ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11305, 2 September 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

* “THE BOY” END OF THE SEASON. MATINEE TO-DAY, FAREWELL TONIGHT. Of all the musical comedies brought to Wellington, all amusing in their various degrees, it is safe to say that “The Boy" alone is a sheer delight. Fresh from record runs in England and Australia, cramming the Theatre Royal at Melbourne, despite the opposition of the coal strike and “Chu Chin Chow," this feast of humour could hardly be bettered; "The Boy" is a direct adaptation of a comedy by that prince of farcemongers, Sir Arthur W. Pinero. It is full of fine music, neat dancing and clever characterisation. Everyone on the stage is alive and the audiences realise it between laughs. Mr Arthur Stigant m his role of Horatio Aleebles, has scored a success which will make his name a household word in New Zealand. He is at once one of the most able and versatile character comedians that we have ever had; the good fortune to witness. Miss Rosie Le VaTde, as Mrs Meebles, Is clever and amusing and a worthy “wife” to such a “dog" as Mr Meebles later, becomes. As for Mr Lance Lister, it is not too much, to say that he is the beau ideal of the hero of such a play. Youthful and breezy he gives one the impression that he revels in his work and the audience laughs with him more than at him. Miss Mione Stewart is another clever supporter, and Miss Shiela Gale is pleasant and fresh to gaze upon, her singing being musical and good, Dainty Jessie Sherwood shines out of the supporting caste by virtue of the fine exhibition of dancing which she gives in the oabaret scene and'ballets, ensembles and chorus work generally are of a high standard.

To-day and to-night are the last opportunities which will he given the local public to savour this hilarious production’. The fame of “The Boy" bus gone far afield as the size of the audiences testifies. Never has there been 6uch a successful comedy in Wellington. On Monday next the company will leave for Palmerston North.

HIS MAJESTY’S ENJOYABLE VAUDEVILLE. The current programme by Fullers’ Vaudeville Company was repeated before a large audience at His. Majesty’s Theatre last evening.. Prominently popular among many enjoyable turns, are those by the Molinarls (litalian operatic vocalists), the Three Jacksons (handbalancers and acrobats), Linden and Berridge (musical entertainers), and Carlton and Roslyn ,(Engli6h comedy duo). The customary matinee is announced for today, and the programme will be pre-. sented for the last time this evening. A complete change will he introduced on Monday.

PRINCESS THEATRE “THE FOUR HORSEMEN’OF THE APOCALYPSE." The famous spectacular super-feature film, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," will he screened at the Princess Theatre for tho last time ‘ to-day., The.sessions will commence at I.Bo' p.m., 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. DOUBLE FEATURE BILL ON MONDAY. On Monday a complete, change will he introduced at the. Princess , Theatre with two special' “features,”' “Stop i Thief” (a comedy wit h a startling : dim-ax) and "The Marriage of William Ashe" • (a, stirring dramatic photoplay.In the former picture Moore, in the role of Jack Don van, and Hazel Daly as Snatcher Ndl, ~fiis sweetheart, decided upon one lest haul .to replenish the exchequer before committing matximony and settling down to be law-abiding citizens. They pick upon the house where a wedding is to he solemnised. Nell is engaged, as a maid. With the bride’s father and' the bridegroom, both kleptomaniacs, the -constant disappearance of jewels, for the bride, becomes an ever-increasing stream of mirth that at length bursts into a sea of laughter. Of course the crooks are caught, but they plead so effectively for the chance to _get married in the triple ceremony that includes both daughters of the house robbed- that their appeal is granted -by their captors. “The Marriage of William Ashe," Starring May Allison, is announced by competent authorities to he, one of the outstanding dramatic features of the year, and one of the best in which the star, Miss Allison, has been Seen. The scenery of the picture is on the scale sufficiently lavish to classify it with the super-spe-cial pictures of the season-, and is fitting complement to the strong dramatic' story, in which is -portrayed the struggles of a brilliantly dower youne woman against tho machinations of unscrupulous political enemies. THE STRAND THEATRE ANOTHER DOUBLE FEATURE BILL. ' 3 bumper programme Is that now showing at the; Strand Theatre, and which may be en j oyod by ipatrons for tho ensuing-vsek. James Oliver Curwood’s fine drama, ‘Howe* of th» North,-* Reads the bill and in it is seen popular Henry B. Walthall, the possessor of the most famous- smile, in picturedom and perhaps the' film artist who has retained this hold on the• public longest. The scene of the thrilling story' is laid in an old French chateau in a new land—near Fort o’ God—-whe-re the d&ring French adventures made their cost in troublesome times before Wdfe saw Quebec. And the old French family, which, in‘habits this pine shadowed chateau, passes through many moments which go to make this film of the northlands one of the finest seen here. Ellis P. Butler's charming • story, “The Jack-Knife Man, is a second feature of this fine bill. It tells how a “Buddie” and the love of, children in an old man at Hast brought him fame and fortune far his whittled toys. - There is much humour and character-drawing in this film of a man who broke into a county gaol. A third feature is the ever-delightful Charlie Chaplin, King of Comedians, in a two-part burlesque on what (happened through an accidental exchange of coats, fbtiU ed_ “The Henpecked Spouse." Mabel Nofmamd supports him in some screamingly funny force THE STRASBURG CLOCK MARVELLOUS MECHANISM. “Time .and tide wait for no man," and' this particularly applies to the celebrated model of the famous clock of Strasburg, which is now on exhibition in Gordon and Gotch’s old premises, Lower Cuba street, opposite the Town Hall The model.can only be shown for a brief; season in Wellington, as very shortly it will resume its peregrinations en, route for its home in France. Many who saw the model on its last visit to New. Zealand more than a quarter of a century ago have renewed old acquaintance made as children, bringing with them on this occasion their own young folk, who re-echo the sentiments ot pleasure which animated their parents over 25 years ago. Hours of exhibition -are: Afternoon, 2 till 5 and 7 till 10. Adults Is, children fid.

