ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 124, 23 April 1927, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. FRED THOMSON IST “WILD BULL’S LAIR.” An excellent programme >7lll be presented at the popular little Kosy Theatre tonight. A hitherto untapped vein of western action dramii, well mixed with comedy, yields a “strike” of rich ore in “The 'Wild Bull’s Lar,” Fred Thomson's F. B. Ot> production. The western star, who Has enjoyed a meteoric.rise to great, popularity in the last year, is at his best m the role of Dan Alloa, § fearless cattleman who eventually solves the mystery of “The Wild Bull’s Ltii” and who is the only rancher immune to the supposedly super-natural which is at work on the summit. Silver King, lita wonderful horse, has an excellent part, ind struts his stuff with his usual intelligence and spirit. Although Thomson and his horse naturally stand out at the head of the cast, all the roles are filled admirably and the direction of the pioture is fine. Particularly beautiful ana effective scenic shots have been obtained of the groat bull, silhouetted against the sky on tie mountain peak, bellowing his strange challenge to the valley beneath. The peak of this distinctive story is reached when Allen fights the supposedly “spook” bull, which is really a wild and vicious animal with the bison strain. The battle between man and beast is a classic of fights on the screen; and it is doubtful if a more sensational contest could be imagined. Thomson’s great strength and trained agility as an athlete make him able actually to “bulldog” the huge creature and drop him as an ordinary cowboy would a yesrling steer; but only after a herculean struggle. Points of interest in “The Great (Deception” are the Secret Service —holding the secrets of a nation at war—a spy, snake in the grass, ready to sell the secrets of a nation—a slim figure of a woman creeping Blowly to where the enemy plane with the stolon plans on board stales with the enemy pilot all ready to take off —but the woman wins in an exciting climax.

DE LUXE. SIR RIDER HAGGARD’S “MOON OF ISRAEL.” “Moort of Israel ” the Paramount special production, which comes to the De Luxe Theatre to-day. has two of the most famous beauties, of Europe in its cast. Those are Maria Corda and Arlette Marchal. Miss Marchal has long been acknowledged in Europe as one of the most beautiful women on the screen and stage. She went to America under contract with Paramount aind has appeared in many pictures and made a name there also. Maria Corda is an Italian beauty. She, too, has won fame ia the screen world of the Continent and is being hailed by the rest of the world as a great actress. Theso two play the leading roles—those of Princess Userti (Arlette Marchal) and Merapi, Moon of Israel (Maria Corda). The leading male role is played by Adelqui Millar, an English actor of prominence, with a great supporting cast of 25,000. How she influenced, his life s.nd saved her peoplo is told in the thrilling romance of Sir H. Rider Haggard. As a fitting successor to “The Ten Commanc ments,” nothing will ever approach it *for many years to come.

PALACE THEATRE. BILLIE DOVE IN “THE MARRIAGE CLAUSE.” An unalloyed treat is in store for patrons of the Palace Theatre, when “The Marriage Clause,” a Universal-Jewel, makes its l'ong-heralied appearance.. For sheer interest and story value this picture marks one of the high spots of the current cinema season. “The Marriage Clause” is a story of the mysterious life back-stage. It concerns the careers of Sylvia Jordan, an inexperienced girl, who is given an opportunity by Barry Townsend, a famous stage director. As he develops her career, he finds that he is falling in love with her. Unknown to him she reciprocates his affection but he believes that her heart is given to Ravenal, the producer. Gradually her 6tar rises and with her rise Townsend descends lower and lower in the 6oeia! scale. He begins to feel that she needs him no longer and he becomes full of despair. Sylvia’s big night aiTives, when she is to make her premier in a new play. She is unable to appear owing to the absence of her beloved Townsend, but Ravenal deceives her into thinking that the manager is present. Stimulated, she makes her appearance and achieves an outstanding triumph. Unknown to both, Townsend is in the audience and his heart becomes bitter to think that she is able to her success without him. From then an the story takes a most original twist and the audience is kept in suspense until the final foot of the last reel. A brilliant cast delineates the various roles, with Billie Dove and Francis X. Bushman in the leading parts. Warner Oland is the producer in the photoplay and Grace Darmond is a jealous actress. Other members include Henri Le Garde, Caroline Snowden, Oscar Smith, Andre Cheron, Jtobert Dudley, Charles Meakin, Henry Victor and Robert Seiter. Seats should bo reserved at Martin’s or by theatre phone 5328.

“THE BEST PEOPLE.” “The Best People,” which is to bo presented for one night only at the Opera House on Saturday next, April 30, under tho direction of Mr E. J. Carroll, the American plutocracy is cleverly satirised. The audacity of the author, Avery Hopwood, is justified by his adroitness. This playwright has crammed the comedy with piquant situations, really clever “business’,’ and sparkling dialogue; he has put good writing, sound workmanship and clever character studies into this delightful comedy. It is really a humorous play which keeps one laughing all the time. The embroglio into which Mr and Mrs Lenox are thrust by the behaviour of their children is simply priceless. The chorus girl whose disinterested attention to the hope of the house disturbs the aristocratic New York family sums up her world in epigrams that fairly scintillate; and another shock is in store for the ultra-exclu-sive family when the only daughter proclaims her love for the stalwart chaffeur. Hilarious situations 'ensue when the father and uncle of the two scapegraces decide to “sacrifice” themselves in order to uphold the reputation of the family. Their efforts at diplomacy are uproariously funny. As a character study of the rising generation “The Best People” is an education, a revelation, and a remarkably ingenious entertainment. A brilliant cast, most of them making their first, appearance in New Zealand, includes Mis 3 Helen Audiffred, Mr Richard Ehlers, MiSs Marian Lord, Mr Robert Adams, Mr J. B. Rowe, Miss Eileen Morris, Mr William McAuley, Miss Marion Sterly, Mr H. Layne-Bayliff, Mr Leslie Jones and Miss Beatrice Day. The ladies of the company are said to be famous for their exquisite taste in dress and set and led the fashion in Sydney and Melbourne during. their long stay in those cities. The box plans will be opened at the Opera House on Wednesday next.