ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1638, 17 September 1920, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

Si INDEPENDENT PICTURES. r ‘The Way of the Strong,” the new Metro super-feature, which will head, the Independent Picture programme, | until the end of the week, is a virile drama of the Yukon, showing Anita Q. Nillson. In this picture the great actress is seen at the height of her dramatic and artistic art, and she is supported by an exceptionally talented caste. The story is of snowclad open spaces, where men carve their own destinies, and the way of the strong is law. A topical budget and two excellent comedies provide the rest of the picture programme. AMATEUR TRIALS. To-night the three Charlie Chaplins Will show their paces at the Opera House in the Independent Pictures trials, and their “stunts” should prove amusing to picture patrons, who have been tickled to laughter by the original Charlie. Though last night’s entry in the toe dancing competition was cut down to three, each of the competitors gave an artistic interpretation of the dance selected. The innovation proved very popular with the audience. Little Miss Vivian Healey was selected as the winner by popular vote.

ROSY.

“BOOTS” and SERIAL FINAL. “Boots” is a Paramount picture that should please audiences in any town. The story is fraught with interest. Miss Gish has a role in “Boots” that gives her much scope for the kind of humour with which she has won audiences in "Hearts of the World” and other plays. She is not only young, dainty, charming and magnetic, but is endowed with histrionic talents of a high order. The final of “The Man of Might” finishes up quite satisfactorily, as all longstory films should. The management has taken advantage of the occasion to launch a new serial, “The Mystery of 13,” and if chapter one is any guide this promises to eclipse all previous serials in real excitement. EVERYBODY’S. IVY CLOSE (Famous Beauty.) The play of this name, “The Flag Lieutenant,” produced some years ago with Cyril Maude in the lead, achieved great success, and the film version adapted from W. P. Drury and Leo Trevor's popular drama, has all the advantage that must inevitably accrue through the tamo of the original drama. It presents a simple story containing elements that always make a strong appeal to the sympathetic public. A self-denying hero, who is ready to forfeit everything lie prizes most in order to repay a debt of gratitude to a friend —love scenes, comedy touches, and situations in which the emotion of the moment is always at a high temperature, embodies some excellent backgrounds and very effective photoplay. Ivy Close, the famous English actress, who recently won the world’s beauty competition, is the principal actress, with George Wynn as Dicky Lascelles. The music is appropriate, and supports consistent with the star attraction. PALACE THEATRE. Leonard Nelson, cockney comedian, who will complete his season at the Palace Theatre this evening, is a vaudeville artist, possessing to a remarkable degree, the biggest essential to a one-man performance personal magnetism. Leonard in repose, is a big man with i\ quiet voice. Perhaps it is that because his voice is his fortune that he keeps it in reserve when he is not entertaining. In action Nelson carries with him an atmosphere of irresistible drollery, and his habit of taking his audience with him in refrains, whether they want to go or not, is reminiscent of Ada Reeve in her palmy days. With the orchestra to work in fine effects, NelSOll fills the stage for twenty minutes or so with sunshine and shadow. Ail ot his items are acceptable, and some of his performances outstanding. People who like a good, clean. breezy laugh, should see Leonard to-night—to-morrow will be too late, ihe pictuie programme includes “His Last halse Step,” a Mack Sennetr comedy, wiiu twelve laughs 1o the foot, in which Ford Sterling and Phyllis Haver, are responsible for the fun and tin* frolic. and "It Pays to Advertise, a 1 aramonnt comedy-drama, featuring Bo - ant Washburn.

SMART SET DIGGERS. “Tie Australian Smart, Set Diggers season * commences at the Opera House on Thursday next. So tar as female impersonation is concerned, n is reported as being - the stronges combination of its kind ever attempted, the Diggers’ ladies being not only numerically strong, but they are also credited with unusually clever imitations of the fair sex, while their dressing is reported as a revelation or good taste, extreme fashion and gorgeous display. Their opening programme is of remarkably varied nature, ranging from such items as Pagliacci pi ologue, arranged for three voices, to the latest ragtime crazes, special features being one scene burlesques o the “Country Girl,” “Camille and “Girls of Gottenburg,” items oi whicn Australian critics speak in the lughest Mi raise. A special feature ot th< programme 'will V>o an item on tit I* 1 * » Dress Parade, “An Issue from v Last,” in which "Omad Khyyani. s favourite wife, the ladies of the ' 1 * cm and Eastern slaves are rc - • ted as creating uproarious fun, r- -ved by the Danse Salome and otic Eastern specialties by leading “lady < Til: ties Holt, and his Digger ->rps de bn 11 el.