ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3264, 6 February 1926, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. At Bennett’s pictures in the Opera House, the moving picture programme and music are much above average. “The Wheel," a seven-reel society drama starring Harrison Ford and Claire Adams, heads the list and with a good comedy and News makes ex* collent fare. RE All MONTE CARLO IX “ENEMIES OF WOMEN.” In “The Enemies of Women," Cosmopolitan Productions’ new superfeature, the public ■will have the opportunity to see on the screen what are said to be the most striking scenes ever made of Monte Carlo. In the popular romance by Vicente Blasco Ibanez, Monte Carlo and its renowned Casino play a prominent part. For this reason Cosmopolitan Prooductions sent the entire company making the picture to the resort io get the last touch in atmosphere. It Was not until Ibanez himself had arranged matters with the authorities at the Casino, however, that “shots” of it could be made. The resultant scenes of Monte Carlo with its Casino and beautiful Terrace are said to be the most perfect in detail that have ever been photographed. “Enemies of Women," which will be shown at the Opera House on Tuesday night next is reputed to be one of the biggest dramas ever made and is released in the Dominion as a First National super special with Lionel Barrymore, as a Russian princo and Alma Rubens cast as the most beautiful woman in Europe. The sinking of the “Lusitania” is one of the big melodramatic moments in this big eleven-reel feature,' - PARAMOUNT. "Adventure;" the new Paramount picture af the Paramount Theatre, is the latest of dramatic screen plays which Victor Fleming has produced and is from Jack London’s famous novel of the same name. It is a story so crowded with Incident and action, so replete with surprising developments and unexpected turns, that not for a moment does it fall to hold the attention and grip the Interest of the spectator. Photographically the picture is flawless, and scenically it leaves nothing to bo desired. ROSY. "Pool's Highway,” is a sincere pioturisatlon of Owen Kildare’s life history as described by him in his famous novel, “My Mamie Rose.” Mary Philbin as “Mamie Rose,” the little mender in the second-hand shop, achieves even greater heights as an emotional actress than the characterisation of the quaint, but charming little organ-grinder of “Merry-Go-Round." “Affinities,” the uproariously funny farce also on the programme at the Kosy is considered to be one of the best comedies written by that popular novelist, Mary Roberts production, featuring Coolleen Mooro and John Bowers. There Ik an enjoyable comedy programme, and excellent music provided by the Kosy Orchestra,

PALACE THEATRE. "THE HEART OF A SIREN.” The offering at Palace Theatre to-] night is the great First National pro- ( duction "The Heart of a Siren.” starring the beautiful and accomplished Barbara Lc Marr, whoso untimely death is notified in the press this week. This gorgeously dressed picture well upholds the standard established and adhered to by the management of this most popular house of entertainment! The supporting programme includes a comedy which will specially appeal to all “Boy Scouts,” and those associated with them. The .scenic film will open up entirely new country, and is unique as far as Palmerston North is concerned., Scenes in the Gaumont Graphic will prove to' be of interest to all. The mysterious and beautiful Stereoscopiks continue to attract large audiences, who find much in them of amusement and Interest both. This current set Is even better than the set last shown, and the merriment is fast and furious throughout the (screening. On Monday next the change of programme will bring along the Metro-Goldwyn picture "Sinners In Silk,” which is stated to bo one of the most, perfect pieces of camera work yet shown on the screen! Always good fare at the Palace, and still better pictures come DAME CLARA BUTT. GREAT CONCERT ON MONDAY. Probably, in all creation, there has never been such a voice as Dame Clara’s. As soon as she became known the professors fought for her as a pupil., It is difficult to realise that this great singer, whose sweeping, gracious bow is so well known all over the world, was once agonisingly shy of entering a room alone, on account of her groat height! But Clara Butt is as big mentally and spiritually as she is physically. Her interest in life and its problems is boundless, and her outlook far too wide to be limited to her own affairs. To talk with her and Kennerley Rumford is to talk to people who have made the fullest use of their opportunitea of observing the world and the good and evil in It. Nothing escapes them—railways, unemployment, labour problems, the humorous melancholy of modern ballrooms, and the unhumourous vagaries of Australian laundries—which fiave ruined all Kennerley Rumford’s shirts!—the psychology of audiences and a thousand and one things'. There is not a subject upon which they have mot a reasoned opinion, and there is many an Australian and New Zealander less informed about the problems of his country than are Dame Clam Butt and her husband. Hens is a wonderful personality. Had she not been a great (singer, she might Just as easily have been a great writer or an inspiring teacher of the gospel of peace and hope. Her faith in the ultimate triumph of good over evil is inspir. ing and hers is a faith of a kind that moves mountains. So great has been the demand for seats to hear Dame Clara Butt In Wellington that an extra concert had to bo arranged. Oevr 12,000 persons have' heard the great singer since her arrival In N, Z. a couple of weeks ago. The concert to be given. Box plan and day sales to bo the greatest musical event In yeans. A wonderful programme win be given. Box Plan and Day Salt tickets at the theatre.

