ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3256, 28 January 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

<a— '■» ■ ■ '■■■ •••• f. 0. WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE. Another company of international vaudeville stars from J. C. Williamson Theatres, Sydney and Melbourne, will appear at the Opera House next Saturday night for one night, presented by the New Zealand Entertainers Ltd. The company comes with a reputation from leading variety theatres of England, the Continent and America. The. acts have all been selected by special representatives of the J. C. Williamson firm. The head liner of the new company is the inimitable entertainer At the piano, Herschel Henlere, described as “this Mirthful Music Master.” Henlere recently played return visits to Sydney and Melbourne. One Sydney critic says: "Hen” has returned to us once more, and a a result it has been well nigh impossible to obtain a seat at the Tivoli since his reappearance. Sure sign of his unwaning popularity, and equally sure sign the public knows a good thing when It gets it If you ask people what they think of Hersohel Henlere, they usually sum it up in two concise words, “a genius.” The company includes Scott Sanders, a. London comedian and composer, who is the writer of that well-known song “On the Road to Anywhere.” Billed as amazing trapeze artists are the Aerial Benos, who feature a dive from the dome of the theatre by Alma- From the Continent are Lee Mason and Sunny, a bright musical act with a puzzle id it. A turn of wonder and delight is that of Fantasi, a novel contortionist Direct from their English successes are the Three Swifts, club juggling comedians, who present a hurricane club swinging act. A specially selected orchestra and appointments promise to make this combination the best yet sent from the J. C. Williamson vaudeville theatres. Lydia, and Desmond are dancers from the leading Continental theatres. The company had a wonderfully successful season in Wellington, where the Press says: “The best combination of vaudeville sent from J. C. Williamson Theatres.” The box plan opens to-day at Opera House. Note.—The recent ballot taken for first nighters will not affect the box plan for N.Z. Entertainers Ltd.

A NOVEL COMEDY. Guy Bates Post, the world-famed actor whose season in this city is provV ing the greatest dramatic treat that theatre-goers here have ever experienced, will be seen in a dlightful comedy role tomorrow night at the Opera House, when "The/ Bad Man" will have its premiere in this city. 'Pancho Lopez—otherwise known as > - “the bad man" —is regarded by Syd- . ney critics as the masterpiece of Mr. Post’s marvellous characterisations, I. and the Sydney “Sun” critic declared that the great actor’s study of Lopes was the finest piece of character-act-ing ever seen on any Australian stage. ‘ Pancho Lopez Is a decidedly novel type of “bad man.” He observes no laws but those of his own making; he draws a gun on the slightest provocation; he robs and plunders at will; but ho has two excellent characteristics — he is loyal to his friends, and he possesses a sense of humour. ConseJ quently, when he discovers that the / young ranch-owner he intended to rob Is a man who once did him a good turn, he promptly takes it on Jilmself i to play the role of good angel and Cupid combined. Messrs. Leslie Vlc- [. tor and Ashton Jarry have outstand- ! ing comedy roles, and the cast also ,Includes the Misses Ellleen Sparks, Cecil Haines, and Messrs. Eric Max- ( on, Richard Webster, Winnlngtoh Barnes, pierald Pring, William Passmore, Fred Francis, Cyril Wender,

Arthur Watson and Harold Brumfield. The lighting effects in “The Bad Man” are said Jo be particularly charming. The box plan is on view at Q. H. Bennett Co. Ltd.

BINGING DOG WONDER.

DAME CLARA BUTT’S PUPIL The most remarkable Pekinese dog In the world is at Hampstead, London. i He accompanies his mistress wherever she goes. This dog is Mr. Shmee, and belongs to Dame Clara Butt. His claim to general fame and to a unique ■ position in the word of dogs rests on his ability to sing. All dogs can howl, but Mr. Shmee can sing. Within a certain range yet, one beyond the reach of most amateur singers, he can follow Dame Clara Butt as she prac- * ticea the scales. Note for note each is a pure and in its way as effortless and entrancing as that uttered by his mistress. He will not begin to sing by himself. He •requires some encouragement, some assurance that it will be a concert at which he may worthily appear. When Mr. Shmee has properly flexed his throat muscles he sits down and pours forth a stream of melody. A blind

man might easily believe that a pupil 'of Dame Clara Butt was following her bp and down the scale. There is no trace of dogginess in Mr. Shmee’s singing. There are no flat notes reminiscent of moonlight nights and a flute at the street corner. Mr. Shmee has a better ear for music than most human beings. Mr. Kennerley Ruraford, the popular English baritone, was recently interviewed in his home in Hampstead, London, and said, “My wife and I always find it easier to sing in Australia than in any other par t of the world. Our experience, therefore, suggests that the climate is very helpful to a singer. As a child Dame Clara Butt loved songs with deep full notes: but

the great singer also had a big compass and could sing soprano and mezzo soprano songs, and her singing mistress generally gave her songs of this type. One day while Dame Clara Butt was amusing herself at home her teacher, who was the head mistress of the High School, called to see her mother. Hearing her singing from an adjoining room her teacher said: “Your boy's got a nice voice.” Dame Clara Butt’s mother was very much amused. She explained that the singer was not a boy, but her daughter Clara.

