ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10847, 12 March 1921, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S. A POPULAR BILL. Another large audience was recorded at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the current programme was again presented by Pullers’ Vaudeville Company. There are several exceptionally enjoyable acts, notable among which are those by Emerald and Dupre. Veers and Carbassi, Evans' and Dean, Sumas, Mr Leonard Nelson, and Aloerto. There will bo a matinee to-day and a repetition this evening. KIN G’S~T H EAT R E. CONCERT AND PICTURES. There was a crowded house at the King’s Theatre last evening, when m addition to a particularly attractive picture programme appeared Miss Carrie Lanceley, the giited English prima donna, and her Melody Maids—Miss Irine Mies Cecile Stevens and Miss Doris Middleton —a trio of talented young musicians- Miss Lanceley has already won golden opinions, during her previous visits to Wellington, for ceptional vocal attainments, but sever before has her voice been so rich in tone and used with 6uch. exquisite taste as ou her reappearance last evening. The initial item of a well-selected programme was the vocal trio “The Rosary,” with pianoforte and ’cello accompaniment bv the Melody ! Maids, which proved a delightful offering. Most artistic also were Miss Lanceley’s rendition of ‘‘Are Maria” (Gounod), Tn Boheme,” "Mignonette,” "St. Nicholas Day," “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye,” and "Home, Sweet Home.” There was prolonged applause after each of Miss Lanceley's items. Miss Watts, who played the pianoforte accompaniments with good 1 judgment, also gave a charmingly piquant monologue, "Old Chap.” A violiniste of captivating ! ability. Miss IVatljS, was thoroughly sucI cessful in "Pagliacci," and scored a well-merited encore. With fine breadth and sweetness of tone Miss Middleton excelled particularly in the ’cello solo. "Berceuse.” In the cinema section ol the entertainment the main attraction was the International "feature” farcecomedv “Don’t Ever Marry.” This is a picture that is thoroughly representative of the lugh degree of excellence achieved bv American producers of to-day. The subject is superbly mounted with the usual lavishness of the International creations, and the enactment is the finished work of thoroughly qualified performers. The chief character is Joe Benson, an enterprising young man who dares an irascible did millionaire Of secretly marrying. his only daughter despite the father’s homicidal threats. Benson’s tribulations commence by i*ls getting immediately entangled, in complications arising from his good-natured desire to help a comrade to min the girl of his heart. There are some frenzied frolics in a palatial hotel, and not the least, amusing are the antics of the hotel detective and a diminutive but uncommonly precocious bell-boy. There is no end of uproarious fun. and the picture created frequent and unrestrained laughter. 'The auxiliary films comprise “Why Divorce?” tcomedy) and ’’The Gaumont Graphic.” The incidental selections and the entr’acte "King Stephen” (Beethoven), by the King’s grand_ orchestra, contributed greatly to tbe enjoyment of the entertainment. There will bo matinees to-day and next Wednesday, and performances this evening and nightly till next Friday. THE EIfIPRESS “THE BRANDED WOMAN.” As a jewel in a rare setting shines the | personality of Norma Talmaage in her' latest picture, “The Branded Woman.” the delightful photo-play which attract-' ed verv large au-diences to the Eimpress Theatre yesterday. Her acting in this | feature has never been surpassed in her screen career, and her impersonation of the guileless young girl fresh from school 1 is sweet and refreshing. In the difficult j role of the pure-minded young wife carrying a secret sorrow which she dares not impart to her husband for fear cf losing his affection, she is -a revelation, demonstrating her exceptional ability as an actress. Percy Marruont, the young Australian actor who has achieved much success on the screen, is a wonderfully effective leading man in this feature. Tlie story is of Ruth Sawyer, a girl brought up in ignorance that her mother runs a gambling house. Ruth’s grandfather, Judge Whitlock, keeps the innocent young girl’s mind free from contamination of any kind until she has graduated from a refined school. The unnatural mother carries Ruth off .to ihe demoralising atmosphere of her gambling den, and makes ber downfall as good as assured, but she is rescued bv Judge

