AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 December 1922, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE j HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS I “SHATTERED DRUMS’’ In the new programme showing at the Empire to-night the artistic and seamy side of Parisian life will be depicted in “Shattered Dreams,’’ the startling story of a fascinating society girl who went down into the atin Quarter of Paris to satisfy her craving for adventure and love. In the story Louis Du Hois and his pal are caught in the act of robbing the home of Marie Moselle. She calls the police, but decides to save Du Hois to pose for her work. She becomes interested in him to the chagrin'of her suitor, a polished society man. She secs in the model the caveman for whom she Las yearned, but stoutly denies that she could love him. Love of adventure impels her to ask her suitor, Grusant, to take her to a notorious Apache, cafe, where Du I3ois rescues her from the attention of one of the crowd. One day he visits her again, determined to carry her away. She shoots him. Then she becomes remorseful, and seeks bis house where she nurses him and learns that she loves him. The- police commissioner, after a search for Du Bois, finds the two together in the house, and informs her that Du Bois is not a real Apache, but a nobleman who sought the underworld after escaping from an institution where he was convalescing from shell shock sustained during thowar. Miss Du Pont is the star in this sumptuous modern drama.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT “TOWARDS THE LIGHT” - l “Towards the Light,” the story of a man who was brought to believe in Ood after denying him for many years, will be screen at the Empire on Monday (Christmas) night. Harry Edwards and Chrissie White are the leatured players. It is a thrilling story of the romance of a surly human who did not believe in a Supreme Being—bis only god is a luckystone which he carries about with him. He endeavours to separate himself from teh rest of the world, but Destiny has other plans for him, and he plays a big part in the romance of several people. There is a charming love story in the picture, with the stars as central figures. The settings are excellent, rural England at its best, Ihe play is crowded with types, old gaiters country bumpkins, louts of every degree—and a touch of the high flown as a contrast. The full Symphony Orchestra will play special selections. The management announce an important musical engagement for Christmas night, when the Harmony Four will appear in unaccompanied part singing. These favourite vocalists comprise Abel Rowe (tenor), Bob Ramsay (tenor), Jack Raymond (baritone), and Norman Frencti (basso). No doubt this is an innovation that wdll bo thoroughly appicriated bv all who are fond of good singing. The numbers presented will be appropriate to the season.

BOXING NIGHT “THE LOTUS EATERS’’ ' “The Lotus Eaters,” starring John Barrymore, will he shown at the Empire on Tuesday night. Barrymore p ays the part of Jacques Lenoi, who does not see a woman until he has reached the age of 25. Daring these years he has travelled all over the world in his vacht, hut has never sot foot ashore, in compliance with the request from lus father. But when the time expires, and Barrymore meets a young woman, the s complications come thick and fast, and he discovers why his father had inaclc the request. One of the most thrilling of the scenes shown is a dirigible bight difer the Pacific Ocean, during which Barrymore dives from the basket ot trio blimp into the ocean. Starting oft with an air : tragedy, the story is enlivened with scenes taken on ,a desert island, where a colony has transformed the garden spot into 1 a paradise, where all live happily. The story is from the pen of that favourie. novelist, Albert Payson Terhune.

THEATRE ROYAL

DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME

To defy an unscrupulous, ruthless, bullving tyrant who grinds an entire conrinunity under his foot, ignoring al la whuman and divine, is a bold undertaking for a man young and mexperrenced and standing alone. That is ttm position of the hero m jTho Yelloy. Stain,” showing at The Royal to-mgh with John Gilbert as the star. His work as the young lawyer just entering upon practice in a strange community is very forceful, and ho is ably supported by Claire Anderson, John Locknoy, Mark Fenton, and other screen artists ot marked ability. The action of the play is fast. The fight between Donald Keeth (portrayed by the star). Dial Erickson, his sweetheart s father, and the hired roughnecks of Quartos lieinbly/ the village tyrant, is extremely realistic. The action of the picture is spirited to a degree, portraying the battle of a real man against big odds. Flashing her smiles from the screen, Shirley Mason will greet her Future friends in ‘‘Lights of the Desert. ihe story .is well filled with tense moments and dramatic situations of powerful appeal, as well as touches in the lighter vein. In other words, it would appear to be an ideal photoplay for Miss Mason; and this, indeed, is how it is described by reviewers. The leading man is Allan Forrest, a very capable young actor. This sterling programme also presents ‘‘Stanley in Africa’ and Charley Chaplin in a brisk comedy ihe Squarehead,” Topical Gazette, etc.

