ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18356, 23 March 1923, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

! STRAND THEATRE. An absorbing tale of the race-track is to be the principal feature of the new programme to commence a week season to-day at the Strand Theatre. This is " Garrison's Finish," adapted from the story of the same name by W. B. M. Ferguson. It is the tale of a wealthy society girl whose . inbred racing knowledge told her that a disgraced jockey was innocent. The leading role is played by Madge Bellamy, the fascinating 19-year-old star, opposite to whom is Jack i Pickford as the jockey, a part which is declared to be the best he has appeared in to date. Supporting the two stars, are Charles A. Stevenson, Tom Guise, Frank .Elliott, Clarence Burton, Ethel Grey Terry, Charles Ogle,) and Lydia Knott. The story tells how Grimmins, a jealous trainer, drugs Billy, the young jockey, causing him to be disqualified j from taking part in the Carter Handicap. Disgraced, the* young rider, while on his way home, is roughly handled by a party in a motor-car, and is thrown over a bridge. He is badly hurt, and loses his memory. In that condition he wanders, about New York., (One day a tramp who has befriended him finds in Billy's pocket a piece of paper on which is written the name of Sue Desha, a society girl. He manages to take the injured jockey to her home. There Sue, who is aware of the circumstances leading to Billy's downfall, obtains for him a position in her father's stables. He soon gains promotion owing to his ability as a rider. Later he is selected to ride . his master' mount in the Kentucky Derby, and Grimmins hears of it. Thereupon the trainer reveals his identity to Sue's father. The jockey is discharged, but later is restored to favour and rides the horse, which wins the Derby. A special prologue and cfther goo/d films will be included in the new bill.

TIVOLI THEATRE. " The Face in the Fog," with Lionel Barry more, Seena Owen, Lowell Sherman and numerous other favourite artists, will be the chief attraction at the Tivoli Theatre for the week commencing this evening. The picture is a ParamountCosmopolitan production of a very high standard. Barrymore plays the role of Boston Blackie, who was known as the most adept criminal in the world before he married Mary Dawson and reformed. The story tells how the two are leaving a restaurant one evening when they find themselves involved in an international criminal conspiracy. Boston takes his cue and unravels the mystery of ithe lost Romanoff diamonds. The tale of the jewels in question originated in Russia, where the brutal Petrus, raised to power by the revolution, undertook to steal them from the residence of a Grand Duke. A faithful servant, Michael, however, foiled the plot and took the diamonds and the Grand Duchess to America. Petrus and a companion, Count Ivan, followed the refugees, and Michael, though disguised, is recognised and struck down at the | entrance to the restaurant. Blackie and his wife go to the aid of the stricken man, and the latter thrusts the jewels into the ex-criminal's hand. The police suspect that Blackie has recommenced his old career, and the attentions of the Russian pair are alsd directed toward him. Blackie has a safe which is fitted with a secret electric apparatus and, when the Russians arrive and demand the jewels, he tells them to go to the safe for them. Unsuspecting the trap, , they do this and are caught and handed over to justice. In the end Blackie is instrumental in bringing happiness to the Grand Duke. Also 'on the bill will be " One Wild Week," starring Bebe Daniels.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Two features of special interest are announced for screening ' at the National Theatre to-day and for the week to follow. One is the Selznick picture, "French Heels," which reintroduces the famous danseuse-actress, Irene Castle. She is declared to be more vivacious and spirited than ever in this fast-moving, modern romance. She is seen in a , whirlwind of exciting events, riding, swimming, and dancing in a charming manner. • The action takes place in New York, and in the lumber camps of the Far North. The story is that of a young girl, who is forced to earn her ' own living. She becomes a chorus girl in a Broadway ; cafe, and then meets the man who is to influence her whole life. From this point the story becomes intensely dramatic and fascinating. Also on the bill will be "Lucky Dan," another of the series of pictures starring the daring "stunt" performer and actor, Richard Talrnadge. He plays the role of a young man, who falls in love with the daughter of a ranch owner, *who strongly objects to their being married. The father tries to coerce Rose into marrying a rich suitor, who holds a mortgage over his ranch. In the meantime Lucky Dan has ascertained that he is the rightful possessor of land held by the undesirable suitor. Complications ensue in which Dan has many hair-raising adventures. There is a striking climax.

LYRIC THEATRE. . A screen adaptation of Peter B. Kyne's novel, "The Long Chance," is to be the mam feature of the new programme at the Lyric Theatre to-night and for the following week. In the all-star cast will be Henry B. Walthall, Marjorie Daw, and Ralph Graves. The production is by Carl Laemmle, and it is described as an extraordinary attraction. Marjorie Daw plays a triple role, appearing in the beginning of the story as a woman of 30, then as the same woman at the age of 50, and subsequently as the latter' daughter. The locale of the story is the Mojave desert, with its endless streaks and sweeps of sand, if in theme is concerned with Harley P. Hennage, the "worst man in town," a gambler, who assumes the protection of Kate Corbaly, -whose husband is prospecting for gold in the desert. News comes that the husband ,is dead. Twenty years later Kate and her daughter, Dana, born in the hour of the former s bereavement, are living together , ' when they meet a young engineer. Dana falls in love with him, and he with her. There follow many exciting incidents, in which the lost gold ledge, originally found by Dana's father, plays an important part. Hennage follows a life-time of devotion to Kate by making a supreme sacrifice for her daughter. Also on the bill will be a film version of Allen Raine's Welsh roj mance, "Tom Sails," with a fine cast.

. GRAND THEATRE. The new programme at the Grand Theatre to'day and for the ensuing week will be headed 'by "White Shoulders." featuring Katherine Mac Donald. Because it has a story with a well-defined plot, that is carried through without being marred by inconsistencies and impossibilities, this First National attraction has been classed as far above the average. There is said to be plenty of action, and quite enough of the .romantic to cater for the taste of . the patron who likes the spice of love intermingled with the other attributes of a film play. Miss Mao Donald wears an abundance of up-to-date clothes, which are expected to catch the fancy of feminine picture-goars. The plot is set in a distinctly southern atmosphere. The acting is said to be thoroughly good throughout. The story tells how, *in an effort to rehabilitate the family fortune, the mother of _ Virginia Pitman tries to match the girl with a rich man. One such makes a disparaging remark about Virginia, whereupon her brother shoots and kills him. Mrs. Pitman then takes the girl to another city, with the idea of there finding another wealthy suitor for her. However, she falls in love with the driver of a racing oar. After their engagement is announced it turns out that he is in reality one of the richest men in the State, and that he races only for diversion. There ; will be ether excellent film*. *

ICIPFODROME THEATRE. Th* extraordinarily successful \Villiatn Fox production, - ''Queen of Sheba,' _ is .to. j; be transferred from His Majesty's Theatre | to-day to i the ; Hippodrome, Theatre, where | it will be screened for. a week, with "i& = same attractive prologue and music as ; distinguished its': former' season. This ,/ § love romance of the most beautiful woman - | of the ancient world is presented as a | stupendous spectacle, ill which , love < and f intrigue at the court of King Solomon are dramatically blended. The staging of the | film is remarkable, and the act ng of the j principals is of a high standard through- | out. The story tells how -the Queen of ,< Sheba, daughter of a * hundtt d kings, * ruled the hearts of men, and was im- | pervious to the appeal of all until she | met the supreme love that dominated her , whole life. It is related in scenes of j opulent splendour, with the gorgeousness k and glory of the ancient Orient as the i background. _____ < |