AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 11 January 1921, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

HAYWARD’S PICTURES “MALE ANDFEMALE.” The Royalty Masterpiece, “Male arid Female, adapted from Sir J. M. Barrie’s famous play, “The Admirable Crichton,” will be initially screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. There is a novel introduction of the various characters before they have risen for the day, by showing “Boots” peeping through the keyhole of the rospectiva doors and revealing what ho sees beyond. In this manner the audience meets Lady Mary Lasenby, “who is'to learn that hands arc not only to bo manicured, but to work with, heads not to be dressed but to think with—hearts not only to boat, but to love with.” The man that is in man will inevitably come to the surface, and the time came when Bill Crichton, the butler, became the salvation of those who had always despised him. Far away from civilisation’s laws and conventions, a butler, because he was a man, became a king; and the great lady, who had once laughed at his ideals, served and loved him ; fought with a serving maid for his kiss. The hand of time flung back thousands of year; living as nature intended them; then it was that they became male and female, obeying the urges, loves and passions of the primitive surroundings in which they found themselves. Jf our existences could begin again! If to-morrow wo could live in ’a world- whore wealth, laws, conventions, and classes meant nothing! Who dion would rule, who serve, who love ? The answer is yivdly told in “Male and Female.” It is motion picture of wonderful vision. It ranges from the home of an English earl to savage scenes _in a tropical jungle. In the picture a tiagie note has been introduced which found no place in the original. This consists of. a Babvlonion episode, suggested by Henley’B“lines, “When I was a king in Babylon' and you were a Christian slave. Thomas Moighan, Gloria Swanson, arid Leila Lee are supported bv a powerful cast. The orchestra will play special music. There will he a matinee to-morVow afternoon, and the final screening will bo made tomorrow evening. The 12th Regiment Rand will play selections outside the Theatre to-night prior to the peifonnnnco. PEOPLE’S—WEDNESDAY. LITTLE MEG CIMINO A very fine entertainment is promised for Theatre Royal patrons tomorrow night. Many will be pleased to welcome their old favourite, J. Warren Kerrigan, who will be seen in a verv fine production, viz., “One Dollar Bid,” as Toby, a drunken recluse of the Kentucky mountains. It is a good storv, not lacking in action and real interest, arising from an old lawin. Kentucky under which a vagrant may be auctioned by the sheriff to serve big purchaser for a year. As. the vagrant and erring Toby, Warren Kerrigan’s personality and magnetic charm of acting arq well to the fore, and a more than usually effective scene is that in which he is bought at auction by the beautifiul heroine for tho low price of a dollar. A charm-, ing romance is interwoven into the plot. Lois Wilson, as the lady purchaser of stray hoboes, is appealing and delightful. There are numerous “character” scenes in One Dollar Bid ” which should universally please and'interest. An added attraction will be Little Meg Cimmo—a delightful child artist, who excels in dancing. She is without doubt the daintiest little dancing comedienne and soubrette who has ever toured New Zealand. There will be no advance in prices, but intending patrons are advised to book their seats to avoid disappointment.

THE RED LANTERN,

COUNTRY CIRCUIT.

Naiimova, the living masterpiece of dramatic art, in th G triumph of her career, “The B*d Lantern, a story of the purple forbidden city, is a play ot mysterious China that gives Nazimova, the star of unfathomable depths, a dual role, which reveals the tremendous range of her rare artistry._ It is a p ay •of deep, undecurreuts, telling the story of an Eurasian girl—the daughter ox two races—who feels the eternal conflict of the alien bloods forever mg'ng within her soul. ’ It is a theme to wake the pulses of the heart and ml the ■ imagination with the i.-rehw:itle lure of secret Asia, with a splendour like th e day and a mystcy ime the night, where the dancing idiadovvs of the Red Lantern light seemed peopled with the thousand and one malignant devils, which forever haunt ihosa mystic and-enigmatical people A the hast. “The Red Lantern” resends vnh barlark melody and glows with the gorgeous and varying hues of the 'Orient. In addition to “The R«d Lantern, the latest Travelogue and Pictorial, vwl filled with items of intorwt, will be shown, the whole foiming what may be termed the greatast combination ever pieced before an audience. The prices df admission will be 2s und Is order of screening in the country towns will by Motueka. Wednesday (box plan ut Shilton’s); Takaka, Thursday; Wakefield, Friday; Richmond, Saturday.