ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19303, 16 April 1926, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE

The chief attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day will be " The Monster." It" is a ; Metro-Goldwyn production, adapted from the stage play by Crane Wilbur and directed by Roland West. Commencing with a mysterious disappearance, the picture gradually unfoids until the scene is set in a private sanitarium. From thence onward, weird and uncanny happenings present themeslves in quick succession. Faces peer from holes in the walls, doors mysteriously open and shut, by their own accord, hands and human forms emerge ghost-like from hidden doors, while later, the heroine is seized by unseen arms, a couch on which she had been reclining at the same time sinking beneath the floor. But the thrills are not exhausted at this period, for a fiendishly cruel and demented surgeon provides a breathless climax by endeavouring with the aid of nil electric chair, to transfer the i soul of • one unfortunate victim to the body of another. He fails however, and finally is himself entrapped l>y his own diabolical device. Johnny Arthur plays the principal role as amateur detective, Gertrude Olmstead is seen as Betty Watson, his sweetheart, while Lon Chaney takes the part of the demented surgeon. The second attraction will be a thrilling story of the North, entitled, " Tracked in the Snow Country," with Rin-tin-tin, the wonder dog of the soreen, in a leading part. In this picture Rin-tin-tin has a real acting part, beyig seen in the role of a dog falsely accused of a crime. His efforts to bring tbe real culprit to justice and thereby establish his own innocence provide the dramatic thread of the story. June Marlowe has the principle feminine role. A film of the recent Boy Scouts rally in the Domain and a news reel will be screened. The overture will be Liszt's " Rapsody No. 2" and Signor Martinengo will play as a 'cello solo Popper's " Tarantulle." MAJESTIC THEATRE. The principal feature to be screened at the Majestic Theatre for the first time today will be " The Count of Luxembourg." The story deals with a young man, known to the Latin quarter of Paris as an impoverished young artist, but who is in reality the Count of Luxembourg, living under the assumed name of Rcnce Duval. He is confronted with a proposition from Duke Rutzinoff to marry for a million francs an unknown and untitled stranger and afterwards divorce her. Duval at first refuses, but consents later, accepting it as a means of saving the life of his friend who is wounded in a streetbrawl. The wedding takes place Duval promising not to attempt to learn the identity of his bride. He proceeds to the Riviera where 0110 day he rescues her from drowning, but knows her only as Angele Didier, the most popular actress of Paris. They meet again at a bal masque and dance together as king and queen of the carnival, much to the jealousy of Duke Rutzinoff, who had arranged the marriage as a means of giving a title to the actress he had helped to fame. When Angele learns she has been dancing with her husband she scorns him for marrying her for her money and leaves him angrily. Duval attempts to follow, but the duke's secretary intervenes and forces a duel. Finally, Angele, learning that the count married her to save the life of his friend and that he had long, since paid back the money, goes to him when he has fought and defeated the secretary in the duel. The f.Tm is a Chadwick Pictures Co-operation release, with George Walsh and Helen Lee Worthing in the principal roles. The Majestic news, and review will also be screened. A prologue arranged by Theodor Trezise, and entitled " The Venus Models," will be presented. The overture will be Herold's " Zampa." and Mr. L. Jury will'play a cornet solo. GRAND THEATRE. " Pathos., subtle humour, and skilful acting," says a critic of the Metro-Gold-wyn production, " The Rag Man," which commences at the Grand Theatre to-day, " mak(» this picture a highly-diverting entertainment. That prince of youthful actors, Jackie Coogan, who has the title role, adds yet another success to his already long list. At one time Jackie appeared to screen pations as a busterhaired boy bubbling over with the fun of lifp. Latterly, however, his work has combined* humour with a strong human interest; and so it is in 'The Ragman.' Jackie Coogan, as Timothy Kelly, a little Irish orphan, is given up as lost as the result of a fire in an orphanage. Actually, he escapes from the barrier of brick walls to the freedom of New York's East Side. There he wins his wav into the heart of an aged ' junk' collector. Max Ginsberg, and from then on the firm of Ginsberg and Kelly makes great headway, chiefly owing to the astuteness of the junior partner. Young and old will delight in seeing Timothv bargaining for ' junk' when Ginsberg is at home with rheumatism. Later on. Timothy is invested with the task of finding' bread and butter for two, and how he wins out. makes a pleasing denouement. This friendship of an aged Jew and a young Irish boy