ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19153, 20 October 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. The reputation for variety in entertainment is well maintained in the programme presented at the Opera House for the first time yesterday. Although the vaudeville part is somewhat shorter than usual, it contains some fine items, chief among which is a xylophone duet by Reno and Arta. This is splendidly done. In rendering Rubenstein's "Sonata in F," the players give an imitation of a harp with fine effect. They also play some lively medley jazz music. Henri French presents a new act and fully justifies his reputation as a variety entertainer. His juggling is very clever, a feature being the absence of patter. Patter must be excellent to be successful in this kind of performance, but Henri French goes througa his work with an air of quiet efficiency. Charles Sherman and June Mills also appear in . comedy vaudeville items. This week's revue is we'll up to the high standard that Georgo Ward and his Snapshots Revue Company have already set, and abounds in humorous incident and dialogue. The revue hinges on a marriage tangle, a . husband and a wife both unknowingly committing bigamy. Captain Hermie Shultz is believed to have been drowned and his wife marries again to an undertaker. The missing husband turns up, accompanied by a dusky brido from Honolulu, and there are many laughable passages before things are eventually straightened out. As usual, the humour is mainly in the capable hands of George Ward and Bert le Blanc, who take the parts of Captain Shultz and Abe Bones, the undertaker, respectively. Daisy Yates is Hermie's wife and sho plays her part well. Carlton Chase, her son, and his sweetheart, Patsy Hill, are both good, while Yorke Gray has the role of the stern father, General Bluff, and fills it satisfactorily. The revue introduces several fine musical items, Vernon Sellars with his pleasing baritone voice being the chief contributor. He gives a splendid solo, "Rip Van Winkle," and accompanies Patsy Hill in a duet "Rock-a-bye Blues." A novel chorus is provided to "Hinkie Pinkie" by George Ward and the Snapshot Six. Carlton Chase, Les Warton and Daisy Yates also appear in effective solos. Dorrie Tointon is at her best in a classic dance and the work of the chorus and ballet is also very effective. The performance will be repeated every evening this week.

STRAND THEATRE. The popular comedian Johnny Hines makes a welcome reappearance in " The Early Bird," which is now being shown at the Strand Theatre. In this picture Hines has the role of a milkman, who after falling in love with a beautiful girl) decides that he must make himself financially independent. The manner in which he accomplishes his ambition is delightfully told in an amusing story which is said to be full of swift action, and to hold the interest of the audience from beginning to end. Hines is said to maintain fully his high reputation for comedy work, and the film is described as a very worthy successor to his previous productions. The supporting programme includes an Our Gang comedy, and a novel musical interlude is provided by Hal Cope. EXALTO THEATRE. " A Sainted Devil," Rudolph Valentino's second Paramount starring picture since his return to the screen, will commence at the Rialto Theatre to-day. With an excellent supporting cast, a story _of dash and colour, and rich settings which depict the Argentine and life in Buenos Aires, " A Sainted Devil " is said to surpass even " Monsieur Beaucaire." In this picture Valentino portrays the role of Don Alonzo, a spirited young South American, who travels up and down the scale of love and who fights at the drop of the hat for the woman he loves. Helen D'Algy has the role of Julietta, a darkeyed, raven-haired beauty who captures Alonzo's heart despite the efforts of Carlotta, played by Nita Naldi, Don Florencia, Dagmar Godowsky and Carmelita Louise Lagrange, who try to win him away. An additional attraction will be an interpretation of the Argentine tango by Alexis and Isolde. PRINCESS THEATRE. " The Trail Rider," featuring Buck Jones, and " Youthful Cheaters," starring Glenn Hunter, are the featured attractions at the Princess Theatre this week. One of the most thrilling cattle stampedes over depicted on the screen takes place in " The Trail Rider " attractißn. Thousands of enraged cattle are seen in a wild dash, while a mere handful of cowboys battle vainly to check them. A new. leading lady will bo seen opposite the Western star—Nancy Deaver, who has been on the legitimate stage since she was a child. Others to be seen in the picture includt, Lucy Fox, Carl Stockdale, Jack Mac Donald. George Berrell. Jacques Rollens and Will Walling. " Youthful Cheaters " is a Selznick production telling a thrilling story of life in the innermost circles of wealthy New York society.