ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19274, 12 March 1926, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

IIVOL! AND PRINCESS. One of the so-called "cripple factories" which were once a feature of the life oi the famous Bowery district 111 New Yorli is shown in detail in Herbert Brenon'j latest Paramount production. " The Street of Forgotten Men," which was * shown at the Tivoli and Princess Theatres for the first time yesterday. Day and night in tho " factories," which were wellknown to the police, shifts of professional t beggars we.ro fitted with false bandages , false high-heeled shoes, artificial arms anc j legs and other trick paraphernalia for * winning the sympathy of passers-by ir 3 the streets. In tho film beggars are s shown being made up under the experl hand of Adolphe, a little Frenchman whc ] was famous in his day for his artistic transformations. Piles of artificial limbs " canes and crutches give atmosphere to the place, as do the pictures of famous beggar? which adorn the dingy walls. There arc signs reading, " I Am Blind" anc " Please Help a Cripple " which add a note of sardonic humour, especially wher these " blind " and " crippled " men art , seen stowing away their street clothes in 3 lockers while they don their begging cos--5 tumes. The names which are scrawled on " these locker doors are interesting iu them- ' selves ; Bridgeport White-Eye, Easy-Money i Charlie, London Tip, Ed the Flop, 1 Chicago Stick and others, even including Handsome Harry and Diamond Dick. " The Street of Forgotten Men" is * adapted from a Liberty Magazine -story - by George Kibbe Turner and tells of s . sham cripple who gains a generous livelihood by begging. One day there is left to his care a little orphan girl whom lie ! afterwards adopts as his daughter. The I girl is brought up in luxury as a member . of fashionable society and in complete ( ignorance of her adopted parent's double life. She is engaged to marry a success- " ful young lawyer, when " White-Eye," an i acquaintance oi" her guardian, learns her secret and attempts olackmail. This is tho situation which her guardian has feared all his life, but he proves equal > to the occasion and a series of highly- - dramatic scenes lead lip to a satisfactory i conclusion. Percy Marmont, Mary Brian > and Neil Hamilton head the cast. "The - Fighting Cub," a Universal production, j starring Mary Carr and Pat O'Malley, is - also screened at the Tivoli Theatre. r . MAJESTIC THEATRE. . A film that differs considerably from j the ordinary type will head tho new programme which commences at the Majestic Theatre to-day. It is "The Snob," a Metro-Goldwyn production, directed by Monta Bell, and starring Norma Shearer and John Gilbert. It is an unusual story r in respect at least in that the central character is an unsympathetic one, and ' most of the picture is used to throw into | relief this personality. The story was adapted -by the director himself from tho [ popular novel by Helen R. Martin. John " Gilbert, popular screen star, who became nationally known with his work in j " Monte Cristo," "Cameo Kirby" and other pictures, has one of the most unusual roles of his career as "the snob." 1 The story centres round a young instruc- " tor in an academy in a Pennsylvania Dutch town, who has ambitions to scale tho social heights. He seeks tho Hand of [ a wealthy girl, but marries a school j teacher who loves him,, when she is apparently dying. She lives, however, and he j makes their married existence one of conr tinued unpleasantness. A young artist J who loves the school teacher, but has lost j sight of her, is shocked to find she has married the snob, who even since becoming a father has continued his attention? s to the society girl. The young mother q finally learns oi her husband's indiscre- { tions and promises to marry the artist I after her . divorce is gained. Included in . the supporting cast are -Conrad Nagel, a Phyllis Kaver, Hedda Hopper, Jack Cur--0 tis. Aileen Manning., and Margaret Sedj don. A film of the last meeting at Wei- , lington of Rose and Hahn and an Oui ' Gang comedy, "Sunday Calm," will alsc 1 bo screened. The overture will be "Carmen," which will be accompanied by c I stage presentation by the Strand-Majes-a tic ballet. An orchestral novelty, "A e Motor Ride," will also bo given, and a Theodore Tresize and Valeslta, assisted by ,1 the ballet, will give an interpretation ol the Charleston, f s RIALTO THEATRE 1 Between licr last picture, " Madame Sans Gene," and her new production, " The Coast of Folly ," Gloria Swanson - bridges the groat social chasm betweer u a washerwoman and a member of fcht - most exclusive circles of New Yorli g society. " The Coast of Folley," which is e a Paramount picture, will be ahowD ai i the Rialto Theatre for a short seasor i commencing to-day. In " Madame Sans r Gene" Gloria Swanson was the famou: laundress who became a duchess and in- , fluenced