ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19453, 8 October 1926, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

• STRAND THEATRE. A remarkable British film entitled "The Loves of Mary Queen of Scots," will commence at the Strand Theatre to-day. The unfortunate Queen Mary is one of the most fascinating characters of Scottish history. From childhood she was educated in France and at the age of sixteen married the Dauphin. Two years later her husband died and in 1561 she returned to Scotland, and endeavoured to introduce some of the French gaiety into the Scottish Court. Her beauty and her accomplished wit made her very popular, except among the stern Protestants and old Scottish nobility, who were horrified at her extravagance. To the djsgust of her friends she married Darnlev, one of the Scottish nobles, in 1565. He was a sol fish arrogant type of man, and it was not long before Mary saw as little of him as possible. After the disillusionment of her marriage, she made friends with Rizzio, an Italian musician who was established in the Scottish Court. So frierdly did they become that she appointed him as one of her persona] secretaries. Darn loy became jealous at this close friendship between his wife and the Italian secretary, and ir> 1566 murdered him. In 1566 two other important events in the life of Mary took place. One was the birth of her son, .Tames, and the other the death of her husband, Darnley. Many suspected her of being an accomplice to Parnley's death, but this has never been proved. Dnring this time Mary had formed another close friendship with Both well, one of the most powerful of the Scottish nobles. In 1567, Bothwell obtained a divorce from his wife, Lady Jane Gordon, and married Mary. This whs more than the Scottish people could stand, and they rose against them. Both wo.]] fled, and Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, and forced to abdicate. After many further adventures she was beheaded. Fay Compton and Gerald Hines play the leading roles in the film. The supporting programme will include a comedy and topical pictures. Madame Annette Hayward will ;|ppear in a scena entitled "Fireside Memories," and will sing "John Anderson" and "Come Home Again." The orchestra will play Scottish airs. Dnring the day sessions "Below the Line," a Master picture, with Rin-Tin-Tin, June Marlowe, and Johnny Harron in the principal roles, will also be shown. GRAND THEATRE. "Hair-raising thrills, are the particular mark of distinction of "The Monster," a Metro-Gold wyn production, adapted from a stage play by Crane Wilbur," says nn American critic. "The Monster;" in which Lon Chaney plays an important role, will head the new programme at the Grand Theatre to-day. "It is all very thrilling, weird and at times gruesome," continues the critic quoted. "Roland West has directed the picture, so that unusual suspense is maintained. Once the sanitarium scene is reached there is not a moment when the interest is not held at high pitch while the spectator waits in awo to see what spooky and unearthly things will happen next, and he is not kept waiting long, for the thrills occur with rapid-firo precision. To offset, the tenseness of the action considerably, comedy is introduced in the character of the village detective, a correspondence school graduate, who finally unravels the mystery." Lon Clmney has the role of a fiendishly cruel demented surgeon, Johnny Arthur appears as an amateur detective, and Gertrude Olmstead plays his sweetheart. The scone of the story is laid in a private sanitarium, where faces peer from holes in the walls, doors mysteriously open and shut of their own accord, and hands and human forms emerge ghost-like from hidden doors. The climax is reached when the demented surgeon attempts with the aid of an electric chair to transfer the soul of one living person to the body of another. His plan does not succeed, however, and ultimately he is entrapped in his own diabolical devices. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Norma Shearer and Lew Cody have the principal roles in "A Slave of Fashion," a Metro-Goldwyn production directed by Hobart Henley, which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the first time today. The story is that of a very beautiful and unsophisticated girl who has lived in a midd-jl western village all her life, but has longed to go to the city, primarily to be able to see and wear beautiful clothes. She gets her wish, but almost at the cost of her good name, and the wrecking of her home. However, the family honour and happiness are saved; and the girl wins a wealthy luishand. The film will be preceded by a special feature, "Reverie," and Miss Christina Ormiston will sing "Annie Laurie" and "Tho Last Roso of Summer." A musical interlude with special stage and lighting effects will be provided by the orchestra. Miss Doreen O'Leary will appear in attractive dances. The supporting programme will include a New Zealand scenic, "Summer Lands," and topical pictures. The overture will ho Weber's "Oberon." Tho fourth lesson of "How to Dance the Charleston" will be screened during the afternoon and early evening session*. RIALTO AND REGENT. A swiftly-moving melodrama in which the central character is a girl criminal will be shown at the Rialto and Regent Theatres for the first time to-day. It is " The Splendid Crime," a Paramount production in which Bebe Daniels has the leading role. She is said to give a performance that surpasses anything she has ever done before. Hero she appears as the junior and only feminino member of a trio of criminals possessed of more ambition than skill in tho art of housebreaking. It is a rolo made to order for her because it offers her a splendid opportunity to shine as a comedienne. Neil Hamilton makes an excellent loading man. As the society millionaire, whose spendthrift ways bring him to tho verge of bankruptcy, he has a part that calls for elegance of manner and an ability to rise to, the dramatic moments. The second featured film will bo " American Manners," in which |.Richard Talmadge, popular " stunt" actor, is starred. