UNKNOWN

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2000, 16 December 1921, Page 7

UNKNOWN

ROSY. "THE PASSION FLOWER" AND "LAUY NOGGS." Norma Talmadge justly deserves to be classed as one of America's greatest actresses of either stage or screen. This Is the conclusion of the writer, after viewing "The Passion Flower," which commenced at the Kosy Theatre. "The Passion Flower" is from Jacinto Benavente's play, in which Nance- O'Neil starred on Broadway, and the screen version compares most favourably with the stage drama. In it Norma Talmadge Is seen as Acacia, the daughter, whereas Nance O'Neil enacted the part of Raimunda, the mother. " Lady Noggs," also screening: at the Kosy, is adapted from Edgar Jepson's novel of the same name. The scenes are taken at a wonderful old English castle, which lends the necessary atmosphere to the plot. The story sparkles with rich humour, and contains moments of dramatic incident which are fascinating. It principally concerns the efforts of one Madam Karskovitch. a guest at Shomhill Castle, to /aptivate Lord Errington, the guardian of Lady Noggs. Noggs dislikes .Madam, and while arranging one match between her lady tutor and a curate, is disarranging the match between Madam and Lord Errington. How she eventually turns the tables on Madam Karskovitch, to the surprise of everybody at Shomhill, forms an interesting climax to the story. The serial is also showing.

INDEPENDENT PICTURES. AIADGE KENNEDY IN "STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL." It is certain that the people who saw the romantic Goldwyn picture, "Strictly Confidential," starring the beautiful Madge Kennedy, will have found in it plenty to recommend to their friends; an unusual story, drama, swift action, and exceptionally beautiful setting around old Bantock Castle. "Strictly Confidential" has some remarkable interpositions of humour, which adds considerably to its attractiveness. "LILAC DOMINO" TO-NIGHT. The big J. C. W. attraction, "The Lilac Domino," will be staged at the Opera House to-night. The fascination of Charles Cuvillier's haunting melodies and piquant scoring has much to do with the overwhelmingsuccess that ''The Lilac Domino" achieved in Australia, and it is with keen anticipation that local theatregoers await its presentation to-night. The story opens at a ball at which the masked Georgine, youthfully dainty in lilac and silver, falls asleep under partial intoxication. Awakened by a kiss stolen by her admirer, the Hon. Andre D'Dubigny, she escapes from the momentary snare to joyously meet him again in social life, whilst yet he is not sure of her identity with "the lilac domino." The necessary check on the path of true love springs from a foolish conspiracy between Andre and his penniless pals that the one of the trio who can marry the Clcvedon heiress (Georgine) shall keep the other two in funds. Befoi'c Andre is quite sure of his mysteriously loved "Lilac Domino," the secret is accidontly betrayed to her by a Spanish gipsy violinist, .leading to a splendidly effective finale _of scorn, sorrow, and protestation. This finale, splendidly given by all the principals concerned, and with a particularly strong and well-trained chorus under Mr Cass Downlng"s baton, forms the climax of the work, and it never falls to evoke a tornado of applauso. The company will return to Palmerston North next Friday, and present the musical comedy, "Firefly," that we have heard so much about. It comes with the reputation of being by the same author and composer as those successful operas, "Katlnka" and "You're in Love," which speaks volumes for the quality of "Firefly." The box plans for both operas are on view at Oates' Music Store.