ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19512, 16 December 1926, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Described as the most startling revelation of the unreliability of circumstantial evidence ever portrayed " The Blind Goddess," a Paramount picture, will be shown to-day for the first time at the Princess and fivoh Theatres. As a brilliant young prosecuting attorney, who is faced with the dilemma of choosing between the girl he loves and his ideal of duty, Jack Holt is said to have a powerful, dramatic - ole, radically different from any he has previously held. The story, directed by Victor Fleming, with Esther Ralston, Ernest Torrence and Louise Dresser sharing the honours with Holt, was adapted from Arthur Train's widulvread novel of the same name. The locale of the picture is New York and the action ranges from the grim routine of the criminal cpurts to the smart social atmosphere of the exclusive Fifth Avenue homes. Romance, politics, mother love and a spectacular murder trial are deftly interwoven in a plot throbbing with human interest and genuine heart appeal Miss Dresser plays the part of a woman accused of murdering a powerful politician. Events leading up to and following the crime indicate that she is guilty The gun found alongside the dead man's body is proved to be her own. She was last seen with him. Her latch-key was discovered in the <room where the murder had been committed. She was fleeing from the city at the time of her arrest. This and other circumstantial evidence is used to build up the case against her. The lawyer is told to prosecute and his fiancee demands that he should ask for the extreme penalty. Unknown to the girl, the accused woman is her mother, who had deserted her husband many years before. What happened when the lawyer resigns .his position and gives up the girl he loves to protect the mother, makes a picture of tremendous appeal. A man, a horse and a dog, are the three actors who make " Sky High Corral," Art Acord's latest starring picture, excellent entertainment. This film will be shown in addition to " The Blind Goddess." Assisting Acord in the - picture are his horse, Raven, and his dog, Rex.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Wholesome and fascinating comedy is provided in the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor production, "Don't,"' to commence at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Although possessing an underlying note of seriousness, the picture, which is somewhat of a study of the psychology of young people, has been treated from a comedy angle. The istory is of a young girl who returns from college to a home where life is mainly a series of prohibitions. After eloping with her sweetheart she is embroiled in a series of adventures of a highly sensa- j tional nature. One of the great thrills is a breathless motor ride in a car driven by a lunatic. Round dizzy mountain heights . and along rough country roads the car speeds driven at a furious pace by the madman. The story is adapted from a novel by Rupert Hughes. The direction was entrusted to Alf Goulding, who succeeded in introducing several humorous episodes which add greatly to the comedy attraction. In the cast are Sally O'Neil, the brilliant little comedienne of "Mike" and "The Auction Block," Bert Roach, Karl Dane, John Patrick and De Witt Jennings. Miss O'Neil appears as the college girl and Patrick takes the part of her sweetheart. Bert Roach appears as the bibulous and benevolent uncle of .the girl and as such he is responsible for much of the fun. He is said to be irresistibly funny, his absurd antics being calculated to provoke endless mirth. In addition the Majestic News, a New Zealand scenic film and a comedy will be shown. Miss Beryl_Nettleton's Juvenile Ballet will appear in "A Toy Shop Phantasy." The musical programme will include au orchestral interlude, a violin solo and a xylophone solo, EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. In "Speed Wild," which commences at Everybody's Theatre to-day, Lefty Flynn,; the popular athlete, .who has previously appeared in Western pictures, plays the part of Jack Ame, who is known among his intimates as "Speed." One of his pet delights is outdistancing and eluding j the motor-cycle policeman. He is a friend of Herbert Barron, police commissioner, who is attacked by the metropolitan press because of his inability, through lack of men and shortage of appropriation, to cope > with the i smuggling in of Chinese girls which has assumed great proportions along the coast. Barron, who knows Jack's nature, tells him one day that the greatest thrill is in the accomplishment of duty, and after thinking this over, the boy offers to enlist in Barron's special force, .provided he