PARAMOUNT TO N IGHT

WILLIAM S. HART

There are more thrills packed into • S. Hart’s latest Paramount picture, 'The White Oak,” than could be possibly packed into any Western attraction. To-night will be the final screening of this wonderful screen classic. It starts with a punch, and maintains its strong action right through. The love ot Oak Miller (Win. S. Hart) first for Ins sister, and then his sweetheart, provides a filling contrast to the lighting, and the villainies of the had men of the piece. A band of Arapahoe red skins figure prominently in an attack upon the waggon train by, which Barbara, Oak’s sweetheart, is travelling. A true dog then takes a- hand, with (lie result that Miller arrives to the rescue in the nick of time, and by a, fine piece ot strategy takes off the enemy, fhe supporting subjects arc all good and include a new Burton Holmes Iravelloguc and (episode 6 of the Branded rouv. SPECIAL HOLIDAY ATTRACTION CHRISTMAS NIGHT-PAO AN LOV E Tsing Yu-CVing, a young Chinaman of culture, is sent to America by Ins elan to study. At a New England Dm versify he makes many friends, clue! among them Travers Hardwick, a medical student. After graduation, Yu-Cli mg becomes editor of a Chinese newspaper m New, York. There lie meets, m the Bowery near Tell Street, Kathleen Levinsky a beautiful blind girl, the orphan of a Jew and an Irishwoman. She lives, with her aunt, Mrs 0 Grady, the proprietress of Levinsky’s pawns mp. n rare 1 friendship springs up between them. He aids her in her education; tells her the tales and customs of the Orient, always in an unselfish spirt and without any idea that he could win her in marriage. The aunt, however, realm-

ling that Yu-Ch'iug can make Kathleen I happy, tells him to propose and when ihe brings up the question of race, film 1 emphasises the fact that at Kathleen is blind she will never realise the diflcr- : once. So they become engaged. On the 1 same day he receives orders from the head of his clan to go to San Francisco, keeping Ids address unknown to anyone. that same day Travers Hardwick looks up Yu-Ch'ing and is directed to ■ the pawnshop where he meets Tsing and : Kathleen. She, learning that he is an eye specialist, begs him to do something for her. An appointment is mado for the folloiwng week. Yu-Ch’ing, conscious that the restoration of her sight may sweep away the foundations of his happiness, is aghast. He leaves for Sau Francisco. The operation takes place successfully while he is away. Unable to bear the strain of uncertainty Regarding Kathleen, Yu-Ch’ing, heedless lof orders, returns to New York and goes to the pawnshop. _ Kathleen, (thinking that lie is still in the West, Uc-eirtr an unknown Chinaman enter, is panic-stricken and shows her fear and disgust. Yu-Ch’ing, who has sworn ho }-«ilT never bring her sorrow, backs away, ■resolving that she must never .know. The climax should be seen. It is most unorthodox. “NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH” The Blenheim amateurs scored a great success in the production of * Jane in t Blenheim during the winter, and they (have followed this with a verysuccessful production of “Nothing But the Truth.” This comedy will be presented by Mr I. J. Easther in tijie Theatre Roval, Nelson, on January 4 and 5. The majority of those, who took part in “Jane” will appear again, and the cast will he notably strengthened by the inclusion of Mr F. J. Easther, or Auckland, one of the most talented amateur actors in the Dominion. "Nothing But the Truth’ ’is genuine comedy, and has the added attraction or being absolutely modern, as il was first produced in New York in 1916 and iu London in 1910. The Blenheim ania--1 tears arc leading the way in that they I arc the first amateurs to produce Hus brilliant comedy in New Zealand. The sfory of the man who set out to toll the the truth, the whole truth ,and nothing but the truth for 24 hours bristles wilu humorous situations and laughter-pro-voking lines, as anyone who pauses to think of the difficulties that must beset liis path will realise. The party comprises Mrs Errol Reid, Misses Mo. Tenney ; Dorothy Revell, Gwen. Griffiths, R. Vavasour, and Gale, Dr R. NobleAdams, Messrs “Friday” Easther (in the principal part), L. Griffiths, I c Reid, and A. E L. Scantlcbury. Ihe box plan will open at Alf. Robinson s on Thursday next.

“JOYLAND” A big night of fun is promised for to-night, at Joykfn opposite Empire Pictures. A special wrestling contest is announced for to-night between Boh Strong, England’s premier wrestler, and Bert Green, Nelson. All games and novelties will he in full to-night under personal supervision of -Hag. Lloyd, Australian i'un Merchant. On Wednesday next, at 12.30, from the verandah of Exchange Hotel, Prof. Keech will securely strapped m a straight jacket and hung by his heels and endeavour to make his escape in full view of the public.