ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19242, 3 February 1926, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. One of the outstanding features of lie ,"William Fox production of Mrs. Henry Wood's renowned stage play of former 3'ijars, "East Lynne," which opens tomorrow at the National and Lyric Theatres, is the unusual prominence of a remarkably strong cast of screen- artists. Infinite care war, exercised in casting players for the feature roles. Edmund Lowe, popular Fox romantic star, portrays Archibald Carlyle. This role is acknowledged tp be the most dramatic characterisation played by the handsome star since his interpretation of the title role in Channing Pollock's widnly-dis-cnssed play, "The Fool." Stately Alma Rubens is,, cast in the leading role opposite Lowe. The role of Lady Isabel is one demanding an actress of marked emotional talent. Alma Rubens' work in "East Lynns' 4 is said to surpass the hip;h honours won by her in the difficult roles of "Gerald Cranston's Lady." "The Dancers" and "She Wolves." For the first time in his notable career, Lou Tellegen, hailed by devotees of stage and screen as "the perfect lover," steps from his pedestal and assumes the habiliments of the villain. With intense interest in this new type of interpretation, he launched into .< the building of a thoroughly hated screen character. The result has been that his Francis Levison in "East Lynne" places him on a par with the screen's most noted "heavies." Gracing the leading character role is none other than Frank Keenan, known the world over for his fine and intelligent screen impersonations. Ho is cast in the role of Chief Justice Hare, a stern-minded mi lister of justice, whose cupidity drives his own son from 'his door. Swdct and demure Marjorie Daw, fresh from triumphs in Europe, is seen in the role of Barbara Hare. Her delightful interpretation is enhanced by the picturesque mode of dress of the period. Belle Bennett, Paul Panzer, Lydia Knott., Martha Mattox, _ Leslie Fenton and little Richard Headrick are other well-known players in _ the large cast. The production was directed by Emmett Flynne.

, RIALTO THEATRE. An unusually daring plot is one of the outstanding features of Frederick Lonjsdale's stage success, " Spring Cleaning," which has been transferred to the screen for Paramount by William de Mille under the title of " The Fast Set." The film, version heads the current double-feature programme at the Rialto Theatre. The story tells of Richard Sones. who is so wrapped up in a book which he is attempting to write that ho neglects his •wife. She becomes restless, and, making the acquaintance of Ernest Steele, a popular bachelor, arid his friends, she sets out in search of pleasure and enjoyment. The hero forbids his wife to allow her friends in his home, but she insists upon giving a banquet, which she has arranged for that evening. Rfchard apparently acquiesces, but orders the butler to lay an extra place at the table. Ho then goes out, but returns when the banquet is at its height, bringing with him a. woman of the streets.' There is a surprising and effective climax, in which the husband and tho false lover are brought face to face, and a happy ending is finally reached. The cast includes Betty Gompson, Adolphe Menjou, Elliott Dexter and Zasu Pitts. "Tho Speed Spook," produced by C. C. Burr, with Johnny Hines in the leading role, is the second featured Sim. " Fast action predominates in ' The Speed Spook,' and humorous situations are frequent," says & critic. "14is a rollicking melodrama and holds tho at' te alien at all times. The sub-titles from the pen of Ralph Spence are the best seen in .a long time. It should satisfy almost anyone." The' film centres round :a thrilling automobile race, but there is another sequence, which is said to be / even more exciting. It is that in which Johnny Hines, in his role as the hero, is thrown' into an arsenal to prevent his 1 competing in an automobile race. Fortunately the arsenal houses an armoured tank, such as was used in the world war. • The picture shows Hines tinkering with the motor. After a few moments' work the motor picks up, Hines drops into the driver's seat, closes the protecting lid, "and, racing the motor at full speed, drives the tank right' at the stons arsenal wall.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. 'A new screen star will make her debut before Auckland audiences in two separate pictures this week. She is Norma Shearer, a Canadian girl, v.'ho is acclaimed as one of the most capable and most attractive "finds" maid© in film circles for some considerable time. She was discovered by the Metro-Gold-wyn Company, and has been given leading roiea in a number of the most important of the company's forthcoming productions. She will make her first appearance in Auckland on Friday 'in "He Who Gats Slapped," at the Majestic Theatre, and "Broken Barriers," at the Strand. "He Who Gets Slapped" has the further recommendations that it- was produced by the noted director, Victor Seastrom, and that the leading male roles tire played by Lou Chaney, cine of the most, popular actors of the screen, and John Gilbert, who is rapidly gaining in ' public favour. The film is said to he filled with intense drama which holds the andience breathlessly interested through every scene from beginning to end. The story tells of the terrible vengeance which a disappointed inventor wreaks upon the dishonest patron who has betrayed him. In securing his vengeance the hero sacrifices his own life, bat he dies happy. Ths supporting programme will include an Out of the Inkwell cartoon entitled, ■"A Trip to Mare'," a Pathe review, and a Majestic news reel Iri addition Wish Wynne, the famous English character actress, "who has received a remarkably enthusiastic reception at the Strand Theatre, will appear in a number of new and amusing sketches. She is recognised by critics in all parts of the world as an artist of a high order, and !Aucklanders should not miss this opportunity of seeing her work. The new musical prologue will include the prologue to the opera "I Pagliaceii," and the overture will be from Wagner's " Tannhauser."

