ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3247, 18 January 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

BENNETT'S PICTURES, Mr. H. E- Bennett, lessee of the Opera House, has secured a fine run of pictures so far and the chief attraction for to-day, "My Friend the Devil,” should prove to be another draw, Georges Olmet, a famous French novelist, wrote the story under the name of "Doctor Rameau” and In'lts day It was 1 one of the best sellers and translated in almost every known language. The subject is faith healing and this picture throws a new light on this much-dlscmssed subject. Dealing with the redemption of an athlcst, It hits home forcibly to those who do not believe in a higher power. Apart from the merits of hte programmes shown at the Opera House. Hr. feennett’s venture deserves every success for many reasons, some of which are alluded to in his advertisement on page one in this Issue, but apart from those mentioned the town owes it to Mr. Bennett to patronise him for what ho has done for Palmerston North in the past. When he first came to Palmerston North early in 1915, this town, along with others, was nearly at a standstill owing to the war, bpt Mr. Bennett had sufficient faith to get a company together to build the Kosy Theatre. This stirred up. other factions, and both Everybody's and the Palace were quickly built in opposition. Mr. Bennett has always done his utmost to get possible pictures for his theatres and given the picture-goers the best in music that could be pro-, cured—-the Palace orchestra particularly, was a to him and the town end now that the players have gone ever to the dpera House to he with Mr. Bennett in his new venture on his own account, music-lovers are sure of a harmonic treat when pictures are being shown, at the Opera House. Mr. Bennett is also wellknown as an energetic man and several institutions in Palmerston Nprth have benefited by his support. The very latest In biograph equipment ha® now been Installed In the operating box at the Opera House so that the management's claim to being “the Best Show in Town" is not aa Idle boast. PARAMOUNT. ■ %. ''SOARAMOUCHB,"

Td-nlght will witness the premier presentation of fcho great picture “Bcaramoacha” at the Paramount theatre. Palmerston North patrons have waited patiently for this attraction and they are not going to bp disappointed, for ‘‘Scaramouch.©,” though of an entirely different order, is probably the most Important screen event since “The Ten Commandments.’’ It is a Metro picture, released by the same company as handled the latter mentioned attraction Paramount ?lox Ingram, whoso name became a by-word as a film producer after “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,’’ made "Scaramouch'll, ffom the most popular of all Rafael Sabatlnl’s works. “Scaramouche” is a story Of the French Revolution, that most chaotic period in the history ojf the French Empire. The leading role is played by Ramon Novarro, who plays the character Andre Louis Moreau, an aristocrat, wh if takes up the side of the Revolutionists. Alice Terry, and Lewis Stone are also in the main cast and there are super-nurrlerary to the number,of ton thousand players in the mob scenes. Throughout the whole story there is a fragrant love story, none the less fascinating because the characters move In ohivalric times. Ramon Novarra is a. lover as well as a fighter. In book form “Scaramouch o,” it will be remembered, won the £2500 prize as, the best story produced in 1925. No pains have been spared in making the picture do Justice to the book. “Soaramouche” bos plans are. now open at Swallow’s There will be daily matinees for this picture and children will be admitted at half-price at these matinees only.

MARGARET DE LA MOTTE AND WILLIAM RUSSELL IN “THE BELOVED BRUTE,” AND ERANKLYN PABNCM IN “THE BANDIT TAMER” AT THE KOSY. “The Beloved Brute," which will bo shown at ihe Kosy theatre to-day, is an exciting tale cf a hard-fisted brute and his regeneration, which is effected, not by evangelistic workers making emotional appeals, but by sheer strength of another rugged fighting man, whose fists prove even harder than “The Brute’s" own. There is a girl In the story, too, and it is for love that the two giants match their strength. Marguerite de la Motte, as 'the captivating heroine, furnishes in her personality a very logical reason why two brawny, red-blo'oded men should half-strangle each other. Victor McLaglen, in the title role, gives a performance, which, according to all accounts,. should give him a permanent high place in the admiration of all picture-goers. And everybody knows, of course, what a real he-man “Bill” Russell, who tames “The Brute,” Is. If you like your westerns served up fast and roaring and you like Some good comedy when you go to see a picture, you don’t want to skip up “The Bandit Tamer,” with Pranklyn Farnum, fop here is a picture that has both of these in abundant portions. The cast includes Marguerite Clayton. An excellent comedy, “Th e Haunted Honeymoon,” will also be screened. PALACE THEATRE. FUNERAL OP QUEEN ALEXANDRA. At the Palace Theatre to-night, admirers of the late Queen Mother will be given an opportunity oi witnessing the last scenes of her final passing, when the film depicting the funeral will bo shown as part of the regular programme. This exclusive [feature film will enable all to visualise the actual scenes as they occurred at gandlngham, and during the mournful Journey to the scene of the lying-In-State. Children of these days are thus given Bn opportunity of learning history while it is still in the making, instead o£ having to grind the hard

facts from, the dvy-as-dust history books which their parents were blessed with. To those of matnrer years this film will have an especial appeal, for, with them the memory of the belovea Queen will remain ever .fresh- end sweet. The screenings will be for 4 limited period of three nlghta, commencing on Tuesday.

•‘THE SEftEN OF SETTMjE.” What visions of bright sunlight, sweet-smelling flowers, beautiful women, and swarthy, flashing men are conjured up at the thought Of sunny Spain, the land of Manana and easy life all round. Spain, no less than other countries, has her sirens, who, while luring men away from their just, and due allegiance, at the same time inspire them to the doing Of doughty deeds of derrlng-do as a matter of everyday occurrence. "The Siren of Seville’’ is a wonderful spectacular film, showing scenes laid in the South of Spain, where live the valiant bullfighting men, and the women who adore them to their own undoing; Priscilla Dean is well-known to fllmdom as a finished actress, and in this picture she stands but supreme. The bullfighting scenes, of which there are three, are wonderful in their fidelity to detail and give a splendid insight into the national life of the pleasureloving Spaniards. There are some supporting films which call for more than passing attention. "Stereoscoptks” will be again screened for the edification of those who have not yet seen these very remarkable pictures. The mystery and artistry of those films will haffle the most enquiring mind, and leave the audience still in a state of wonderment.

“THE GREETS GODDESS.” Sensations topple ever one almost continuously in “The Green Goddess,” so full of startling thrills are the four acts. A big radio scene and an aeroplane bombardment are but a few of the many sensational happenings, and to delight the artistic senses there are wonderfully beautiful stage-settings and gorgeous Oriental costumes. “The Green Goddess,” with Guy Bates Posl as the infamous Hahxh of Hukh, will be presented by J. C. Williamson (N.Z.), Ltd., at the Opera House next Thursday night, mid on Friday, January 29, Guy Bates Post will make his final appearance In Palmerston North. The offering on that night will be the sparkling comedy, "The Bad Man.” The box plana are at the Opera House.