tho basis of their singing of sacred music This music like the traditional singing of it has much of the intrinsic interest of the ritual and practice of that great Eastern branch of Christian activity which per. petuates tho curious charm of antique scale modes ancient and beautiful cadences and more ’than a glimmering of the glory of naganisA.” Tho box plan for the one Palmerston North concert will bo opened at tho Opera House to-morrow morning.