TTYO'LI THEATRE, The current programme at the Tivoli Theatre headed by "Taming the West," starring Hoot Gibson, and " Grounds for Divorce/' with Florence Vidor in ,the leading role, Drill conclude to-morrow. On Friday the principal attraction mil be " The Teaser," in which Laura. La Plants introduces a new kind of screen flapper. With Pat O'Malley in the leading role this new Universal-Jewel production is said to be one of the outstanding comedydramas of the year. It is an adaptation of the famous magazine story by Adelaide Matthews and Martha Stanley, and is presented with a large cast of well-known screen artists in support of the two stars. Laura La Plante plays the rols of a girl who falls in love with a cigar salesman, only to find that his breezy ways and " loud " raiment do not meet with the approval of her family. Then, to get ev»*n when her aunt interferes in this odd love affair, she proceeds to flirt with all the married men in their set. Complications come thick and fast., for one angrv wife threatens to narae her in a divorce surt, another is vowing revenge because ol an innocent flirtation which did not look as harmless as it was, and then the cigar seller returns, after having taken OT e t iq T Ue irom a de P°sed duke. Oi course, he becomes extremely jealous Comedy and thrills arc said to follow in the fiim CeSSI TK throu f? h the remainder of Wnnn»r IX7 n® 1Ilcl « (leS Heddll Hopper, Walter McGrail, Wyndham Standing, Vman Oakland, Bryai Musson and Margaret Quimby.' The second attraction is " Lost, A Wife," a Paramount comedy-drama starring Adolpho Menjoc and Greta Nissen.

THE MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will E ky at Volnt Erin Park at 7.45 this evening. The programme to be presented includes the overturn ' Dawn of Peace," selections *• Ji Trovatore and " Memo England," instrumental solos by Messes. Hal C. McLennan and Fred-Bowes, and many ,other tuneful items.

" SCARAMOUCHES By all who have seen it, *" 1 Scara- ; mouche," thei Metro production now showing at Everybody's Theatre, has been acclaimed as one of the screen's masterpieces. There was not one critic, it is claimed, in the United States or Great Britain who did not eulogise- 1 the production, and then came the news that " Searamouche" had won tiie Adolph Zukor prize as the best picture of 19,'24. It was awarded this by a group of prominent men who acted as judges. " Searamouche " undoubtedly will carve a niche in the hall of fame and be remembered an one of the screen's outstanding achievements. To Rex Ingram goes tha cpedit for this magnificent romance in its screen form. It is a picture whose characters live as vividly as they did in the printed pages of Rafael Sahatini. The appeal of the tensely dramatic period of the French revolution, the skilful handling of the vast concourse of actors, tbi excellent characterisations of the leading players, bring to the screen in " Searamouche " a picture that is expected to create new attendance records. With a cast of 30, headed by Alice Terry, Ramon Novarro and Lewis Stone, and extras to the number of 10,000, Rex Ingram has brought to life those stirring days of tho French Revolution. Not only is this, picture remarkable _ for tho drama, the pulsing story, and the great work of tho director, bat its historical and educational valuo should be very great. GRAND THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin's latest comedy, " The Gold Rush," released by United Artists, continues to attract enthusiastic audiences at the Grand Theatre. "Through all the picture," says a critic, " Chaplin has not forgotten the children. There is a tenderness in the little comedian for the children of tlbe nations. They were his first admirers, and well he knows it. It wac their response that led him on to fame and fortune. And always, in the making of comedy, he considers them. And yet, in his role of the unfortunate prospector Chaplin presents the biography of a life with complete understanding and sympathy. While the pathos and sufferings of the characters are converted into laughter, there is linked to the picture a chain of circumstantial tragedy that is relieved by the great comedian's maistery of pantomime and comedy." The story relates the misfortunes of a hopeful but inexperienced prospector, who joins the great, rush to the Klondike, which occurred about 30 years ago. Wandering from the main trail he is soon lost in a snowstorm, without food or shelter. Ho comes upon a hut in which is hiding a man hunted by the police. The comic eiemont develops rapidly when the forlorn ho.ro is ordered out again into the blinding snow. After many adventures, in which comedy and tragedy are skilfully blended, he 'is able to retprn at last a millionaire, and live a life of. luxury and ease. VOCAL RECITAL. A vocal recital vrill be given in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening by Miss Laura Walker and Miss Ida Walker, assisted by Miss Dorothy Baker, viplioist. The programme will include operatic numbers and excerpts from Schumann, Brahms, Chopig. Massenet, Holstv, Stanford, Shaw and Bemberg, and ijd!ao folic songs. Miss Ida Walker, who recently returned from tho Melba Conseirvatcirium, Melbourne, has won high pracise from both Dame Nellie Melba and Diuno Clara Butt. The bo:>: plan is now ■ojjen at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd LADIES? PIPE BAND. The Australian Ladies' Pipe Band will give a programme in Albert Park this evening of band selections, singing, elocution, Highland dancing and many other items. It "will be one of novelty from start to finish. The band will march frqm Queen Street to the Park at 7.30, and the programme will commence at 7.45. A collection avill be taken np. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Norma Talmadg© will appear in an adaptation of Martin Brown's popular stage play, " The Lady," at the Britannia Theatre this evening. Produced by First National, the film tells a tragic story of & young wife who loses both her husband I and her baby. A varied selection of vaudeville items will also be included in •iihe programme.