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Especially beautiful outdoor settings have been chosen," says a critic of "The Heritage of the Desert," a Paramount adaptation of Zane. Grey's popular story, which is now being screened at tho Queen's Theatre. "This is a feature that will bo noticed again and again as tho sheep-grazing scenes, the wide stretches of dosert, rocks and views of tho fire, which provides tho climax arc screened," the critic adds. An exceptionally strong cast appears in the picture, the leading players being Bche Daniels, Ernest Torronco, Lloyd Hughes and Noah Beery. Tho film was directed by Irvin Willat, who lifts produced many highly successful western pictures, including several adaptations of Zano Grey's stories. "His Majesty, Bunker Bean," an irresistibly amusing farcical comedy completes tho programme. It concerns a timid young clerk who is informed by a clairvoyant that he is tho reincarnation of Napoleon. With the sudden access of confidence resulting from this information he forces his way upward in the business world and meets with astounding success. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Two unusually attractive comedies will be shown at tho Prince Edward Theatro for the first time this evening. The first is " His Majesty, Bunker Bean," which combines an interesting psychological study with delightful amusement. Tho story concerns a timid young offico clerk who is assured by a clairvoyant that he is tho reincarnation of Napoleon. This information' gives him unwonted confidence, and he commences to bully tho overhearing manager instead of cringing before him as in tho past. Ultimately ho achieves astounding success in business. Tho second attraction is " Dr. Jack," one of Harold Lloyd's most amusing and most successful comedies. The hero is a doctor whoso kindly nature prompts him to render assistance wherever it is needed without a thought of personal train. Mildred Davis appears as the heroine.

NATIONAL AND LI'RIC. Chester Conklin, of comedy fame, has a new role in the First National relAse, "The Wilderness Woman," now showing at the National and Lyric Theatres. As Kadjak Mac Lean, an Alaskan miner, he takes a more serious part than is his custom. The story opens in Alaska, where Mac Lean and his daughter Juneau (Aileen Pringle) are living together. Mac Lean has achieved success in mining operations and, selling his property for a million dollars, he sets out with his daughter for New York. During the journey they fall in with two tricksters who, realising that the visitors are unused to the ways of the city, decide to defraud them of theii* money. As Mac Lean shows an interest in tube railways, they endeavour to sell him one of the substations. Though totally unsuspecting, he refuses to buy because he does not believe that it is possible for the trains to go under the river. There are several amusing episodes when the pair reach New York. The heavy fur coat of the miner and the flowing dresses of the girl cause a good deal of laughter wherever they go. To complicate matters the girl refuses to part with her pet bear. However, the change in environment soon has its effect on her and when she dresses in the fashion her male acquaintances soon see that she possesses great beauty. Brought up in the wilds, she has commonsense and does not allow herself to be carried away by the glamour of her new life. Indeed, when one of the men who have tried to dupe her father endeavours to make love to her, she becomes infuriated and knocks him down. Finally, after a number of mistakes in society, Mac Lean settles down to the new life, and his daughter finds happiness with the man who bought his mine and helped them during the early part of their stay in the city. An amusing comedy-drama is shown in "More Pay—Less Work," from the story by Peter B. Kyne. The story centres round the affairs of Cappy Ricks' daughter and the son of his business rival. How the two young people succeed in bringing their parents to understand each other provides enjoyable light entertainment. Included in the programme is an episode in a serial account of Amundsen's flight to the North Pole, a Felix cartoon and a Gaumont Graphic. , CHINESE DRAMATIC COMPANY. With a cast composed entirely of Chinese and supported by an English and Chinese orchestra, "Oy Kwok Yuen Yong," a play unique in the annals of Auckland amateur theatricals, will be presented at Scots Hall next Monday evening. The production is being staged under the auspices of the Chinese National Amateur Dramatic Company and the net proceeds are to be devoted to Auckland Hospital. MUNICIPAL RECITAL. An organ recital will be given by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, city organist, in the Town Hall on Sunday evening. A popular programme of selections from the works of Bach, Widor, Sibelius and other composers will be presented.