ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11785, 22 March 1924, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

“SALLY” CONQUERS MISS MELVILLE'S TRIUMPH. “ A REMARKABLE SHOW. It will be long before tbe firm of Williamson sends us a brighter and better . musical comedy than ''Sally/' A week 6 run has demonstrated that the Australian public knows a good thing when it sees one; and the Wellington season .should prove an augury of further suocoss in .New Zealand. With a strong cast and a famous and bewitching little star, "Sally” is likely to beat all records* just os in merit it all previous productions by ' "The Firm” ‘in the Dominion. It is elaborately mounted, and its presentation is the last word in production, for no-ex** pense has been spared in the moulding of "Sally”;, that is evident. The company is extra large and unusually clever; the whole show is the acme -of design, training, polish, and "pep.” It is as Bnappy, bright and musical a production as one is likely to see for several decades. The story of "Sally” is of particular human interest' and'appeal. Concerning the rise of a little dishwasher to be the star in New York's famous beauty squad, the Ziegfeld Follies, and reveals her at the beginning of the play in a third-rate “ restaurant, it leaves her the happiest * girl in New York.- The* Prince-of Gsechogovinia, to keep body and soul together, is forced to work as a waiter in this place, and. it is when a famous t dancer, engaged to perform at a function to be given in his honour by admiring friends (who do not know bis address) fails to appear that Sally gets her chance. Given it by an electrical American theatrical agent, Otis Hooper, who believes in her, she makes the most of the opening. But she is exposed and humiliated, and her blossoming love affair with Blair Farquhar, millionaire's son, is trodden to the ground. Yet the story comes to no unpleasant ending, though one undreamt of by the orphan in her alley days. Miss Josie Melville may aptly be dubbed Australia's Sweetheart/' - - In this production she makes clear her claim upon the affections of her audiences. Her work is irresistible. With her Mr George Gee shares the honoure. He is beyond doubt a rare and priceless comedian. As Ottis Hooper he brings more comedy upon the stage than over before, incidentally giving an excellent character sketch of the man. Mr Dan Agar, as the waiterunnee, gives a capital performance, often laughable in the extreme; and Mr Herbert Browne plays capably the part of Blair Farquhar. Some excellent work is done by Mr Hugh Steyne, in his imSersonation of a gay old admiral, and by le-.Charles-Howard, whose latest role is ins., best*' _ PGp.s * Shemdorff, the innkeeper, giving him ample opportunity to show his worth. Mr Reginald Roberts appears again as Farquhar senior; Miss in elm a Bumess takes the part of Rosie Rafferty, a manicurist: Miss Pixie Herbert is excellently suited to the role of Mrs Ten Brock, society woman; while Mr Sydney Clarke is Sascha, the cabaret violinist.

"Sail/' will bo repeated until Saturday next, and there will be a matinee per--2 a°™h e n ßrisior- be QUEEN’S THEATRE "WOMAN PROOF"—A GREAT FILM. Queen's Theatre is rapidly achievtog the enviable reputation of being one of those places where the public can re-ly-upon-getting an evenings good, clean •entertainment, and not, as is so often the case, where they may strike one good picture sandwiched in between half a dozen mediocre or inferior ones. In its choice. of bright, crisp comedy drama, the Queen s management is especially fortunate, and never more so than in the Paramount, picture, "Woman Proof," which headed the change of programme last night. "Woman Proof," which features that extremely popular film actor, Thomas Meighan, and contains also .in its cast such well-known players as Lila Lee, Robert Agnew, Louise Dresser, and Mary Astor, tell 6 the story of a young man. who wonld rather work than marry, even when marrying would mean the' Inheritance of & huge fortune. According to the will of the late Jefferson Roekwood, his millions will bo divided among his four children, provided ’they are all married within five years. As the time draws to a close three are ready for the plunge into matrimony v for their, share of the millions; but Tom, the eldest, who sur- ... prises', everyone by going to work, has „,,heen thftt..bugy, lie, has, .not had time to think of girts. Ana, what is more, he does not care one jot for them. The united efforts of his sisters and brothers with their respective Idlers fail to move him. When it is almost too late he sees the ward of his lawyer, and decides that this i 6 the girl. The lawyer is not anxious to lose the management of the. Roekwood millions by the marriage of his ward, to complete the four marriages, so he manages to put Louise Halliday off. Finding that there is no hope for him, Tom decides on a trip to Europe. His brother’s fiancee, who is sailing by the same boat, smuggles aboard. Louise is also left aboard when the boat sails. They meet, and a doable wedding takes place at sea, and the news is radioed to the other four and they also marry. The supporting pictures are all of firstclass quality, and the well-known Queen’s Orchestra plays charmingly daring the screening.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE .ALL-STAR CAST IN "THE WANTERS." A lady’s maid is the heroino of the John M. Stahl - production, , "The Wanters," which is now showing at Everybody’s Theatre. She is a maid bo-, cause she is a "wanter," desiring the. finer things of life, the luxuries and the ease that wealth oan furnish. And it is because of this wanting that the giri trikes a servile position in a million, a ire's home. Charming Marie Prevost portrays this unique screen heroine, who is discharged when found revelling in the finery of her mistress, but who returns to tho home as the wife of a young member of tho aristrooratic family to further complicate tho plot The production, which takes a fling at .snobbishness and vai.i wanting, is described as one of the moet unusual of tho season. Tn tlio all-star cast besides Miss Prevost aro Robert Ellis, Norma Shearer. Gert rude Astor, Huntley Gordon, Louise fazenda, and Hnnk Mann. The production is adapted from Leila Burton Wolls* story. The supports are of a very good standard and include a comedv, Graphic, and Pathn Gazette. The musical porl tion of the entertainment is supplied by Harry Avory and his Jszz Bond In a par. ticularly bright programme of music. TO-NICHT’B CARNIVAL AT THE BOAT HOUSE. The carnival at tho Boat Harbour, yrihioU deferred from March Ist to avoid conflicting with tho Pageant, will )k> held to-night. A large number of marine fireworks will be discharged and the start of tho evening's entertainment will lie signalled by some marine signal detonators. Blue lights and TOekets will frHitirine to ho let off at intervals. A splendid orchestra has heon engaged for the dancers, and with the full moon a nappy evening will he assured. An announcement appemp la unothex: column.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