WORTH’S CIRCUS OPENS TONIGHT. WORTHY TRADITIONS MAINTAINED. On last New Year's Day, Wirth’s Circus entered upon the 46th year of Its existence and when the combination visits Palmerston North to-night (Saturday), Dob. 6, on e night only in Devine’s paddock, it will be readily recognised that the enviable reputation which'it has built up during that period is being most capably maintained, the standard of enterainment presented being on an even higher plane than everc before. This season’s programme is crammed from end to end with delights for young and old, while the menagerie, which has had its Inhabitants added to since its last visit to (h's centre, is a complete education in itself. With so many high-class acts, it is most difficult to differentiate, but one feature that will appeal to the majority of patrons will be the prominent part which th e trained elephants play. The young elephants which Wlrth Bros, imported from Burma a couple of years ago have made wonderful progress. A truly delightful act is that in which Pewgy and Jumbo are put through their paces by Miss Eileen May. All three—to say nothing of the dog—enter into the spirit of (heir performance In a most captivating manner. Eater the same pair of giant rubber dolls figure with several companions in a striking scene with their trainer, Captain Mooney, introducing Miss Eileen May, Lady Elephant Trainer. "The fight for the fiag” provides thrills, comedy and pathos and is an astouialiing example of the degree of intelligence possessed by those creatures. Captain Betts Performing Seals. Earl Dudley, the only riding pony In the world, introduced by the king of horse trainers, Mr. P. Wlrth. A 'circus woulci not be complete Without an army of clowns and Wirths this season .are exceptionally fortunate in this direction, their laugh-raisers being kings without peer in their particular line. Then there are the Honey Sisters, graceful and beautiful gymnasts, who appear in an act demanding an extraordinary amount of skill, strength and daring. Miss Doris Honey also demonstrates her prowess as a trapeze artist, her performance in mid-air being something to marvel at. Torelll’s circus within a circus with its ponies, dogs, monkeys and clowns—a thorough ssream from start to finish. Wlrth Bros. Great Band, now in charge of Hughie McMahoN, the Emperor of the Cornet, Champion of the World. There is not room here to enumerate all the turns by gymnasts, jugglers, acrobats, trained horses and all the talented army that go to make Wirth’s entertainment what it is—the premier show of Australasia. Zoo open from 4 to 5 p.m. daily. Box plan jtt Oates’ Mn*la Shop,

‘•PHANTOM OF THE OPERA." A wonderful love story, screened in the midst of some of the biggest thrills over produced—-a baffling mystery told amidst gorgeous scenes—this is "She Phantom >.f Hie Opera,” a Universal super-production shortly to be released in Palmerston North. Gorgeous ballets, brilliant Parisian fetes, filmed in original natural colours in the largest scenes ever made tor a motion-picture—these vie with the dim and eerie cellars under Paris when the “Phantom” half devil, holds ghostly sway. It is beautiful in parts. It is grotesque in parts. Its mystery allures and its spectacle amazes. Its thrills keep one breathless. It is something very bewildering. Lon Chaney plays the “Phantom,’’ a strange creature of darkness, with the gifts of a god and the face of a monster and a hate-warped soul. Weird shadows—grim figures silhouetted in darkness, and the breathless terror of the unknown surcharge the drama—contrasted with the brilliance of the great fetes and balls and the ballet and the opera produced in a vast replica of the magnificent Paris Opera House. The story shifts again —back to the dim lake five stories below the surface of the earth. Its twists and ramifications bring gasp after gasp of amazement. The Paris mob. led by an avenging giant, dashes underground to trail the grim “Phantom" to his lair. And then —but it would spoil the final surprising climax to tell what happened. UNIQUE ATTRACTION.

J grand gymkhana.

The public will have the opportunity on Wednesday afternoon and evening of a n enjoyable outing under novel conditions, on the occasion of the Gymkhana which has been organised by the parishioners of _ St. Peter’s Church and will be held ill the beautiful grounds of Mr. R. A. McKenzie, Wilson’s line. The Borough transit department has kindly consented to run special buses for the afternoon and evening, and particulars of these, and of the programme arranged, are advertised in another column. The locale of the function combines convenience to town with all the advantages of a day in the country, and this fact alone should draw a large attendance. The programme includes a number of horse events, including pony jumping and other events for children, and these should prove highly entertaining. The youthful visitors to the function will be treated to pony rides at a small fee, and races and other events will be provided for their amusement. The vermis court will be available for- play, and a goitcroquet competition should draw a large entry. The baby show will comprise four classes, and prizes for places in each class will be given. Motorists should note that a driving' competition will be held to test thcii prowess. Many other competition! and games will be indulged in, and complete arrangements for afternoon, tea and • other seasonable refreshments have been made. Vegetables, meat and other produce will be on sale during the afternoon and evening. The committee have neen very fortunate as regards music: a party from the junior Orchestra will be In attendance In the afternoon, and in the evening the Municipal Band have kindly promised to assist and their appearance so soon before the Exhibition contest will be welcomed by the public. The grounds will be ' electrically lit in the evening, and dancing will be enjoyed to good music. There is no doubt that, the Gymkhana will be one of the most successful! functions hold in Palmerston North.