ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2728, 10 July 1925, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY. TWO GOOD DRAMAS. In "The Gaiety Girl,” now showing at the Kosy, May Philbin plays the role of a modern aristocratic English girl in the hew picture, a dramatic iov e tale laid about the famous Gaiety theatre of London. She and her grandfather, last of a race of former kings, arc forced by poverty from their ancestral castle, and to recoup the family- fortunes she joins the chorus at the Gaiety, whence so .many chorus girls marry noblemen and often subsequently All the London papers with divorce gossip. Tricked by a lie into an odious marriage, then to find that he lover, supposed dead is ! really alive, she is cast into a ipaelstrom of conflicting destines. The story is as appealing as “Merry-Go-Round,” her first big success, but is intensely dramatic, and with a hovery shadow of mystery and an ancient tradition ,as a background. In “The Truth About Women,” a Rathe all star drama the heroine is a woman who suffers and endures much. She lives for her husband and baby. Then another woman upsets their love nest •by enmeshing her husband in a love affair that finally wrecks the household. After the parting of the ways, the baby dies, but the woman,—the unhappy mother —is inspired by another man, a writer who in his efforts to help her, falls madly In love with her. The novelist helps her obtain professional success and she becomes the toast of the town and the result is her husband makes every effort to win back her love. What happens is cleverly told amid realistic scenes and some wonderfully conceived climaxes. PALACE. NORMA TiALMADGE’S “SECRETS” Youth, maturity, middle age and old age—are all depicted by Norma Talmadge, who lives a whole lifetime in one film for the first time in her varied experience. In “Secrets,' which is now showing at the Palace, Miss Talmadge is first seen as a young girl, clandestinely in love with a young clerk employed by her father. When her love affair is found out, she elopes with her chosen mate and next is seen as a young wife and mother in the back-blocks whore she is scon bravely bearing up under adverse circumstances. Later her husband has amassed a fortune and she is back again amid scenes of wealth and cultured people, but success has alienated her husband a.nd we see her as a lonely middle-aged woman submitting with great fortitude the philanderings of her lionised husband. Lastly she is to be seen as an old woman sick abed and some most pathetic scenes are enacted at this stage of a really beautiful story. Norma Talmadge excels herself in ‘'Secrets,” with Eugene O’Brien in a big part and several other well-known screen performers in the filling roles this can rightly be styled a First National special attraction. Jack Dempsey in the second of his "Fight and Win” scries has the lead in the only other picture showing, a two-reel sporting comedy after the manner of the "Leather Pushers." The music by Miss Hancock's orchestra is a feature of this programme. PARAMOUNT. The Foreign Legion, that famous, and at the same time notorious regiment of missing men enlists tile out casts of every country. Foreigners stranded in France, convicts fleeing from the law, broken down young aristocrats, anyone and everyone who can pass the physical examination. It takes them all without question, trains them in the most cruel school In the world, and either kills them or turns them into soldiers who are the finest in the world, and possibly the most unhonoured for their valour, for well does the Legion know that the man who doesn’t care whether he lives or dies fights as no man can who wants to live. Gloria Swanson’s new Paramount production, “Wages of Virtue,"' is a notable story of life in the Legion. Ben Lyon, her leading man, plays the. role of a young legionaire who Is condemned to a torturous punishment. In the" scene where he is one of the panting, straining, gasping wretches, Lyon achieves what is probably his finest piece of realism. His next step will bring him crashing to the ground; his next, suffering minute will be Tns last. That is the conviction of the spectator as he is swept by his emotions from his sheltered civilisation to live for a moment among the broken exstenee of the men of the Foreign Legion. “Wages of Virtue” is now showing at the Paramount Theatre. Some particularly fine supporting films are being screened, while the Paramount, select orchestra will provide incidental music. The box plans are at Swallow’s.

