ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2006, 23 December 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KOSY. "FELiNI O'DAY" AND CHAPLIN. The role of "Felix O'Day" seems (o have been specially made for H. B. Warner, though, as it is adapted from a well known novel by Hopkinson Smith, that could hardly be. Anyhow it is a peculiarly happy choice for t'he talented and polished English actor, and one that displays him to thfc uttermost advantage. The story has punch and verity to back it. up. dealing with a theme that is not new in itself, but is presented in a novel and entirely interesting manner. The triangle- of husband, foolish easily-per-suaded wife, and false friend, is here, but the climax when Warner as O'Day trails his virtim over the world and finally uonfronts him with a terrible vengeance, has nothing stereotyped about it, and will long be remembered as one of the most vivid bits of acting the screen has given us. Admirable production and a splendid cast help to make this one of the worth while photoplays of the season. "Patricia Brent, Spinster." also showing is a great little British comedv drama, showing London life during the Zeppelin raids. The charm, the humour and the realities outlined in Herbert Jenkins* book arc kept in the picture. The Chaplin comedy is very amusing, and trio serial most exciting.

PALACE. "ISOBEL," OR "THE TRAIL'S END." A screen play adapted from a James Curwood story has never failed to be rich in entertainment values. Of all his documents which have reached the silver sheet none have come to it with the breadth, the humanities, the real, ities of "Isobel, or The Trail's End." House Peters and Jane Novak are the featured players in an all-star cast. It strikes us as a better picture than "The River's End," because it is more consistent in theme and characterisation. It has a power, a grip, a spirit. ual note and lifelike dimensions which are caught by the spectator, so much so, that one forgets the lapse of time —forgets the environment —and is truly transported to the Hudson Bay district itself. As gripping as its story which builds evenly and surely to powerful climaxes —climaxes which contain twists and surprises, and keep one guessing at the outcome. —it is the manner in which it is developed which makes it stand forth so resplendently. He has collected a marvellous array of backgrounds. With a rrood comedy, a Gazette, and an educational film also showing, this should prove a popular week-end programme.

"FIREFLY" TO-NIGHT. After the impression made by the members of the Company who appeared here on Friday last in "The Lilac Domino," it can be readily understood why Palmerston North theatre-goers are waiting: on tip-toe for the time/to come when the same company make their reappearance to-night at the Opera House, in their other successful comic opera, "Firefly." The first scene is a wharf with a beautiful private yacht lying alongside and just about to depart for some desert island with the whole of the members of the company on board, which includes a bevy of beautiful girls, the rather terrible chaperone, who is full of gush and determination to hook the hero's uncle; the cheerful idiot of a private secretary; the jolly uncle who straigh. tens out everybody's love tangle, and weaves his own; and the usual irresponsible crowd that collects on the quay in time to "hooray" the passengers when they trip along to the gang, way. Everybody is thoroughly at home in the giddy crowd of tourists, and if they are not they do not remain that way very long, for the private secretary is of the type that would break up the stiffness of any party. All the favourites that appeared in "The Lilac Domino" are in "Firefly," including Rene Maxwell, Claude Flemming, George Geo, Hugh Stevne, Edith Drayson, Lou Vernon, Marie Eaton, Male Baird and Archie Thompson. The augmented orchestra will be under the baton o! Mr Cass Downing. "Firefly" musically is very strong and contains some wonderful gems some of them being "Love is Like a Firefly," "Giannina," "Tlie Dawn of Love," "In Sapphire Seas," "The Beautiful Ship from Toyland," the latter being sung by Mr Lou Vernon and the full male chorus, and "Sympathy," a duet, which is charmingly sung and done by Mr Claude Flemming and Miss. Edith Grayson. The box plan for to-night's performance is on view at Oates' music store.