lends a novel interest to "the plot. The part of Ginsberg is played by Max Davidson,' who juts into it all that one could desire. He is surely one of tbe most lovable 1 Junk' dealers one could find anywhere." RIALTO THEATRE. A new Reginald Denny picture, entitled. " Where Was I?" will head the programme to be presented at the change of screening at the Rialto Theatre to day. The story, with its many funny situations, starts in a directors' meeting, shifts to a subway train and thence to a taxi in the open rond, where manv adventures befall the party of three, consisting of Dennv, Chester Conklm and Lee Moran. The story ends after a general mix-up at Denny's apartment, in which two girls, police and irate directors take part. Ihe plot revolves around the efforts of a shy. young business man to discover where he was on a certain day. He loves one gn and another claims that she is married to him. The young man feels that he must refute the charge by proving an alibi His efforts to do this prove immensely entertaining. Additional to this film will be, "The Silent Accuser a new and remarkable dog pu-ture. I he storv is from the pen of Jack Boyle, the noted writer of many thrilling stories that have found their way to the screen after appearing in popular magazines. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Owing to the popularity which " The Phantom of the Opera " has enjoyed during tho past two weeks at Everybody's Theatre, it has been arranged to extend the period of its screening for still another week. The film is lavishly produced, most, of the scenes being notable for their magnificence and splendour, as well as for their care in detail. The story is a delightfully new one in theme, and abounds in thrilling episodes and mysterious occurrences which impart an atmosphere of breathless suspense throughtout its unfolding. Many beautiful effects are obtained, prominent among which are those depicted in the grand bal masque scene which has been filmed in colour. Lon Chaney, in his characterisation of the phantom, is particularly impressive and more than ever establishes his supremacy as a master in tho art of make-up. Mary Philbin as Christine Daae, the unknown singer, who rises to fame through the tuition of the phantom, is also good, and Norman Kerry is convincing as her lover. Altogether, the film is a noteworthy one, and well justifies the extended season accorded it. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The first concert of the Royal Auckland Choir will be held next Thursday when the choir will be assisted by the Kendall String Quartette which will mako its first appoarance in the Dominion. This celebrated quartette has just completed a most successful tour of Australia. The London Times says: "They bring to everything they p!ny real musicianship, i

NATIONAL AND LYftlC. "The Unguarded Hour," Tl vra j screened for the 'first time in. ■Auckiantl last evening at the National and Lyric Theatres,' brings the ever-popular Aiilton Sills to the screen in the somewhat unusual role of an Italian nobleman surrounded by luxury. The story opens with a dance party given by a vivacious and irresponsible young Virginia Gilbert, in a rich American home, to which is invited a number of crll JV inals. This startling party is. brought tp a termination by the police, who are seeking a man convicted of murder. Afterwards, Virginia seeks to elope but is frustrated by her father. ' I % hen the scene is moved to Italy, where the American girl arrives under" amazingly dangerous circumstances from which, however, she emerges unscathed. She is S laced under the caro of the Duchess ianca, for whom her father has a very ardent affection, and who introduces her to Andrea, the Duke. The latter has hitherto been unresponsive to feminine charms and graces, but Virginia, by a subterfuge, forces him to take an interest in her. A tragedy, which terminates, a one-sided love affair in which the duke's sister Elena is involved, is woven .into the theme of the story. Stelio, Elena's lover, continually waives aside the question of marriage, which Elena brings forward, and eventually she takes her life. It is this episode which gives Milton Sills, as the duke, nn opportunity, of showing that he is still the man of action, when Tie takes his revenge and drives Stelio to his death. The leading feminine role is played by Doris Kenyon as Virginia Gilbert. The supporting features include "The Gilded Butterfly," starring Alma Rubens. QUEEN'S THEATRE. " Captain Blood," a notable film version of Rafael Sabatini's famous novel, will . head the new programme at the Queen's Theatre to-day. The production is filled with fast and exciting action and ihas an atmosphere of grandeur which lifts it above the common level. The story tells of the deeds of a ruthless pirate who becomes the terror of the Spanish Main. The sinking of the pirate's ship and the explosion which destroys two French warships make a fitting climax to the production. There is also a great nava) battle. Dense masses of sailors swarm across ..