ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18080, 3 May 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

_— ♦ '■■■ •■ ' v ' NEW LYRIC THEATRE. ', All who appreciate th« manly and athletic typo of hero will be considerably pleased with the work of Douglas Fairbanks in " The Mark of Zorro," now in season at the New Lyric Theatre. There will bo a matinee this afternoon and another on Saturday. This is the third of the Big Four feature films to be shown lit this cosy theatre. It is an adaptation of Johnston McCulley's novel, '' The Curse of Capistrano," and was filmed under tho direction of Fred Niblo. It is a tale of old California, bristling with adventure, action, romance, mystery and thrills. Through the main theme there is a vein of pronounced comedy which prevents any sense of heaviness in the dramatic movement of the tale. i Fairbanks plays a dual role, in some respects not unlike'that of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," particularly in the simulation of stupidity to" cover his actual deeds of derring do. As Zorro, the masked swordsman, he is courageous to the degree of absolute fearlessness, and as Vega he appears to be nothing but an indolent idler with little intelligence. The denouement is brought about in clever fashion, and the whole story retains the interest from beginning to end. Fairbanks, noted as he is for his daring " stunts," outdoes himself in this film, occasionally making the spectators gasp for breath. In the carrying on of Zorro's war against oppressors he lets no j obstacle stand in his way, while in the pursuit of romance in the person of j Lolita he is a spirited and dauntless lover. j The supporting cast is excellent, Miss de j la Motte making a very attractive Lolita. ! Picturesque scenery and appropriate stage settings enhance the general effect of the film. The New Lyric orchestra provides first-class music at each session, TIVOLI THEATRE. The way that, love laughs at landlords is shown in diverting fashion in " Rent Free," the Paramount film now being screened at the Tivoli Theatre as the chief attraction on a programme that has only two more evenings and to-day's matinee to i run. . Wallace Reid, one of the most popular of cinema actors, is seen &a a young artist whose lively doings on the roof-tops create continual mirth. Unable to pay his landlady her just dues he. makes his exit and proceeds to camp out on the roof. There he is at once whirled into a circle of girls, policemen, millionaires, and adventures galore. Lila Lee plays the part of the girl in the romance, and there is a strong supporting cast. On Friday, and for the ensuing week there will be screened a special double pro- f gramme. One of the chief films will be " Enchantment," featuring Marion Davies. This has been dedicated to the girl in love with love, to daughters who think their parents old-fashioned, and to parents who wonder what the young folks are coming to nowadays. The scenes are set amid the life of, the " younger set" in New York. A second feature film will be the picture version of Sir Gilbert Parker's famous novel, " The Lane That Had No Turning." In this Agnes Ayres will play the leading role,, that of a pro- j minent singer with the world at her feet, ! but at home a husband who needed her. j There ensues for her a struggle between the claims of home and career. GRAND THEATRE. The last two days of the screening of "The Sign on the Door," at the Grand j Theatre ore now announced. This First National film, featuring Norma Tal- i madge in one of the finest parts of. her j career in the silent drama, has made an | excellent impression on the large numbers ! of spectators who have witnessed , it. There are many; tense moments in the story and these are heightened by the admirable acting of the star and her supporting company. The topical budget's official < pictures of Princess Mary's wedding, including the ceremony in Westminster Abbey, are also being screened for the last few times. Light relief is afforded by the comedy film in which Snooky, the marvellous chimpanzee, ; plays the leading part. Snooky and the other clever animals in the film create diversion of a very merry description. The sixth chapter of "The Adventures of Tarzan " completes fan interesting programme. There will be a complete change on I Friday. ' ." ' ~ QUEEN'S THEATRE. A new departure in motion pictures is promised at the Queen's Theatre' on Friday and for the following week. There wilL then be screened an Italian film masterpiece, "Death's Circus," of which a Melbourne paper recently said:—"lt is a wonderful film, positively beggaring '•■] description." Features in the picture are i a complete circus scene, a remarkable water pancomhte, many sensational incidents, and a pretty love story. A Charles Chaplin comedy will also be shown. •