AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 November 1922, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL

BIG COMEDY TO-NIGHT Owing to tlic Empire Theatre being engaged, ‘'Home Talent,” the Mack Sennet super-comedy, has been transferred to the Royal for the final screening this evening. The story iipons in a rural atmosphere, revealing Charlie Murray as an hotel man, whose principal assistant is his daughter, i’hyllia Haver,Hu the role of a scullery maid. Later, she blossoms forth in a. performance, planned and produced by a quartet of impecunious vaudeville performers. They arc Ben Turpin, James Finlayson, Eddie Gribbon and Kalla. Pasha, and they neither can remain at the hotel or leave it. Their board bill dates back to days of the beginning of Charlie Murray’s hotel enterprise. The sum due has grown until it has ceased to be an asset in Murray’s financial accounts and has become a liability. Charlie Murray agrees to back them iu their theatrical venture, if the quartet will give him first chance at the box office - receipts. ‘Home Talent” is in a totally different form from anything Mr Sen-* nett has hitherto made, and we oil agra he is the foremost producer of comedies to-day. One of the brightest ami snappiest ■comedy-dramas that has yet been put 6n the screen is ‘‘Scrambled Wives,” starirng Marguerite Clark at the Empire Theatre to-morrow night. “Scrambled Wives” is a peppy story of a girl who was married and unmarried oil ill the same breath, and who had a terrible tune keeping her past from the right man when he finally came along. The story is brimful of humorous situations, which are guaranteed tq beep any audience in the throes suspense from the beginning to the £nal, • P.EOJJJJe’S—'WEDNESDAY , I “THE CHANNINGS” ! Mrs Henry Wood’s masterpiece, ‘ t ‘The Charmings,” will bo the feature 1 at the Loyal to-morrow. In Holstonloigh lived the Channings and the Yorkcs. The Channings are faced with poverty. Arthur Charming and Rolan lorko are clerks iu n solocitor/s 'office, where owing to a bank note disappearing both conic under suspic-ion. .Arthur Chauniug knowing that his hi other Hamish has obtained money ia a mysterious way, believes him to be the thief, and sacrifices his honour and good name to cover his brother’s -supposed guilt. The family hold divided opinion as to which brother is the culprit. The money is returned anonymously to Galloway, and eventually Roland Yorke clears put, afterwards writing to Arthur confessing ho is the thief; thus the whole drama of cross purposes is cleared up, and Hamish explains his secret source of income by proudly showing a book which ho has written. The Yorkes, after Having openly sneered at the Channings, now get their first taste of real, humiliation, but the Channingsreadily agreed to forget the unpleasant episodes, and so re-unions and weddings become the order, of the day. Dorothy Moody and Lionelle /Howard have the loading roles, and. Dick Webb and Clias. Vane are also m the cast. ' '

PA It A MOUNT THEATRE

“REPORTED

Owen Mw)Ve and Tom Wilson are deserving of ;i place in (bo Hail of for their laugh-producing pert'”'.nance at the above then Ire yes•eerdny in the Selznick Special. “Reported Missing.” The production was advertised as The greatest action picture ever made and it is all of that. Thrills and laughs follow in quick succession and the story never lets down I'or a second. In addition it contains one of the most villainous villains that ever scuttled a ship or cut a throat. The wily Oman, Oriental shipowner, who tries to deprive Owen Moore, as Richard Boyd, of his right to purchase a fleet upon winch he has an option, is certainly a 100 per cent, screen scoundrel. He was greeted with hisses upon his every appearance. Nila Naldi of Follies fame, had the tired business men sitting up and taking notice and Garon, a flapper de luxe, won her way into the hearts of all the males present. Among the thrilling scenes are a race between a sea sled and a hydroaeroplane, a shipwreck, and a fight in 'the Oriental villain's strong hold. “Reported Missing” is what the public wants plus and is the typo of picture which has only one aim—entertainment.

"THE SHEIK'" TO-MORROW If ever a picture was made that held live drawing power of a magnet it was this one, arid the sole reasolt it has been so long in coming to Nelson is that wherever it has been screened packed houses have greeted this wonderful Paramount production, produce from one of the most widely rend and most sensational novels the world has yet seen. Get). Meliford, the master producer, has given us Edith M. Hull’s novel in real life, and the people of the world have fully realized this. This wonderful Paramount picture ran for 12 months in New York city in three of the largest theatres, and broke all records in Sydney, being screened continuously day and night for over six months. No praise is needed from anyone. The world knows a good picture and all who want to see “The Sheik” will take this opportunity. The seating accommodation is limited and patrons are advised to he early. A brief account of Ibis wonderful story shows that Sheik Ahmed Pen Tlassan, leader of an Arab tribe, determines to conquer the pride of a haughty hut beautiful English tour Hit, Diana Mayo, by capturing her and making her one of his slaves. Bv disguising herself ■ Diana gains admittance' to the gambling Casino at Biskra, where Sheik Ahmed is lidding a fete. The Sheik discovers her, however,- and declares she shall pay for tier rash act. The Sheik ' learns she is to start for the desert next day and makes his plans accordingly. After Diana’s brother leaves her at her desert camp and returns to Biskra, the Sheik attacks, the caravan and Diana is captur'd and carried to his oasis camp. He orders her to obey bis commands, and despite her haughty refusals, tears am! prayers, lie hends her to his will. She is reduced lo Hie level of a slave. After a week of obedience to his stern but attractive master, she begins to feel a certain sense of happiness but is piqued when Sheik Ahmed informs her of the coming of Raoul de Saint Hubert, Hie author of jibook she has been reading and an intimate Parisian friend of his. she not wishing to he humiliated before one from Iter own fashionable world. Sheik

