ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2981, 16 November 1923, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PALACE. '•-.MINNIE." Minnie, the homeliest girl in town devotes her life to work and her father, a discouraged inventor who has been trying for years to perfect a device that will conduct all work by wireless. In some of the greatest comedy scenes that the screen has caught, Minnie, brought to bay by the sneers of neighbours, decides to " invent " a lover. She writes herself love letters and sends herself flowers until Minnie's mysterious "fellow' becomes a byword in town. Her catty stepsister suspects the truth and threatens to expose her. Desperate, she claims an unidentified body at the morgue as her lover and reiterates the story to the newspaper reporter, quite ignorant of the fact that the body is that of a Chinaman. Beneath her unlovely exterior Minnie hides a heart of gold that the absentminded newspaper reporter is quick to recognise and he " forgets" all about the big storj. Minnie's father continues to meet disappointments in quick order and his \vif*r Minnie's stepmother, decides to leave him. By a turn of fortune the invention comes through. Minnie's father is turned into a rich man and the residents who helped finance him share in his fortune. Minnie's stepsister, a chewing gum salesman who is the village cutup aind others are much interested in the handsome couple who arrive for the celebration that marks the arrival of good luck. Their amazement is increased when they learn that it is Minnie and her husband, the former newspaper reporter, who has gone to science to turn physical ugliness into ' beauty. With fine scorn Minnie repays her enemies for every injustice that has been heaped upon her. The couple receive the old inventor's blessings. Minnie's stepmother, wlio has returned to share in the windfall, it told to " See a lawyer " by uie long suffering- hushand. The change in th l: new r ly-marrled couple has been accomplished by a wealthy physiciai. who has specialised in this branch o, facial surgery and has succeeded :ti turning the proverbial ugly ducklings into swans. The Leather Pushers ana a gazette are also showing KOSY. " STEPPING FAST." Then follows a series of adventures thrilling and replete with turbulent action so characteristic of 'Mix pictures. The cowboy is shanghaied and carried to Hong Kong, but arrives several days later than the member* of the criminal band who a.re holding the daughter of the scientist a prisoner. His search for Helen leads Grant Malvern to the Yellow Lantern, the rendezvous of the gang. He is thrown into a subterranean dungeon. However, through the aid of the American sailors who were his shipmate* aboard the boat on the trip to China, Grant and Helen are set free. Thr return trip to America is made on the fast yacht of Commodore Simpson. The party arrives in San Francisco and rushes to the site of the mine, only to discover that th e crooks have arrived .first. Then follows a hand to hand fight i n the cliffs in which Grant and his sailors put the thugs to flight While riding away from the cliffs Grant slips the ring which he wears over Helen's finger, on which there is another ring exactly like his own, and she agrees to be his partner for life, as well as in th e ownership o. Hie mine. Claire Adams has the leading lady's part. A Lee kids coinccry and th 0 serial are also shoAving. CECILY TABOR'S RECITAL. To-night at 7.45 o'clock sharp the curtain rises on the sixth annual spectacular production of Cecily Tabor and her talented pupils. A long and varied programme of dancing, singing, sketches and tip-to-the-minute novelties, in which over 250 children are taking part, has been in active preparation for the, past six months, 'and patrons are assured of a rare treat. On account of the unusual length of the programme, no recalls will be given and please remember it starts at 7.45. Over 900 beautiful costumes are used in the production, There will be a change of programme on Saturday evening, and a special matinee will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2.30 to which children will be admitted to all parts for 1/; adults 2/. '

THE GERTRUDE ELLIOTT COMPAIYY. r WILLIAM MOLLINSON. . A RARE ACTOR. s In the visit of Miss Gertrude Elliott, Australasia is doubly favoured since the celebrated star is supported by the famous artist, Mr William Mollison, the most versatile actor on the English stage. Mr Mollison is ths son of the great tragedian of the same name, who, for so many years, was the heavy lead in Sir Henry Irving's company. The son has not only inherited the father's genius, but he has glorified It by a capacity for versatile work which is remarkable. As juvenile lead, comedian and cfiaraacter actor he has scored emphatic successes. In "Smiling' Through" he presented a truly amazing study of an embittered old man, wMle in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" ho secured a triumph as a frivolous young French aristocrat whose drunken scene in the last act Mr Oscar Asche described as the cleverest he had ever seen on any stage. And in addition Mr Mollison is producer of the company,, and in his leisure often makes a.n excellent score at golf, of whioh ancient game Miss Elliott herself is also an .accomplished devotee.