Think of it! James Kirkwood. Doris Kionyon. Robert, Edeson, Mary Carr, Edmund Broese and Russell Griffin all in the same picture. It’s "You Are Guilty,” commencing at the ParaI mount Theatre on Monday next. When You Are Guilty’ ’is presented at this popular house the public will witness one of the biggest sensations in filmdon. It has been enthusiastically praised in every city where it has been played. “You Are Guilty,” those words pronounced by the Court wrecked the life of an innocent man, sent him from the girl he loved, sent him from the mother that adored him. and made him a world wanderer on life’s highway. Would you accept the promise of a confessed thief and allow him to induce you to take his guilt on your shoulders to save from shame those you loved ? This is the problem that confronts Steve Martin (played by James Kirkwood). The fallacy of convicting a man on circumstantial evidence is clearly shown in the picture. It’s the sort of moiton picture that will hold your interest from beginning to end. In, conjunction with the all-star picture programme is a bewildering performance by Chun Yuen Tai. His performance wdlh silks, dice and other paraphernalia is very startling and the Eastern atmosphere of his act is never absent. Chun Yuen Tai has had great experience in the world of mystery having for years been associated with the leading magicians of the Far East so that he ranks among the greatest now. Those seeking an entertainment full of mystery, merit and magic should avail themselves of the opportunity next Monday of witnessing this great performer. Special music will bo rendered by the Paramount Select Orchestra. The bos plans arc at C. G. Swallow’s. ‘‘THE CREATION.” A famous musical critic has said, “the Creation never fails to charm us by Its bright melody and sunny Imagery. It seems the outpourings of a spirit ingenuous, unsophisticated and exultant in child-like faith in Nature’s God—a great sacred birdsong of Jubilance and praise to the Creator of

things animate and inanimate —ra tribute to the Hand of Love and Order that regulates the Music of the Spheres.” This is the ,work, that will be adequately presented by the combined Choral and Orphans Societies together with a specially fine orchestra. In all well over 100 persons are taking part while the artists have all gained a Dominion reputation. Taking all together the performance on Wednesday promises to be the finest yet presented by the Society. The box office at Bennett’s has been kept very busy and patrons are recommended to make early application. LONG TACK SAM. The famous Chinese juggler, Long Tack Sam, with a completely new company, and supported by several very fine vaudeville acts, appear at the Opera House, PaLcperston North on Tuesday evening next for one night only. Since his last appearance here Long Tack Sam has visited China and secured a number of new acts, besides new artists. Madame Long Tack Sam and Misses Poldl and Miro Long are still appearing with the company. In a magnificent setting of Chinese draperies, which ho brought back with him, and which, together with costumes, cost the star within the neighbourhood of eight thousand pounds, the troupe maintains the keenest interest of the audience for nearly an hour. The. J. C. Williamson acts supporting the star are all of international repute. Direct from America arc the Novello Brothers, musical and acrobatic clowns. These two clever Frenchmen played at the Winter Garden at New York, where the midnight shows of America are produced. Their -imitation of th e courtship, quarrel and reconciliaton of two birds is described as astounding. Another newcomer is Chris. Charlton, billed as the “Royal Illusionist.” who is assisted in his act by Dorothy Browne, He presents what are called “Deceptions of 1925.” It is a bombardment of wonders from beginning to end. Specially and classical dancers are Errol Addison and Gertrude Mitrenga. Direct from the Palace Theatre, New York, are Moran and Wiser, described as “Hilarious Hat Spinners,” a vaudeville skit “All in Fun.” Arthur Mayes, a basso cantante, is a singer of the latest popular ballads. The company had a wonderfully successful time in Auckland, when all through the season of ten nights and three matinees crowded and enthusiastic houses were the order. One Auckland critic says: ‘‘A now standard in variety entertainment *s set by the Long Tack Sam Comp any whoso previous reputation was -esponsible for .filling every scat in rhe house. A nc.ro satisfied- audience than that which loft the theatre on Saturday night would be difficult to picture.” Again in Wellington the company enjoyed a wonderfully successful time. The box plans open on Monday next at Oates’ Music Stores.