Ahmed leaves to rnqet tiis authorfriend, giving Diana Hie privilege, of riding outside the camp. Seizing an opportune moment, she stampedes the horse which her escort is riding and dashes for freedom, but the horse falls and breaks his leg. .Sighting a distant caravan, she makes for it- not knowing that this is the hated Omair. the desert bandit and his band nf ma-

rauders. Omair sights the girl and immediately desires her, only to see the approach of the returning Ahmed who discovers the girl and takes her. back to 1 his camp. Saint Hubert argipfs with Ahmed against his treatment of the_ girl, but the Sheik rebukes him learns from a cantured spy of Omair’s that the latter ia seeking the

| girl, whereupon he decides to send her j back to Biskra. While Diana and an I escort are out riding next day, Omair I sweeps down upon them, kills the escort, but only wounds the personal attendant and takes the girl prisoner, despite her desperate but futile ’resistance. ■ The news conies to Sheik Ahmed, who gathers his clans, and, with a thousand horsemen, starts for a storm attack against the bandits desert stronghold. Diana awakens within Omair’s den in the- presence of a savage guard, and a former favourite, who urges her to lake her own life, rather than submit to Omair. She decides to play for time, knowing Sheik Ahmed will try for her recapture. At last ; comes the attack and after a fierce fight the Sheik's horsemen triumph. The Sheik and Omair engage in a battle and the former is wounded. His lieutenant. Vniiasef, kills Omair. In the days following. Saint Hubert tells Di(ana the story of the Sheik, that be is iin reality an Englishman, the son of aliiiobleman who Tad been deserted by his guides. His wife and baby boy had been taken in by the kindly Sheik who, after Lite death of- his. wife, had reared the hoy and had become so attached to him that lie made him his heir at his dilath. Diana now realises that she loves the only man who has ever broken her haughty will. Finally Sheik Ahmed recovers from his wounds and, cold and indifferent towards Diana, determines to send-her hack to Biskra. She no longer conceals Innlove and pleads with him to let her stay. He softens and takes her in i.Ts arms. A few days later they wend their way across the sands towards civilisation launched upon their honeymoon. The picture is filled with stirring scenes that thrill and hold one as by a spell. A special matinee will he given to-morrow at 2.30. Doors wiil be opened at 7.15 each evening. Note. I “The Sheik” will be sung caeli cven- ) ing. Special prices, circle 2/6. cl own(stairs 2!- back seals, 1/6 front seats. 'Matinee only children half price, I’lau at Bcgg's to-morrow.

THE STSTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS

COMING TO NELSON It is generally conceded that the success of the Sistine Chapel Choir was mainly due to the ten soloists who are , now triumphantly sweeping all before j them in New Zealand, and who are to j give the first of three concerts at the : Theatre Royal to-morrow evening un- : der the direction of Messrs Thomas Quinlan and, E. J. and Dan Carroll. Three distinct programmes will be given during the brief Nelson season, and patrons are respectfully requested to be in their seats by 8 o’clock, as the doors will bo closed during each item. Intending patrons from outlying districts arc notified that an adequate ’bus service will be maintained during the season for their convenience, and seats may be reserved at Begg s by post according to the conditions as advertised. The repertoire chosen the directors for the concerts in New Zea-1 land has been a revelation to the musical masses, and a powerful appeal to all classes and creeds, and a direct and valuable force in the entertaining, j educational, and cultural development of tlio New Zealand people. The days 'of intellectual glory in all lands have seen the most beautiful, tender, and romantic proso and verso inspiring musicians to tho noblest expression of their heaven-sent , gifts, and so that none of this wedded artistic loveliness may bo lost, translations by eminent Italian scholars will be supplied for all programmes. The personnel of the Sistine soloists, who have cttch starred in grand opera in the exclusive Cfmtincnta,l theatres, is as follows: —Guiseppo Pnganclli (lyrido spiuto), _ Bruno barti (lyric tenor), Luigi Pasinati (lyric tenor), Luigi Gatti (robust tenor), Romano Rasponi (baritone), Guiseppo Massoglia (baritone), Felice Belli (bass baritone), Inerio Constantini (bass baritone), and Emilio Cassolira, who will conduct and accompany. Signor Cassolari is considered one of the finest conductors of the day, and the Melbourne Ago said that ho was no less wonderful as a conductor than Monsignor Bella, and shared the latter’s remarkable triumph. All local records for booking were broken yesterday, when the _ box plans for the season of the Sistine Choir soloists was opened. Those who desire to hear these artists would be well advised to apply early for reservations, as the plans arc filling rapidly.