ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2340, 9 January 1926, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT. ZANE GREY’S "CODE OF THE WEST.” Georgie Stockwell, a flapper, comes to the West for her health. On the ranch of the Thurman’s, whore she stays, everyone makes love to her. One man alone does not outwardly succumb to her charms. Ho loves her, however, but hates her flapper ways. Finally, to bring her to her senses, ho (adopts cave man. tactics and marries her. She then realises that she loves him, and after a sensational climax, all ends happily. PALACE THEATRE. "The White Sister,” the great-Metro-Goldwyn production will be screened in Palmerston North for the last time this evening. Produced on a magnificent scale, the film Is said to be one of the greatest artistic triumphs in the history of the screen. Lillian Gish is claimed to have incomparably the most outstanding role of her remarkably brilliant career. It is her work combined with the masterly directing of Henry King that is responsible for the picture’s triumphant beauty, including authentic views of old Italian castles and famous buildings, and glimpses of the wide expanse of the desert under the pale light of the moon. Among the spectacular scenes are those showing an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

OPERA HOUSE. “WINDS OF CHANCE." .. . ORCHESTRAL MATINEE TO-DAY AT 2. “Winds of Chance,” by Rex Beach, which is to appear in its screen form at the Opera House to-day, deals with the adventures of seven unique characters, all participants in thestruggle for gold Poelon the giant French packer; Pierce Phillips, an American boy who falls a victim to sharpers and is forced to earn his way to happiness and success; Countess Courteau, an energetic woman whom Phillip loves; Sam Kirby and his daughter Roulc-tta, bent on making one. more stake and then enjoying life, but who meet unexpected reverses .and Tom and Jerry, two inseparable but Incessantly fighting prospectors. "Winds of Chance” is the first of the 1326 special attractions by First National; when we remember pictures like “The Sea Hawk” which, by the way, was produced by Frank Lloyd, the same director and ‘Ashes of Vengeance,” "Secrets,” It shows the quality of First National specials. The fifteenth birthday souvenir of the popular “Gaumont Graphic” la also shown, while Miss Hancock’s orchestra adds to the success of the entertainment with Its Incidental music.

‘UP THE LADDER” AND *** a. ‘ AT THE KOSY. A picture . thousands have been anxiously waiting to see Is to be presented at the Kosy Theatre tonight. It is the screen version of “Chickie,” Elenoro Meherin’s sensational newspaper serial novel. The entire production has been supervised by John Francis Dillon, director of First National’s wonder of the .screen "The Lost World.” The star cast, headed by Dorothy Mackaill in the title role, contains names that are well-known wherever pictures are shown. In thus cost are John Bowers Hobart Bosworth, Myrtle Stedman, Gladys Brockwell, Olive Tell, Paul Nicholson, Lora Sonderson and Louisa Mackintosh., “Up- the Ladder,” the Universal-Jewel feature, starring Virginia Valli, pow lj|eing (screened at the Kosy Theatre, js the adaptation of the smashing melodramatic stage success of the sam ( e name from the pen of Owen Davis, holder of the Pulitzer prize for, , one of his plays. This vehicle was chosen for Miss Valli because it offers,, a splendid opportunity for her'to display her histrionic abilities as a rare emotional actress. The cast Includes Margaret Livingstone. George Fawcett, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Priscilla Moran and Olivo Ann Alcorn. The ever-popular Charles Chaplin will also be see In “The Cure.” guy" BATES POST. Guy Bates Post, the famous actor who will make his first appearance at the Opera House, Palmerston North, next Saturday night, has the reputation of being the greatest interpreter of humkn emotions on the stage to-day, and he is credited with having the same dominant power to sway audiences ns was possessed by the late Sir Henry Irving and the late Richard Mansfield. “In whatever role ho appears Post is always artistically ‘right’,” wrote a leading Australian critic recently, “for he possesses the strength and poise and charm of an actor whose art has been brought to the highest pitch of unobstrusive perfection.” Mr. Post’s opening production will be “The Masquerader,” and in both the actor and the play theatre-goers will find awaiting them one of those rare threatrlcal delights that come only opco in a very long while. “The Masquerader” is the stage adaption of Katherine Thurston’s well-known novel, “John Chileote M.P.,” and the story centres round a drug-weakened politician who persuades his poor but brilliant “double.” John Lodcr, to impersonate him in the House of Com-r mens for an important session. As a result of Chilcote’s continued debauch

I.oder is compelled to keep up the masquerade for a longer term than ( was originally intended, and a series of powerful situations results. Mr. 1 Post portrays the dual roles of Chil- j cote and Loder .and his characterisations are said to be so wonderful that it la the one actor playing the two roles. Among the supporting artists are the Misses Eileen Sparks, Cecil; Haines, Jean Athol. Nellie- Mortyne. j Elsie May, Loye Green, and Messrs.' Winniugton Barnes, Ashton Jarry, Leslie Victor, Eric Maxon, Richard Webster, Fred Francis, William Pass-, more and Cyril Wender. ( On Thursday, January 21, Mr. Post i will be seen in William Archer's, gorgeous Indian drama “The Green j Goddess” and on Friday, January 23, he will appear in the brilliant comedy drama, “The Bad Man.” Particulars regarding applications for permanent first night seats appear elsewhere in this issue. The ordinary box plans will open at the Opera House, at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

THEATRE INNOVATION. ~ .'•V V‘> PERMANENT FIRST-NIGHTERS. Theatre patrons will doubtless be pleased to know that J. C. Williamson (N.Z.). Ltd., intend bringing Palmerston North into line,, from, the' theatrical point of view, with the capital cities of Australia and New Zealand, by inaugurating the permanent first night system in this town. The new scheme will fittingly be brought into operation with the visit of the great dramatic star, Guy Bates Post, and J. C. Williamson (N.Z.), Ltd., have arranged for Permanent First Nighters-’ scats to bo ballottcd for next Wednesday at noon at the Opera House. A small representative committee (including representatives, from the City Council), will supervise the ballot, and the first applicant . whose naxnei.s drawn will have the first'..choice of seats on the plan. Any person jjlio fills in an application form and is un-, able to be present at the ballot rpay authorise a. proxy tp, select the fieats or may see, the plan after this ballot is over. By becoming permanent firstnighters, theatregoers are saved the fatigue of standing in. queues, for they ore allotted the same good seats tor the first night of every .J. Q. > William son production ; in the town, vßefore the ordinary box plans opens, the first-nighters’ seats are marked off. and the tickets put aside for the own-: ers who may thus call for them ..at, their leisure. Everywhere that, the. system has been tried in Australia and New Zealand it has proved highly successful and popular. J. C. William/-, son (N.Z.), Ltd., announce that the Palmerston North theatrical season will open with the visit \oi Guy Bates Post. th 0 greatest dramatic actor who has ever appeared in the Dominion. Among other J. C. Williamson attractions during the year will be "Leaveit to Jane,” “Betty,” *,’Primrose,”' “Katja the Dancer," "Rose-Marie,”? "“Polly With a Past,” “The Wife” and the Dion Bouclcauit Company. Permanent first-nighters’ application forms may be .obtained At,,the Opera- House,* and,-...-when? filled =4n. should too forwarded t 0 ,3. C. Williamson (N.Z.), Ltd., Opera Ilouso, Ralmertsoa North. , ,