is assigned to motor-cycle duty. His f;ask in apprehending the gang of smugglers supplies plenty of action to the picture. A striking story, a tensely dramatic offering and beautiful scenery are points that nurk the excellence of . the British picture "The Unwanted," 'which will be the second attraction. It is the story of a man and woman whoso folly nearly wrecks not only their lives but the happiness of their children. Lilian Hall Davis and Aubrey Smith, well known English players, have the principal parts. STRAND THEATRE. "Souls for Sables," a Tiffany production suggested from "Garlan and C 0.," by David ijriaham Phillips, is the leading feature on the programme commencing at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The story tells of a young and beautiful girl, used to the luxuries of life, who marries a poor but ambitious young business man. While building up his business, he neglects his wife, who turns to'others for her enteri tainment. Clothes are her obsession until I she covets a sable coat. The husband is unable to supply his pretty wife with sables. She wins a tidy sum at card? and it is invested in the stock mafket by an admirer. The stocks rise and enough money is made to buy the coat The husband, unaware of how his wile came into possession of the sables, believes the worst and the couple part. The events leading up to the final reconcilia tion are dramatically portrayed. As the young wife, Claire Windsor has the oppor tunity of wearing a gorgeous array of clothes. Eugene O'Brien has the leading male role. Others in the cast include Claire Adams, Anders Randolf and Eileen Percy. The supporting pictures include the Strand Magazine, a Pictorial Review and a comedy. An orchestral novelty, "The Village Orchestra," will be given by the Strand Symphony Orchestra. A song and dance entertainment will be provided by Miss Beryl Nettleton's Juvenile Ballet, NATIONAL AND LYRIC. "Pals First," to commence showing at the National and Lyric Theatres to-day, is the film version of the successful novel by Francis Perry Elliott. An Edwin Carewe production for First National, it features Lloyd Hughes . and Dolores del Rio in the principal roles. The story has to do with three tramps, who pose as the owner of a Southern mansion and his guests. Their disguise is seen through, however, and they are recognised for desperate criminals. .At this moment the plot takes a sudden turn. The surprise ending which follows brings a good story to a fitting conclusion. Miss del Rio has the first star role of her career. Her rise to prominence is one of the most rapid in the annals of Hollywood. Witb little thought of entering the motion pic ture world up till recently, Miss del Rio has already achieved popularity. She is a Mexican heiress and a member of one of the oldest families in Mexico. Lloyd Hughes, Alec Francis and George Cooper, as the three law-breakers, carry the male honours of the production, supported by a strong cast of favourites. The second" picture is "The Wise Virgin," with Patsy Ruth Miller in the leading role. DIXIELAND. Dancing will be held at Dixieland this evening until 11.30 p.m. Novelties, favours and prizes will provide variety. The cabaret has been recently redecorated and patrons can be assured of an attractive evening's entertainment.

THE REGENT THEATRE. The Regent Theatre in Queen Street will be opened on Thursday next. Full descriptions have already been given of the beautiful plaster work, novel lighting effects, comfortable furnishings and the many novelties which the theatre embraces. A special programme of pictures and vaudeville has been selected for the opening. The principal film will be the Paramount masterpiece, "Beau Geste." There will be vaudeville items by artists from the J. C- Williamson circuit. A specially selected musical programme will be played by the operatic orchestra of 20 solo players under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttredge, who was brought from England 'by J. and N. Tait for musical comedy companies. The Regent will also have a £IO.OOO Wurlitzer organ, with Edward Horton. a well-known American organist and composer, as organist. "THE UNFAIR SEX." "The Unfair Sex," that clever and amusing comedy production in three acts, was presented to another delighted audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening by Joseph Cunningham's English Comedv Company, under the direction of Dick White and Eric Edgley. The plot is highly diverting and entirely ingenious, dealing with matrimony, the divorce court, and, golf in such a way as to provide the heartiest laughter throughout the piece. The "Unfair Sex" will be presented again this evening and on Friday. On Saturday another London success, entitled "Eliza Comes To Stay," will be staged.