‘THE THREE MUSKETEERS ),

DOUG. FAIRBANKS AT BODY'SSixteen duels, a man bolding, uip a broken bridge while, three riders cross it, the stealing of a queen's jewels, a desperate fight wtih a conscienceless woman for their recovery, the smashing ( of one of the greatest intrigue© of hie-' :tory—these are but a few of the dramatic incidents in Dougl&s Fairbanks's sixth United Artiste picture, "The Three Musketeers," screened at Everybody's .popular theatre for the first time last evening, and scheduled for the coming week. Based on the marvellous adventures and escapades of the dashing D'Artagnan and three of King Louis Kill- Q musketeers, this impressive photoplay unfolds the history of France in the early seventeenth century, when that monarchy Yvae dominated by the designing and crafty Cardinal Richelieu, a soldier by training but a statesman and churchman only by virtue of intrigues he devised, The picture is one of the most vivid and picturesque tales that lias ever been prepared for the screen. From the photographic standpoint it is a work of art, while the costume® and) settings are marvellous. It must impress on the mind of the witness the stirring events of Alexander Dumas famous and universally vivid classic as vividly and indelibly a® the remarkable style of the author compels the admiration of the reader. Fairbanks's interpretation erf the dashing and impulsive cavalier presents . him to his many admirers in a new light, and the work ot the all-star cast that supports him will ensure satisfaction to all lovers of the photoplay. . The adaptation for the screen is the work of Edward Kurblock, one of the most successful of presentday playwright®. D'Artagnan is cast dynamically into an. atmosphere ot seventeenth century high intrigue. From his humble home in ■Gascony he journeys to Paris to make his fortune, xlo is donned only with his father's honoured ©word and the heart of a lion, but with these he steps precipitately . into adventure that connects him ut once with tho problems of royalty. So almost christens kis sword-with the blood ot the plotter, de Rochefort, and meets Milady without suspecting the villainy underlying her charm. In Pari® his introduction to his future comrades is a Challenge to fight all three; then comes a sudden turn by which they are banded together for life. His love tor Constance, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, leads him to the supreme adventure of the story—a mission to recover from her admirer in Englano., Buckingham, the evidence needed to convince Louie XIII. that Annie of Austria is not involved, and to oonfouna tne insinuations of her foe the Cardinal. Some most remarkable reproductions are constructed of notable buildings in France and elsewhere, including the Louvre, and every other feature Pf the picture is striking in realism and perfection. There is an excellent supporting programme. QUEEN’S THEATRE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. The current double-feature programme at the Queen’s Theatre should more than satisfy picture patrons;. The first is' en. titled, “The Blazing Trail,” and Frank Mayo, the outdoor man heads the male cast. The story centres about Dr Bradlev Yates, who, broken in health and mind through over-work on his marvellous cure for blood poisoning, seeks the 6olitnde of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and lives under, the namp of ■ Pickins He makes friends with only two persons. Chipmunk, a youngster, and Tailthy, a girl who is. just budding into womanpood. Talithy fall* in. love with him, and takes every opportunity of visiting him and hearing him .read, Tlie_{jt#.te qf Kentucky- decrees that the mountaineer's children shall get “book lamin’,” and sends up Carroll Brown, a young school teacher from the Blue. Grass Region, to Instruct them. Pickths begins to love her and rescues (her from the insult# of Van Dusen, a camper from the city, and thrashes the camper. As a result ol her struggle Garroll develops blood poisoning, and how she is saved through both the knowledge and- bravery of Pickins is remarkably well ehown In the picture. 