even the mighty Napoelon. _ Ir i the present story she is the radiani i society girl, skimming through the t butterfly life of Palm Beach and New a York, the ideal of fashion. Paris alsc i- provides an atmosphere of wealth anc a culture for her, when she portrays the a Countess de Tauro. ' Tho Coast ol Folly," directed by Allan Dwan, give! i Gloria Swanson a great opportunity foi . acting, since aside from the society e glamour in which she moves, there arc e sequences of real drama. The pathos anc ' the happiness of love, and the splendid - fighting qualities of a girl whc faces a e crushing problem, afford further avenuej for the star's dramatic ability. Anthony ? Jowitt, recently seen in " The Little e French Girl," heads the cast playing ir e support of the star. Others include - Dorothy Cummings, Alec Francis, Jec s Prouty, Lawrence Gray, Arthur Hausmar 7 and Eugenio Besserer. Forrest Halsey i who wrote the screen play, "Madame . Sans Gene," adapted this story for the , screen from the best selling novel of the e same name by Coningsby Dawson. Ir a addition a Chadwick Pictures Corporation e release, " The Midnight Girl," starring Lila Leo, is included in the programme, The story tells of the struggles oi! a Ruse sian girl to secure recognition as a singer s in a great city. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Betty Compson, Richard Dix, Lewif e Stone, and lully Marshall head an im--0 posing cast in the Paramount production. 1 { 'The Stranger," which is now being 5 screened at the Hippodrome Theatre. The picture is a film version of John Galsworthy's story, "The First and the Last." It is a baffling mystery story, telling ol the struggle oi a girl of the streets for happiness. When the prize is almost within her grasp the man she loves becomes a fugitive from justice. Then another, the Stranger, assumes responsibility for the crime and pays the last 1 penalty, leaving the girl and her lover t< - ponder over tho reasons for his strange B sacrifice. In order to Eecure the correct s atmosphere whole blocks of London streets r were reproduced in Hollywood. The pub--1 lie squares, alleys and exteriors of houses were modelled on actual London scenes. The film was directed by Joseph Henaberry. The supporting programme is headed by "The Fire Patrol,* r a stirring x story of the sea and a life-long search s for "vengeance. Anna Q. Nilsson and . Madge Bellamy head a strong cast. An - amusing comedy and a varied supporting - programme are also shown.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Comedy -will predominate throughout the new programme commencing at the Queen' Theatre to-day, "The Adventures of Algie," a Beaumont Smith production, "The Sunshine Trail," a Master picture, starring Douglas Mac Lean, and "Down to the Sea in Shoes," Max Bennett's latest success, will be the principal attractions. "The Adventures of Algie," in which Claude Dampier and Bathia Stuart have the featured roles is a highly entertaining production telling of two cousins in England who inherll land in New Zealand. As the first to reach the Dominion is to have first choice of his portion of the land, there ensues a thrilling race half round the world in which the hero is defeated by the trickery of his cousin. But the defeated cousin has his revenge later on when oil ia discovered on his property, and he win* th® love of the heroine to the great chagria of his rryai

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. A vary happy blending of comedy and drama characterises the programme shown for the first time at the National and Lyric Theatres yesterday. As well a& these elements the second and greater feature, : "The Pace That Thrills," has a slight touch of pathos. These three elements are ' blended with considerable artistic skill ' and combir.e to furnish a first-class enter--1 tainment. The picturo tells the story of ' an orphanage boy who rises to be a star L lilm actor, while his aged mother is sorv- ' ing a life sentence of imprisonment for the alleged murder of her husband. Ihe I role of the hero, Danny Dale, is taken by 1 Ben Lyon, who fits the part perfectly. t Mary Astor, who plays opposite him, , makes a chirming heroine, "Die plot works ( up to a very exciting climax, and on , one eventful day Danny obtains his , mother's purdon, "clears himself of nn implication of cowardice, and wins "the only | girl in the world." The other big picture, i "Wages for Wives," contains less drama . and much more humour. Three married [ couples aro concerned in the plot and , between ea.ch couple a different relation i exists. These relationships are played ! upon very cleverly and produce an abundi ance of humour. Two of the women folk • are prevailed upon by the third to "go i on strike," until their husbands give them half of their earnings. The three men ' represent three types, of husband, the > newly-married and much in love, the glad- ! to-get-away-for-a-month