ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

A THRILLING PICTURE AT THE 1 ROSY THEATRE, “The Sporting Chance,” a Tiffany Production, is the feature production at the Kosy, and was received with great enthusiam by a large audience ,wlio were thrilled by the various scenes as they unfolded on the screen. The climax of the picture, a vivid, smashing picture, makes the spectator fairly howl as the horses, running neck and neck, come down the homo stretch. It is one of the best scenes of its kind this reviewer has thus far ever seen flashed on a screen. The work of Miss Dorothy Phillips, who has just returned to the screen after an absence of two years, Is highly praise-worthy, and Lou Tellegen, George Fawcett. Theo_ Yon Eltz and Sheldon Lewis complete a great cast in a great picture. And “Kentucky Boy” bears out the judgement of his owner that ho is a great race horse. “The Sporting Chance” will be at the Kosy Theatre for two more days. A new crook drama of distinction is “Silk Stocking Sal," starring Evelyn Brent. This versatile young actress gives a startlingly vivid portrayal of the title character, and those who attend the Kosy Theatre for the next two days will agree with the critics who have already singled out Miss Brent as one of the outstanding artists ,of tho season. “Silk Stocking Sal" is a fast-moving melodrama of underworld and-society life in New York city, and enough comedy has been injected into tho work to relieve the taut dramatic situations which have been evolved, Richard Ellis and Earl Metcalf give Miss Brent fine support in the most important male roles. In addition, a selection of excellent supporting subjects will be shown

PALACE. oh: the rapture of working WITH LAURA LA PLANTE. The unusual occurrence of a screen star requesting that he be cast In a small bit. happened at Universal City, The picture concerned was “Skinner's Dress Suit," the Universal-Jewel coming to the Palace Theatre, beginning to-morrow and the star is Arthur Lake. Young Lake, who is being starred in the “Sweet Sixteen” scries of juvenile comedies, happened to bo between pictures when casting was announced. He immediately went to Director William A- Setter and asked that he be given the hole of Tommy the fresh office boy % “I just wan; to see how I look in a Jewel production.” said Arthur, with his boylsn grin_ “I know what I look like in my own comedieis but I’m just anxious to stack up with Reginald Denny and Laura La Plante." The director agreed with alacrity to the proposition. It isn’t often that manna like that will drop from heaven. Accordingly Arthur was given his starting card by the casting office and movie fans will have the unusual pleasure of seeing a star in a “bit” role. "It has been a great pleasure," recounted Arthur, when tho picture was Unis tied. “Mr Denny is one of tho greatest comedians I have ever seen and I have learned an awful lot by working with him. And as for sweet Miss La Plante ” here words failed the youthful screen luminary, as ho ecstatically blow a kiss skyward. PALACE t... ... . “THE TORRENT” WHOLE OPERA ACT FILMED.

Operatic tradition, motion picture technique and impressionistic art vied tor ascendancy, then blended into a harmonious whole that made a colorful spectacle in a gigantic production of the last act of the opera "Carmen - ’ with huge orchestra, several hundred ■singers and one of the most elaborate settings ever given Bizets musical classic. And the opera won’t bo heard at all. Instead, it will be seen on the screen ,as one of the spectacular details of the big M-G-M productions of Ibanez' "Torrent” screening at the Palace Theatre to-night, with Iticardo Cortez and a huge cast. Intensive research and many rehearsals preceded the big scene in which the music of the opera was actually played and sung, and in which Greta Garbo makes a spectacular entrance as the opera singer heroine of tho Vinente Blasco Ibanez romance. A chorus of throe hundred voices was carefully trained for the production, an operatic orchestra ot fifty pieces was engaged, and tlic actual performance given before the camera. So genuine was every detail that tho sharp eye of an opera conductor could not detect an incongruity. A. notable cast appears in the spectacular now story, a vivid tale of the life and loves ot a Spanish opera singer. Cortez plays tho hero and Grola Garbo, famous Swedish star, is seen as the singer, her first screen role outside Kurope. Gertrude Olmsted, Tully Marshall, Edward Connelly, Martha Mattox, Arthur Edmund Carew, Lillian Leighton Mack Swain and other famous players appear in important roles The staging is gorgeous, representing famous

