EITERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11702, 14 December 1923, Page 8

EITERTAINMENTS

MIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE • PROGRAMME EXTRAORDINARY. Thei fine range of breezy items provided both by- George Wallace’s revue, and the' ever-wonderful Jazz Band under the popular I,inn Smith, is drawing continued packed houses 'at His Majesty’s. The Royal Jazz. Band akain renders a very fine selection of jazz music, including ever-popular items as '‘Carolina in the Morning,” "Hot . Lips,’’ “Red-headed Girl,” “I Love Me,” ‘‘Just a Little Love, a Little Kiss,” and “Yes, We Have No Bananas.” A pair of "drawingroom” athletes, the Sinclair Brothers, provide an act which scores a great success nightly. The hand-balancing and other feats are very well done, and require no little amount of skill, strength and daring. A much appreciated turn was provided ttr Ray Kemble, a clever female impersonator. Aeton and Marshall’s popular songs and excerpts from grand opera were greatly enjoyed. The latest mirthquake of their season was produced by the George Wallace Revue Company, entitled “Lads of the Village," and it proved to be a veritable downpour of laughter, a merry hour of nonsense, and a -revue of witty 6ayings and laughable jokes. There are a number of good songs, dainty ballets, and also a plot serving as a thread on which to string both actors and playlet. As Brutus, the "had egg,” George Wallace makes a decided "hit.” There are also Marshall Crosby, as Mike Shannon, the village storekeeper; Reg. Collins, as Josh McGosh (a fanner); Jack Whyte, as a wanderer; and Tom Lincoln, es Murphy Lee (from the city). Mary Nyman makes a pretty, farmer’s daughter, apd Sadie Tilburn, appears as a typical city girl on holidty. Kitty Soloman, Ivy Williams, and Lily Al'voy are Mike’s charming daughters; while Josh's equally charming girls are YMie Veaux, Alma Stewart, and Bebe Boott. The orchestral items—the Fox trot, "Night in the Woods” (De Bozi), .and entr acte, "Air do Ballet.” (Chaminade) —and the incidental music were admirably rendered by His Majesty’s fine orchestra, under the able conductorship of Mr Frank Crowther. This excellent programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow afternoon and evening. r

“FOGBOUND” AT KING’S TO-NIGHT. To-night a drama whose merits are a hundredfold is to be released at the King’e Theatre. The sensational film, i "Fog Bound,” with Dorothy Dalton in the leading role, is no doubt the greatest film of the year. Miss Dalton plays tho role of an up-to-date, independent girl, to whom Roger Wainwright, wealthy idler, a role played by David Powell, is attracted. In a raid on a fashionable gambling den. Gale’s father, a revenue officer, is shot dead. Suspicion points to Roger Wainwright. who makes his escape and seeks shelter at Gales’s home. The girl befriends him and helps him to escape .to a swamp.. Learning later that her father is the man who was shot, sho turns against the refugee, and leads a posse to capture. him. Roger decides to give himself up, but a confession on the part of one of the people who witnessed the crime brings the story to a most fascinating; climax. "Fog Bound” is interpreted by an all-star cast, and it brings back an old screen friend in the shape of Maurice Costello. Dorothy Dalton does some of the finest work of her career, and she may be said to be more charming than ever. The other attraction on the King's bill is entitled "Crinoline and Romance.” * Viola Dana is the leading player, and she is seen as a young, girl, who has been brought up in rigid surroundings by her stem old fatheT. Youth rebels, and ahe desire® to get out to the pleasure world and “be like other girls.” The story hoe something of a moral in it, as well as being one of the most delightful entertainments of its kind that has been offered.

In addition excellent supports will be screened, combined with delightful musi” by thf • King's Select Orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol, After 6.30 p.m. at the theatfie, 'phone 12-212,

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE

"WHEN THE KELLYS WERE OUT.” There is no need :to gCucbeyond the mere name of tho ahoy© release to sec what the film ia going to ho like. Everythis week has a .film whose action will thrill from 6tart to finish. It is a film-play based on the doings of tha notorious bushrangers, known as the Kelly gang, who terrorised Australia in the Lie ’seventies. in that country, the picture has the advantage of being filmed in the actual localities where Ned Kelly and Kis companions carried on their lawless operations. The cast comprises Godfrey Cass as Ned, Charles ViUiere, W. Ellison, Allen Douglas. Kate . Rooney, Harry Southwell, bid Everitt, and Mervyn Barrington. The story is ono of intense excitement, leading to a tragic climax on the last stand of the gang at Glenrowan. The Kellys had taken up their position in the hotel at that place, after having hunted un oil the people in the town and looked them up in the building. A train-load of special pollee and soldiers was coming to capture them. Pretending that his wife was dying a man named Curnow was allowed to leave the hotel and it was he who signalled to the driver of the train that something was amiss. Before the outlaws were aware of the frustration of their plans, the police were upon them, and » siege of the hotel commenced. Ned Kelly was the first to be captured. He was diecovered by Sergeant Steele, in his suit of ar.nour. attempting to escape at the tear of the building. The sergeant fired and wounded the outlaw several times. Three others of tile gang were found dead In the hotel. There is a big supporting programme

EMPREBB THEATRE "THE BRIGHT SHAWL.” Greater oven than Richard Barthelmess’s former masterpioco, “Tol’able David,” is said to bo his new contribution, “Tho Bright Shawl,” to be sc roc nod at the Empress Theatre to-day. Adapted by Edmund Goulding from Joseph Hergesheimer’s colourful story of .the days when Cuba was still under the yoke of Spanish tyranny, it is described as one of tho most charming, vivid, and moving romances yet presented on the screen. Rarthelmess has tho rolo of a young American. Charles Abbott, who, on a visit to Havana, becomes so interested in the cause of the downtrodden Cubans that he decides to espouse it. He feigns infatuation with a beautiful Andalusian dancer, La OJavel. in order to gain information that is invaluable to the rebels; for La Clavel is the favouriie of Santacilla. a Spanish captain, who is the most despised officer in Cuba. Narcipsa Bscobar, daughter of a leading Cuban family, for whom Abhott has formed a true affection, cannot understand his actions until he explains that they are all for the cause. One of the most poignant, scenes of the drama is that which is enacted when the beautiful La Clavel, fatally stabbed by Santacilla, gives to Abbott the high-ly-prized bright 6hawl as a token of her undying love. In a struggle with Abbott, Santacilla is overcome by. a heart stroke Abhott hastens to the rebels, bringing word in time to save them from the disaster which Santacilla’s ruse would' have brought about. He returns to Havana- in time to witness the stabbing to death of his friend. Andres Bscobar, by La Pilar, a Eurasian, girl and a sjjy, at the annual danzon. La Pilar points to him in the gallery and accuses him. Abbott is seized and challenged to a dnel by De Vaca, Spanish captain, and fights nntil he drops from utter exhaustion. De Vaca cannot help but admire courage, and Abbott, awakens to find himself bound for home aboard a ship at sea, with his “belonging’'— which include Narcirsa and the bright shawl. •

Dorothy Gish is said to contribute perhaps tbo finest screen performance of her career as La Olayel. A pleasing series of supporting films will also be screened, including “Hands Up,” a Mermaid comedy. “Gay Pareo,” a trip to the French capital, Rnd the Empress Nears Film. The novelty interlude will he a series of Spanish dances by Miss Elsio DirV. The Empress symphony orchestra wili contribute a programme of excellent music. The box plan is nt tho Bristol till S p.m., then at the theatre.