'l%e second feature is entitled, "The Dangerous Little Demon," In which that attractive little star, Marie Provost, is seen in action. It is the story of a millionare’s daughter, Lying t<> get along in her world of lovestruck swains. The supports are exceptionally good, and inolude the final chapters of “Winners of the West," the opening chapter of “With Stanley in Africa, and the latest budget of topicali- . ties. A specially selected musical programme will be rendered nightly by the : Queen's orchestra, under the dirsption of Mr A. H. Jerome. t THE KING’S THEATRE “MY BOY"—A FINE PRODUCTION. The programme supplied by the King's Theatre for the new week commencing yesterday is in every respect one of the beet which has ever .been prepared _by this house that prides itself on setting a high standard for film production in this city. Accompanied, in addition, with music of the best, supplied by the first-rate King’s Grand Orchestra, under the very able conductorahip of Mr L. D. Austin, the entertainment offered at this theatre is, undoubtedly, as good value for the money as can be Obtained anywhere. Commencing with the pictorial budget of current events of interest, the • well-known '‘Topical Budget,” “Gnumont Gzaphic,” and “Pathe Review." In “Years To Come" there is presented a comedy picture forecasting the future, when man will he the-domestic slave and woman ’ the stern provider of the daily bread and butter “The Silver Harvest" is an educational film of a very interesting industry, dealing wtih the catching and treatment of eprdines arid' their tinning up and dispatch in them unnumbered millions to the foreign' markets. "Snooky’s Freeh Heir” is one of the most interesting and entertaining animal pictures we have ever been lucky enough to see. It depicts a family of three . ; monkeys—father, mother, and child—-and the manner in which those highly-trained anlrnals, go through all the details 'of civilised life is nothing short of marvellous. The picture of the evening, undoubtedly, ie the fine Fiiet. National Studios' porduction' called “My Boy,” very aptly described .by the management as “five reels of smiles." The films portray the famous Jackie Coogan (‘'Tho Kid" himself) in all the stages of si mischievous, lovable, rampant boyhood. The ohild of a soldi#* killed in /.the war, hie mother dies in the steerage of the immigrant ship in which she and the fatherless youngster are travelling to America to join the child a grandmother. The little boy is to be deported as an undesirable alien, too young to he anything hut a source of expense to the TJnitea States; hut he manage* to slip through the gates of the immigrants’ receiving station in a crowd of other children, and follows all ancient old salt (“The Captain") to his one-room home. Here he goes through a number of escapades and acts the part of a real pal to his old, 1 rheumatic friend, who shields him and gives him a home for a few days until he is traced by the Government officials. By a strange coincidence, of course, his grandmother succeeds in discovering his identity just when he ie about to be taken back to tho immigration station, there to be deported, and a very pathetic Beene ie developed when he refuses to be parted from his pal, the captain. The picture ie a wonderful blend, of fine, clean humour, with natural child and healthy pathos. The sympathies of the audience; all the way through the picture, are with -the dear little orphan. The fine selections played by the theatre orchestra include such splendid numbers ns Suppe’s "Morning, Noon, and Night," as well as numbers from several popular operas. ,