operas in many cities, colorful bits of Spain, the royal throne room at Madrid and other elaborately constructed locales. THE BIG THRILL DRAMA OF 1926. “THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD” AT THE DE LUXE. The production of a photoplay on land or on the sea alone is a very difficult task, but when the director is confronted with handling millions of gallons of water on land, tho task is doubly difficult. In addition to this, a huge dam had to be cpnstructed to hold the waters in check until the dramatic moment arrived. Add to this, the fact that complete cities had to be built for destruction, and you have a fair idea of what was accomplished in the filming of “The Johnstown Flood,” the stupendous drama of the shocking catastrophe which ravished the Conemaugh Valley, Pennsylvania, which is to be the feature attraction at the De Luxe Theatre to-day. To film “The Johnstown Flood” it was necessary for Director Irving Cummings to have a dam, over 200 feet long and 72 feet high constructed in the California mountains. It was necessary this dam be earthen such as tho one which burst above the ill-fated city of Johnstown. There also had to too erected replicas of the various towns in the path of tho flood, principally tho city of Johnstown, where the mad water took greatest toll of life and property. Technicians worked 24 hours dally in shifts for nearly two months planning, and building the street and town sots. The dam used in the film was rebuilt from an obsolete and abandoned project. In the leading dramatic roles are a host of film favourites well known for thoir sterling talent. George O’Brien, virile star of many screen plays, is cast in the stellar role, with Florence Gilbert, Janet Gaynor, Max Davidson, Anders Randolf, George Harris, Paul Nicholson, Walter Perry and Paul Panzer In feature supporting roles.

CARNIVAL SEASON. An important announcement appears in the advertising columns to the effect that the Carnival Company’s sixth carnival of the season will take place in the Soldiers’ Club on Thursday evening. Those who remember the Grand Winter Carnival conducted by the above organisation will doubtless attend in force and they will not be disappointed, for several new novelties. recently arrived from Ensiund, America and tho Continent will be introduced. and, as usual, souvenirs will be distributed on the company’s lavish scale. The Continental style of dispensing supper will again be adhered to, and with artistic lighting effects and decorations the hall should present a most cosy appearance. The sixth round of tho 1926 Manawatu Foxtrot Championship will be conducted, and dancing will continue from 8 p.m. till 1 a.m.

WKIELAKD CABARET. The Dixieland Cabaret has become an accepted Palmerston North institution and is recognised far outside this town for tho excellence of its management and the high standard reached by its functions. On Friday next. Cabaret night, fortunately falls on Guy Fawkes night, as well as race night, and an effort is being made to mark the happy combination in a fitting manner. Special preparations are being made for the occasion which promises to be a notable one. Booking is already heavy, and intending patrons are advised to make their reservations early to avoid disappointment.

IRVING’S IMPERIAL MIDGETS,

A preliminary announcement in this issue notifies that Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller will present two of the world’s greatest vaudeville attractions at the Opera House on Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13. Irving’s Imperial Midgets are fifUftecn of the smallest people in the world, adults in age but children in stature. Natives of various countries, every one of the little people is a talented artist In one or other branch of theatrical art, and collectively they present one of the most unique shows ever presented on any stage. The act was specially engaged for an Antipodean tour by Sir Benjamin Fuller, and so successful was tho Australian portion of the tour that at oik time it looked as if New Zealand would not see them. Also to appear will be Chofalo (“the merry monarch of magic”) and Signorina Palermo ("the queen of illusion”). Chefalo is a magician who gets right off the beaten track in regard to the tricks presented. His act consists largely of cabinet tricks and “built-up” illusions. Signorina Palermo is mainly responsible for “The Garden of Mystery,” a symposium of illusion and necromancy, wherein the full strength of the Chefalo-Palmero Company takes part. The acts are all beautifully dressed and staged, the tapestries alone In use being worth many thousands of pounds, and gathered la many countries. The box plan for tho local season will open at the Opera House on Wednesday morning next. The company is at present appearing in Auckland to crowded houses, and indications are that the local appearance of the company will be extremely well patronised.