type, and the elderly man who thinks he can do without ' his wife until ho loses her. A good supporting programme includes a clever com- ' edy on the subject of the millionaire bachelor and a scenic film of Christ church. STRAND THEATRE. Specially varied entertainment is offered 1 by the programme to be presented at the 1 Strand Theatre to-day. It consists of the first of a now series of Elaine ' Hammerstein films, entitled "Broadway Gold," the great, scenic film "Won- ' derful London," and several supporting ' pictures. "Wonderful London" is unique as a scenic film, for it seeks to present- ! the very spirit of the world's capital. It gives a collection of interesting suip- | pets, littlo glimpses of unexpected beauty; little scenes that seem to ba from another ! clime; little happenings that seem to he ' of another age; new viewpoints of London ; London from the top of tho Monument and from the campanile of Westminster Cathedral} little glimpses of the suburbs; little comedies and tragedies of . everyday life; and little oddities such as a West End London street without a ; lamp-post—the only one in London ! Its , scenes are full of the atmosphere of Lon- ■ don. London characters, old and new, ■ flit in and out. No effort has been spared, ■ it seems, <;o make "Wonderful London" I a film of delightful moments. It delves i into out-of-the-way corners, points out i unknown or unrememhored beauties, i catches glimpses of tho' very lives of reprei sentatives of the twaimiug millions of the i inhabitant!!. Tho second feature on the • programme, "Broadway Gold." is a i romance oi! a New York chorus girl and is | noteworthy as tho first picturo shown ill . New Zealand in which Elaine Hammerstein taken an independent leading role. A good supporting programme will intro- , duco theso films and "Merry England" > will bo rendered as an overture by the f orchestra.. ; WIRTH ISROS.' CIRCUS. Wirth Brothers' circus and menagerio ; will open this evening at tho corner of : Quay Street and Breakwater Road. Tho i season will be of six nighta. Matinees • will he given to-morrow afternoon and on s Wednesday afternoon. Mr. P. Wirth has ' recently completed a world tour during - which lie was able to secure a large mun- < bcr of now acts which will bo included in i each evening performance in Auckland. , They include the marvellous Torelii'a • circus ol: performing dogs, monkeys, - mules and ponies; Captain Bott'B seals, • dogs, monkeys and bantam roosters j the • Honey Sisters, described as human butter- > flies, and Miss Eileen May, the lady • olephant trainer. One of tho most spec- • tacular features of tho programme Is pro- - vided by the herd of 12 performing. el* i phants. These gigantic animals are seen 1 in a wonderful cattle scene in which tho f whole herd charges at once with irrosistf ible power. Tho elephants have been trained by Profossor Harry Mooney and are introduced by Miss Eileen May. Captain Bett's performing seals reveal heights in animal training hitherto undreamed of. Tight wire performances will bo given by Miss GoMa and daring trapeze work by ■' Miss Doris. Earl Dudley, claimed to be . tho only riding ponv in the world, will ' appear, too acting ot this animal being a I result of tho wonderful training skill of ' Mr. P. Wirth himself, Alfred Clark,, t described as England's greatest rider, la , also with the company. Tho circus ins eludes Wirth Brothers' stock company of s acrobats, animal trainers, clowns, jockeys, equestriennes, performing ponies and i trained wild animals. Wirth's special t band under the baton of Mr. Hugh McQ Mahon, the great cometisfc. will provide t lively musical programmes. The zoo will 3 be open from 4to 5 o'clock each day when' 1 the animals will be fed. box plans 0 are at Lowis R. Eady aaa Son, Ltd. f• ■ s r GRAND THEATRE. \T e A strong cast including Blanche Sweet, 3 Conrad Nagel, Stuart' Holmes and George 3 Fawcett, plays tho Metro- Goldwyn adap--1 tation of Thomas Hardy's famous Engs lish classic, "Teas of tho D'Urb&rvilles," j which will commence at ' the Grand p Theatre to-day. Blanche Sweet is said i to rise to supreme heights of dramatic B artistry is this production, which _ gives 3 an exceptional opportunity for acting of a the highest order. The story is a tragic • one, and tho drama is said to ba sustained e with the greatest success throughout. A 0 complete production unit left America for 0 England m order that tho picture might a be filmed on tho actual locations described. 1 in the novel. Marshall Neilaa acted as g director. ; REGENT THEATRE, A virile story of the Canadian north words forms thp basis of "The Knockout," a First National production, starring Milton Sills, which commences at tho Res gent Theatre this evening. Sills k seen as a champion boxer who receive# ftii illjury, and is compelled to go to tho north j words to recuperate. His adventures in • the lumbar camps where he obtained employment are many and thrilling.