The number of booking applications jeceived by Messrs. J, and N, Tait have

exceeded all expectations, and a good season is assured throughout New Zealand. Interest is manifested in the concert to be given in the Opera House, Palmerston North, on Monday, February 8. The box plan opens next Wednesday morning at G. H. Bennett The famous singers w r ill be supported by a celebrated solo pianist, Mdlle. Marie Antoinette Aussenac, who played before -the King at Buckingham Palace three days before sailing for Australia. The accompanist with the party is Mr. Roy Ellett, who is considered one of the best pianists in England.

BIG CROWDS TO SEE “SALLY OF THE SAWDUST." When Mr. H. E. Bennett made the announcement that he h & d nothing to fear in the way of getting good pictures, it was not expected that the quality provided would be what it is proving to be. '“Sally of the Sawdust _ is drawing crowds like The Gold Rush” did and that the picture-going public are pleased with it, is easily gauged by the increasing attendance ©ach night and the spontaneous laugh ter at the comicalities of W. C. Fields and Carol Dempster, whom D. W. Griffith chose as principals in his 10reel circus comedy. To-night will be the last screening and we advise an who enjoy a good laugh not to miss this one. The picture is really fine and is materially assisted by the splendid rendition of the special music supplied by United Artists to synchronise with the scenes on the ecraen.

PALACE THEATRE. “HIS SUPREME MOMENT.” When Palace Theatre sets out to obtain and screen a perpetual series of the best pictures extant, there is no doubt about the result! The screening to-night of the First National Production, “His Supreme Moment,” featuring Blanche Swael and Ronald Colman, is just an example of the every-night offering made by this very popular house of entertainment, for the pleasure of it’s patrons. Not only are the pictures shown consistently of high standard, but the offerings are perpetual, throughout each and every week of the year without break in the sequence. The presentation of tlie high quality films is always pleasing to those \who witness the various screenings, while the surroundings are all in keeping with the highest standard of Cinema Theatre excellence. The picture now being screened Is one which tells an unusual story of a strange love pact—perhaps the strangest ever made, and the featured artists are two great favourites with the screen loving public, Blanche Sweet and Ronald Colman will mako a team that is very hard to beat, and they are ably supported by the other members of the cast in providing, ror the entertainment of the Palmerston North public, one of the best pictures we have yet had the pleasure of seeing. No feature picture is complete without good supports to provide variety, and surely never was good picture better supported than is “His Supreme Moment.” The scenic film illustrates the railway journey from Skagway to Alaska, and Is a very fine piece of photography, while the comedy reaches a standard seldom attempted. An up-to-date Qaumom Graphic completes the list. Musical arrangements are in the capable hands of Miss Eileen Woodfleld, L.T.C.L., L.A.8., and the Palace Trio renders music of the highest possible standard throughout the screening each evening.

PARAMOUNT. '•THE CROWDED HOUR.” For combining real laughs, thrills and actionful drama, “The Crowded Hour," starring Bebe Daniels, which opens at th e Paramount Theatre tonight, has probably one of the most popular stars that Paramount Films hag yet discovered. “The Crowded Hour" brings Miss Daniels to the screen In Ih e role of Peggy Laurence, a breezy telephone girl who, between “scusitplease” and “Hnesbusy” dreams of the daV when Broadway will see her name in bright lights—a deam that comes true when Kenneth Harlan, who, with T. Roy Barnes, heads the supporting cast in the picture, sees her at an amateur night on th 0 Bowery, and brings her and her partner (Barnes) to the notice of a prominent producer. It seems like a fairy tale to Bebe at first, and when she “comes to,” she naturally falls in love with her benefactor —and that’s how all the trouble starts. Billy Laidlaw (Harlan) is a married man. The World War separates Billy and Peggy in their mutual love affair. Laidlaw enlists in the engineers, and Peggy, just to be near him, goes across as a “Y” entertainer. It is behind the lines in France that the girl realises how selfish she has been, and the suffering and self-sacriflog she sees on every hand brings about her regeneration. Frank Morgan, Alice Chaplin and others appear in the cast. E. Mason Hopper directed.

JACK HOXTE IV “HIDIN' THUNDER,” AND IRENE CASTLE IN “SLIM SHOULDERS,” AT THE ROSY. The two-man tussle on the brink Of a high cliff ,one of the thrilling scenes In "Ridln’ Thunder,” the Blue Streak Western featuring Jhclc Koxle now showing at the Kosy Theatre, nearly sent the principals to the hospital following the fistic exhibition. The men were Jack Hoxle *lnd Jack Pratt. During the filming of the battle royal between Hoxle and Pratt,the two men “forgot” they were enacting a scene for a motion picture story and entered the engagement with nil the earnestness of amateur boxers. The result of the fight, despite their several injuries and bruises, has brought to “Rldin’ Thunder” the distinction of containing a film record of an actual encounter. “Ridin’ Thunder,” adapted from a story by B. M. Bower, is a powerful story of cattle rangers.. The second feature is "Slim Shoulders,” starring Irene Castle. ' In addition to rendering a fine performance, Mrs. Castle wears some glorious gowns, bathing suits, etc. There is an excellent comedy programme, and The Kpsy Orchestra.