-the decks, while the vessels are half hidden by the clouds of smoke from broadside after broadside-. The programme will also include a Master picture, " That Devil Quemado," starring Fred Thomson and his horse, Silver King, and a Charlie Chaplin comedy, " The Landlady's Pet." REGENT THEATRE. A First National adaptation of 11. Kitchell Webster's story, "Joseph Greer and His Daughter," filmed under the title "What Fools Men," with Lewis Stone, Shirley Mason, David Torrence and Barbara Bedford in the principal roles, will head the new programme at the Regent, Theatre this evening. It is a tale of a man who is deceived by his business partner and whose daughter elopes with a chauffeur, leaving him penniless and friendless. He gives Jiinihelf up to despair and seeks to drown his sorrows in dissipation. He is found at last by his secretary, who persuades him to make a fresh start in life with herself as his wife. Also included in the programme will' be a Metro-Goldwyn production, "The Silent Accuser," with the intelligent dog, Peter the Great, in tho main role. CAPITOL THEATRE. A race picture that should appeal to a very wide circle of picture-lovers will make its first appearance at the Capitol Theatre to-day. It is, "The Dixie Handicap," a Metro-Goldwyn production, considered to be one of the best pictures of its kind ever produced. Those who remember those stirring poems, "Kissing" Cup's Race" and "How We Beat the Favourite." will have a visual reflection of the excitement attaching to a race on which the honour of a proud old family of the Southern United States depends. Claire Windsor, Frank Keenan and Frank Lloyd have the main roles. The programme will''include a second stirring production. "The Fighting Heart, with George O'Brien in the principal role. A thrilling boxing contest is responsible for much of the excitement of the film. WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE. , The first appearance in New Zealand of the latest company of vaudeville artists from J. C. Williamson theatres in Australia will be made at His Majesty's Theatre next Wednesday. The company is headed by the aquatic marvel, Niobe, the mermaid, an exceedingly attractive young woman, who disports herself in a glass tank with a number of fish, breathes as they do and, also sings, talks, laughs, eats and drinks and does many other wonderful feats while under water. Her voice is quite audible in all parts of the theatre, although she is submerged.- Niobe holds the world's endurance record of/ foun minutes and twenty seconds under water. Walter Nilsson, trie daredevil comedian on wheels, thrills everybody, even the orchestra, by his amazing tricks at the top of a lofty unicycle. One of the most remarkable acts ever seen on the is • presented by Harmston's cockatoos, direct from America. Odette Delage, the Apache violinist, is an artiste of rare distinction who hails from France. Rupert the rotable London comedian, assisted by Elsie Day, will present "Ifarmonilaritv." The Flemings, the American athletic stars, will make their first nnpearance in Grecian poses. From the Continent comes Francois, the wonder man on the globe. Another newcomer, pretty and charminfly gowned, is Dorothy Browne, with her piano-accordeon. relaying all thr> latest successes. .Tones and Raines, the Welsh rarebit and his dainty partner, ; will also appear. Bo\* plans for the season will or>en nest Mondav morning at Lewis R. Eadv and Son, Ltd. UNIVERSITY CONCERT. The annual tournament concert organised bv the students of Auckland University College will bo held in Scots Hall this evening. Tho programme will include soncs by Miss Constance Howard and Mr. Arthur Thompson, and instrumental items by the Moore Sisters and Mr. Ronald Muston. Variety will be lent to the entertainment by the performance of two playlets, " Tw/d's Company," and "A Drama of Advertisements." The casts will include Misses Noreen Bennett and Jean Robertson, and Messrs. Jack Coppard, Jack Cox and Dave Todd. With such popular favourites in the casts these productions should be one of the most attractive features of the concert. The Wilson Brothers will bo seen in an impressive gymnastic display entitled, "Art in Athletics," and Mr. W. G. Trevarthen will give a humorous sketch. The college orchestra, under tho baton of Mr. IT. Leslie Takle, will also contribute to the entertainment. Tho box plan will be at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. until 5 p.m. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. A most attractive programme . will be presented at the municipal concert which will take place in the Town Hall to-mor-row evening. The Municipal Choir will be heard in " How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings" (Brahms), "Echoes" (Sullivan). "Departure" (Mendelssohn) and "Breathe So Softly, Ye Breezes" (Donald). Vocal numbers will be rendered by Miss Vera Moginie. The acting city organist, Mr. Edgar Randal will include in his items the Concert Overture in G Minor, by Alfred Ilollins, and the Great Pedal Etyde, by Faulkes. Mr. Leo Wh:ttaker. will _ act as accompanist. . • -V.! = : .