Whitlock. The judge turns matchmaker by carrying Ruth away on a ship bearing a dear friend of his, Douglas Courtney, who has a diplomatic mission in Paris. He keeps the young people together, and moonlight does the rest. Courtney and his wife live happily together until a partner pf Ruth’s mother blackmails Ruth. A substitution discovered in her jewels leads her husband to employ a detective. The latter discovers that Ruth is visiting Graft at his rooms. Graft reveals the character of, Ruth’s mother to Courtney. He brands her as unfit to be the wife of an honourable man. She leaves him asserting her innocence of other wrong than deception, and goes to Judge Whitlock. Courtney follows her in time, and shows such a repentant spirit that the judge essays a reconciliation. Ruth yields in the end for the sake of her child, and she is no longer a "Branded Woman.” Of the supporting subjects, episode five of "The Invisible Band" is a very good number. EVERYBODY’S. “HUMORESQUE.” It is exceedingly doubtful if any moving picture has had a greater vogue of success in Wellington than the magnificent production, "Humoresque," which was such a great attraction at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday. The popular house of entertainment was all too small to accommodate those who desired to witness the film. Using the theme of the delightful mplody of Anton Dvorak’s, by the same name, the beautiful storywritten bv Fanny Hurst and picturised in a wonderful manner bv the Para-mount-Artcraft companies, has the magnificent touch of inspiring, human nature that goes to the heaßt of the people. The picture centres round a lad of the streets, in poor circumstances, but with the love of a mother with whom he lives in destitution, and a close-fisted father. Clutching at his beloved violin, he little dreams that he possesses genius—merely latent. But his unmusical father, of Jewish persuasion, would sooner have his son in a business career or following his own occupation of antique dealer. Time passes, however, and the violin that has been placed m his baby hands through the efforts of his devoted mother, comes to be a part of the boy. There is ho doubt that "Humoresque” will be heavily patronised throughout the week. "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.” PRODUCTION - IN CONCERT CHAMBER. Mr A. Stanley Warwick has outlined a plan to perform a number of highclass plays,- the first production being "V Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which will be given an th© Town Hail concert chamber on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next. Great interest in tbe production i« being evinced, and as no repetitions can be made this season, it will be well for all who are anxious to witness this production to secure their seats at once. A good, all round cast hap been chosen, and rehearsals have been enthusiastically attended, thus ensuring a level production. The beautiful music by Mendelssohn rendered by a full professional orchestra, will be an added attraction, and Mr A. Stanley Warwick confidently appeals for the support of a production which has for its objective the highest educational advantages. All seats, including students' concessions, can be obtained at t!?> Bristol Piano Company. "SWEET AND TWENTY.” AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE. An exceptionally bright and interesting film was presented resterday at the Queen’s ’Theatre with the customary weekly change of programme. It is a screen adaptation of Mr Basil Hood’s well-known play, "Sweet and Twenty,’’ a delightful story of a brother’s saerji fico in love. The two sons of a wealthy clergy-man 'have grown up together from childhood, sharing one another’s i misfortunes and allowing no secrets to stand between them. Arriving at the stage of manhood, they both become enamoured of the same girl. The elder, who is about to return to his vessel in the Navy, sacrifices his love and leaves the field open to the other, but is so overcome with despair at so doing that he indulges in drink, and through insulting a ■superior officer is dismissed from the service. He returns home in disgrace to find that the girl still loves him, but goes abroad in order to retrieve his reputation. He makes good in lumber after a year's absence, ana again goes home in order to attend the wedding of hie brother. On arrival he learns that his lover is still free to him. having been deceived by hi s brother. and the storv ends with the inevitable result. Every care has been used in the production of the film, and the cast includes several stars. Miss Marguerite Blanche appears as the leading character-to whom the title applvs. Longhorn,- Bui ton conducts the port of the leading nvin with his usual sucres-. and there are several other well-i-ecivn and c.inable siinooi ting film a-.

tors. Other items on the bill include a Charles Chaplin comedy, entitled “The Square Head, a Ford travelogue, a delightful scenic study, and the usual topical budget. . Special music am provided by the Queen’s orchestraTHE DAVIS CUP. TREAT AT PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. Those tennis enthusiasts and sport? men who missed the opportunity ot witnessing "The Davis Cup’’ contest at Auckland recently have still another chance to become spectators of the interesting contest on the films (a "Big Chief” production). The Paramount and Artcraft Theatres were generously patronised yesterday when the interesting picture was screened for the first time, 'i he picture is a very striking and comprehensive record of the detail and general trend of play. This film opens with views of Auckland harbour and the landing of the teams on the wharf; then follow views of the city, and each of the eight players comprising the team are seen at practice serving and receiving. One can here follow accurately the wonderful service of Gerald Patterson, who is considered to have the most correct service in the world; and also the smashing serve of Wm. T. Tilden, the world's champion. Brookes is also specially featured, followed by Johnston, Hardy. Heath, Washburn, and O’Hara Wood. The picture shows the effect of the rain, when play was delayed, the covered courts, officials around the stands, and then the great Davis Cap is depicted iD reality. The enthusiastic spectators an seen seated in the full glare of sunshine, apparently too interested to notice <h« excessive heat. Then we note the arrival of the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, with Lady Jellicoe. The whole series ot matches, singles and doubles, is presented, and a splendid idea is gained of the struggles for supremacy that prevailed. Despite the fast play, the spectator ia able to follow it with ease, especially in the doubles. A view is viven of the presentation of the cap and honours, and finally the visiting players are seen being given a hearty send-off by officials and others as they wave “farewell” from the deck of the Makura. There ia a wonderful series of Rotorua, with-a particularly fine view of Pohutu. The picture, which includes superior supporting pictures, will be screened at both theatres again to-night and all next week. PICTURES AT ISLAND BAY. GRAND OrENING TO-DAY. The new Universal Picture Theatre in R]umber street. Island Bay, is to be opened at 7.30 o’clock this evening, and the opening address will be mads by Councillor J. O. Shorland The first programme will include Priscilla Dean in fhe great dramatic spectacular piny, “The Virgin of Siamboul.*’ The plot is described as an entrancing one. dealing with Eastern intrigue and romance. In addition there will be a Universal Century comedy, “Bear Skinned Beauties.” and the Universal sensational serial. "The Vanishing Dagger.” There will be three changes weekly.

The official signature of -the Archbishop of York is his Christian name and "Dbor.” i.e., “Cosmo ESjot”; the latter is an abbreviation of Eboracnm, tbe Latin name for York.