ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 148, 23 May 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE PALACE.

“TIIE LOVELORN.** According to a very Aviso man, the average person spends one-third of lus or her life sleeping, one-third working and onethird eating and thinking about love, ilua may bo an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that nearly everybody is keenly interested in his or her own and everybody clso's love affairs. So much so, that there has come into being in America a group of people who do nothing else but listen to and advise people on this all important and fascinating subject, by conducting advice to those in love” columns in American newspapers. Included in this group —and undoubtedly, the ablest of thorn all is to bo found Miss Beatrice Fairfax, who for fifteen years has been learning, and in turn instructing others, about love. Lrom tho depths of her experience she has written “The Lovelorn,” her first motion picture story, a vivid romance of real life which opens at tho Palace Thcatro tonight. It is a story so true that every girl who views it can see a bit of herself as the heroine, and every man and woman can look back over their own lifo and recall incidents such as arc portrayed on ■ the screen. It is a picture of heart appeal that is as rare as tho acting ability displayed by the players. “Tho Lovelorn” is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor picture directed by John P. McCarthy of “Becky” fame, with Sally O’Neil and her 6ister, Molly O’Day, playing the leading roles.

KOSY THEATRE. BUCK JONES’S STORY. Again Buck Jones rides into the hearts of his audience with his whimsical smile, fine horsemanship and feats of daring in one of the best pictures of his career, “Black Jack,” which had its first local showing at the Kosy Theatre this afternoon- Fox Films have kept their promise in this production of showing the beauty spots of America to theatre audiences. The backgrounds of this, their latest western, are as beautful ns any that were ever screened. Tlioy prove an unexpected treat and help to make this production a thing to bo remembered. The story itself has for its theme tho lust for gold and deals with two men and a girl, they key to a lost mine and a gang of desperadoes. Action, suspense and mystery, love interest and rollicking humour kept tho audience who witnessed “Black Jack” this afternoon either gripipng their seats or shouting with laughter. Barabara Bennett has the leading feminine role, into which she fits admirably and 'which she plays with whole hearted sympathy. A cast of screen favourites arc in support, including Buck Jones’s great white horse. Silver Buck. The additional feature is “More Pay—Less Work” from the story by Peter B. Kyne. Excellent supports will also be shown.

THEATRE DE LUXE. “MOTHER MACHREE”— AN IRISH ROMANCE. Assembling a brilliant cast of players to appear in the leading roles of his picture, “Mother Machree,” John Ford, the painstaking producer of many notable Fox successes, made what is unquestionably one of the most enchanting film stories to come to these parts. After a surfeit of ponderous drama and sophisticated comedy, this simple story of everyday .people comes as a most welcome change, and upon its presentation at the Theatre de Luxe to-night should evoke as much favourable comment here as it lias done in other parts.. In the title role is seen Belle Bennett, whoso Stella Dallas in the picture of that name stamped her as tho screen’s leading emotional actress; though the role of Mother Machree does not call for any such maudlin sentimentality as did Stella. Rather is humour, of that delightful and infectious Irish quality, one of the outstanding features of tins drama. It is at once a delicious example of Irish wit, and the tears a,nd smiles that, according to Tom Moore, are in Erin’s eye. The whole thing is essentially Celtic, from its lilting laughter to the brave optimism and fighting spirit that actuate the motive of every member of the play. Most of the action takes place in the New World, with its material spirit and its great places, but the opening scenes, laid in little Irish villages, leave a lingering memory behind, and are never completely swamped by the splendour of Now York. The story is from the pen of Rida Johnston Young, a popular American writer, and she tells a charming tale ofadventures and misadventures befalling a little family wherein pathos and comedy and inevitable romance play a large part. There is nothing problematical about the thing; it is purely entertainment, and as such .will be refreshing after the problem plays that too often find their way on to the screen. Belle Bennett is really pleas- 1 ing in the exacting and emotional title role, closely followed by Ted McNamara, the famous comedian of “What Price Glory ?” as the Harpist of Wexford, and Victor McLaglcn, the immortal Captain Flagg, as tho Giant of Kilkenny. Neil Hamilton and Constance Howard supply the romantic interest in a story in which there is not a suggestion of the “villain” clement. During the season Miss Dorothy Stairs will sing tho world-famous ballad, “Mother * Machree.” The box plana are now open at Berryman’s music store, where seats may be reserved; theatre phono 5050.