ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10100, 14 October 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

VAUDEVILLE AT HIS MAJESTY’S. The counterfeit! local admirers of that popular revue combination Tom Hayerly's "Musical Farce Company will’no doubt regret to "learn that this week will be the last of the combination at His ’Majesty’s " Theatre. Records have been previously achieved at the local vaudeville house, but seldom has a record equalling, far less excelling, that of Mr Haverly's been seen hero. For their last production the merry band will be seen in the biggest success of their long season, “The Man- in Black." Mr Tom Haverly- will sustain the title role as usual, and Mr J. P. O’Neill. Mr Billy Moloney, Mr Reg Moore will interpret the male characters in the piece. The ladies will include Misses Coral Warner, Claire Lloyd, Merle Stewart, and the well-known , “Kewpie Kids.” In the variety half of the bill. Dozey, a member of the' 'famous Five Manchurian troupe of "acrobats will make his appearance together with a female partner, Doura. His exposition of head-balanc-ing, juggling, and whirwind somersaulting will be-on the same lines as those introduced.. by- .the .. .wonderful quintette a year or two ago. .Brull and Homsley, that decidedly versatile English "burlesque couple, will he seen in another series of their delightful and screamingly funny character studies,. English..life. Ml - PhiF Fercivdl, I ,,,ihe t , consistently ..popular,,, “Druhh’lat 'the 'Piano,’’ will be seen in his now familiar but nevertheless really comical act; and Leywood and Norell, English society entertainers, will be seen in a complete change of act of which an important feature will be the costuming of Miss . Mae Norell. The same programme will be repeated nightly throughout the week, and at the customary Saturday matinee. “THE BEAST OF BERLIN.” The photo drama “The Beast of Serf lin,” shown for the first time at the King’s -Theatre on Saturday night, can he described as a remarkable melodrama. ! The picture is introduced as being true to history, but produced “with the necessary dramatic license.” If the film is true" to fact the Kaiser can be described truly as a beast. The Kaiser is seen in ail hia revolting splendour, in fact ,he;.is shown .ns a - madman. The author;-of. the .story., has seized on the peculiarities of the Emperor of Germany and has made the most of them. The audiences at the King’s on Saturday were tuned up to a high pitch by all the barbarities of Germany,-and applauded each phase of,.tlio picture to the echo. In the opening the world is shown at peace. The shepherd is seen gathering his sheep to the fold, the children arc seen at their joyous games. “’Then the black" shadow of Germany throws - its darkness over the world. The blacksmith of Louvain is one of the chief characters of the story. Before the advent of the war born of the ambition of the Kaiser he is seen as a peaceful, lovable citizen. "When war comes, and he and his. family are beset with the diabolical tyranny of. Germany he is changed. All that he seeks is revenge "'on 'the military officers of Germany ’for the misery they have cast on himself and his family. The violation of Belgium’s neutrality is shown in all it s awfulness. The results of Germany’s ruthless" effort'' at world "domination are seen in the sacking of Louvain\ Finally is seen the triumphant entry of America into the war and the downfall of Kaiserdotu. It is an appropriate glimpse into the future. The Kaiser is imprisoned as an enemy to the peace of mankind; and ho is ignominiouely jailed in the very country he has ■so ruthlessly devastate d —l3 elgi um. In many respects it is a very fine picture. The peculiarities of the arch demon, the Kaiser, are made the most of. . His susceptibility towards a pretty female hand, his love of dress and of power; his -unscrupulous-efforts towards autocracy, all arc shown. Even for the morbidly inclined " the most is given with a gorgeousness in mounting and his sensitiveness in this direction is graphically portrayed. The picture F given with a gorgeousness in mounting which it would be hard to equal. The acting is well nigh perfect. There is an excellent supporting programme. •'JOURNEY’S END.” , That beautiful and charming photoplay actress,. Miss iitnel Clayton, is-seen to great advantage in the stirring problem. drama, ’’Journey’s End.” a double love story, now • screening at the everpopular Empress - Theatre. As the heroine, , Aline.. Marsden.., Miss -Ethel Clayton "‘ finds.,..that, her, husband's love is being, stolen from,,her, by a “yaaipire” of the variety ’stage. She resorts to a strategem, perfectly innocent yet very effective. The “vampire” seeks to entrap the wife, but is herself" trapped fast,and after many-dramatic happenings all ends happily...- Much of.-the- action of the play takes place, at a noted and very beautiful American seaside resort, where a number of very fetching bathing costumes arc exhibited. Motorlaunches and motor-cars also figure prominently' in - the" piay, which is admitably staged. r and ■ mounted,-and the star is supported by., a. strong, east. Topical film-paragraphs on current events, and a very interesting film, featuring wiiaiefishing in Britisn Columbia, complete a first-class bill-of-fare, wnich, will be screened continuously each day till Saturday next. The" modern" method of hunting the monster mammals of the ocean by moans of small steamers armed with a most effective Jiarpoou-gun placed in the bow, is, as will bo seen, very-different from that employed in the old whaling-ship days, when sails and oars were’ the only means of propulsion, and.-: the- whalers had at great peril to themselves to follow up their prey and fight it to the death m whal-ing-boats which _ were often converted into matchwood .by one blow’ from a whale’s,, powerful flukes. AETOKAFT THEATRE.

Douglas Fairbanks, popular at any time, shows very unusual skill and daring in his capacity as a “gentleman ■of tuo Law.” in the super-feature, •■Headin’ South.” which was screened to crowded houses tor the first time at the Artcraft”Theatre'on Saturday. “Atheltic Doug.” performs" some remarkably clever feats .when .disguised as the outlaw. He goes from the snowy north to Southern Arizona in answer to a girl’s pitiful call for help, and, after a great number of thrills, succeeds in rescuing the girl and at" the same time in capturing a dangerous gang of Mexican bandits. "Headin’ South” moves with great dash, and there is . excitme'nt in plenty. Some very well known characters are seen to advantage as the'"bandits. The second feature I ’Of tie'bill is a pleasing Paramount production entitled, “The Sales Lady’ f -i>(in' which 1 -that talented' actress, Miss Hazel Dawn, is given the star part. This photo-play • tells of tbo difficulties bravely faced, and in the end overcome, by the poor orphan 1 daughter of spendthrift paients. ■ ‘>Her circumstances forcther to go from a luxurious homo to work behind a shop counter, and from then to tho stage. Then sue has the alternative of a marriage, for money or the stagnation, of the chorus. When the outlook is blackest. Fate steps, in anil tho girl’s efrugglo ends happily. An excellent Mack Seunett. comedy. “Two Tough Tendetfeet.” with Pollv Moran in the lend, and the latest Paramount "Gazette,” complete a highly entertaining bill which will lie continued throughout the week. THE QUEEN’S THEATRE.

"Tho ■ Conqueror,” the special supc feature picture now being screened al the Queen's Theatre. Cuba street, sets a new mark in motion-picture production—a mark which, going further than the thrill- J and the spectacular in Which "The Conqueror’’ abounds, affords a new and higher plane for dramatic exposition through the medium of the screen.- “The Conqueror" picturisos the- heroic life of Genera) Sam-Houston,.'.impersonated by the well known and popular William Farnum.