ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2779, 22 October 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROSY. “HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL.” Fear as a subject for comedy has been made the central idea of a delightful photoplay, “ His Back Against the Wall.” The picture with Raymond Hatton as the coward-hero, heads the bill at the Kosy Theatre to-day. “ His Back Against the Wall ” tells of the romance of a tailor’s assistant who went out West and became a veritable terror*. This is Hatton’s first leading role for Goldwyn; and his many admirers, will be more than elated at the remarkable performance given by this astonishingly versatile actor. Once he puts on his make up, the Inan disappears in the character he portrays That is the ultimate test of great acting. “ Torchy’s Feud,” a two-reel Johnny Hines comedy and four other pictures will also be included.

“ OLIVER TWIST ” COMING. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, at the Palace Theatre, the First National special attraction, “. Oliver Twist,” will be screened. When picture-producing companies get down to making pictures out or literary classics, they are on the right road to increase the clientele of the picture playhouses, as a picture like “Oliver Twist ” acted by th e wonderful little boy-actor Jackie Coogan, must appeal to every class, whether confirmed picture goers or stay-at-home readers. With such a combination as Charles Dickens in probably his most suitable work for dramatisation, First National, with its vast potentialities for producing the best, and little Jackie' Coogan to act the difficult role of th e little waif “ Oliver the result is a masterpiece of the screen that will live in the memory or all beholders for the length of their lives. The box plans open to-day at the Kosy,

PALACE. The management of the Palace point out in their advertisement, a fact that we have frequently noted—i.e., that when a public holiday comes round the programmes submitted at the Palace are nearly always well above average. We have wondered whether it was the luck of the circuit in which most of the film programmes revolv e or whether it Avar. “ more than chance ’ noev aa'c haA r e the explanation, AA r e commend Mr. Bennett fo. his foresight in the interests of th a town ’generally, because he coula easily keep back a good picture until a quiet Aveek comes round. “ While Satan Sleeps,” a Paramount sevenroelcr by Peter B. Kyno, featuring Jack Holt, as a devil-may-caa-c son or a parson, is spoken of as a very entertaining picture —lively and humorous Avith some thrills that can only he put in by an artist like Peter B Kyno. A Larry Semen two-reei comedy, " 'fhe Counter Jumper,” and a travelogue avIII also be shoAvn.

“THE GEISHA.”

MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON.

Ihe outstanding attraction to local residents and tho many visitors to the town during Show Week, will be the flve-night production by the local Amateur Operatic Society of the charming musical comedy, “The Geisha.” Under the very able direction of Mrs Hulmc, the opera is rapidly taking shape, and the active members are keenly alive to what is required of them. The rehearsals are well attended and great attention is being given to all the many details which go to make a success if faithfully carried out. The box plan opens to honorary members on Tuesday morning, at Mr C, G. Swallow's, at 9 a m., and the public are notified that they can obtain membership privileges on Tuesday morning, by paying one‘guinea at tho box office. This privilege should be taken advantage of this year as in past seasons. The plan will be avail, able to the general public on Wednesday morning next.

“DICK WHITTINGTON” PANTOMIME, OPERA HOUSE, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NEXT The ingredients.of a good pantomime consist of a pretty nursery story, abundance of rollicking comedy, \ number of bespangled dancingu girls colourful scenery, delightful and extravagant dresses, a glittering ensemble, the whole flavoured with romance and served up brightly with melodious trimmings. All these are to be found in Tano Fama’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington.” Before proceeding to Now Zealand, the nantomime was presented in Newcastle (N.S.W.) and the newspapers were highly eulogistic, one of them going as far as to say that they had never seen such » splendid cast outside of metropolitan productions. "In Mr Ted Stanley,” continued the paper, “the pantomime has a genius at fun-mak-ing. His dame impersonation was one of the funniest things we have ever seem.” Miss Sadie Tilburn, the principal boy, has her full share of shapeliness, vivacious manner, and the rare gift among principal boys—a splendid voice. George Edwards, who, is King Rat, has a weird make.up, is an actor in an actor’s part, and has everybody hating “King Rat” before he has been on the stage many minutes. The donkey and the cat, portrayed respectively by Mr Frank Kavallo and Master Jackie Cass, are

realistic animals. Of the scenic offerings "The Lovers’ Walk” is a feast of beautiful flowers, which vies with “The Tropical Isle” and “The Palace of Jewels" for pride of place in a number of gorgeous scenes. Box plans will open at Oates’ Music Store on Wednesday next.