ENJOYABLE VAUDEVILLE AND BRIGHT REVUFL Tho current programme at His Majesty's Theatre, combining an exceptionally strong teuni of vaudeville and a sparkling revue by the Doddy Hurl and Harry Evans company, kept the large audience which witnessed it last night in a very happy frame of mind. The cleverest* and by far the most spectacular of tho vaudeville offerings, was the juggling turn by the • Littlejohns, who were making their first appearance in Wellington. They arrive here fresh from great successes in Australia, where they were filling an eng lament with the Hugh J. Ward pantomime, "Mother Goose/' It is a long time since jugglers of such ability have been seen in New Zealand, and their aot is made all the more wonderful by the fact that each performer maintains his precarious balance on a rolling sphere, tho while all sorts of objects are kept spinning through the air in a most bewildering way. To finish off a succession of breath-taking thrills, they juggle nonchalantly with -three glittering and keen-edged axes while trundling easily round the stage on their spheres. Others who contributed? to the first portion of the pro*gramme were Loo. Stirling, an eccentric but clever musician; Lloyd and Raymond?, who entertain with song, patter, and dance; Harry North, who draw® real music from the concertina; and Charles Lawrence, a versatile artist whose mediums are oong, patter and piane. "Special Mixture” is the namo of the revue which the Doddy Burl and Harry Evans Company put on, and is a bright and arresting collection of music and! laugh arranged in three parte, labelled respectively "Tho Rehearsal Room/' "The Tabland,” and "Roseland.” In the first of these, which is a scream from beginning to end, Doddy Hurl is remarkably clover as tho "sweets” boy who takes on the role of comedian, whilo Horry Evans, as the Author, contributes much to the general hilarity. Patsy Hill is the leading lady, and Madeline Dormer and Billie Jones toko the parts of "Peggy” and "Poppy/' In the second "ray,” A 1 Mack scores a hit with his singing of "Too Many Girls” and a laughable farce, "Fancy Getting Annoyed/' is played by Harry Evans, Doddy Hurl, Victor Dyer and A 1 Mack. The third part opens with a beautiful transformation socno, and contains a charming love duot, "Mferiasippi,” by Patsze Hill and Vernon .Sellars, aid a dance and chorus by the "Sunbeam Six.” One of the cleverest things in the revue was the burlesque spiritualist seance, "Tho Lost Puree,” by Madeline Dormer, Doddy Hurl, Billie Jones, A 1 Mack, and Harry llvans.

This programme will be repeated this afternoon and this ovoning.

THE KIND’S THEATRE PARAMOUNT'S FINE F7EATURE. "THE EXCITERS." It is not diflicult to find the reason why the King’s Theatre continues to hold such a high place in public opinion. Not only are the exterior and interior attractive in every way, the comfort of the patrons everything that can be desired, but the fare put before the public maintains the high standard which made the "King’s" popular frpm the moment of its reopening. It is doubtful if even to-day any other theatre in the Dominion has the same exquisite lighting effects as those installed here, and when the various shades of colours are manipulated the results are very pleasing, and not tlying to the eyes. . During the brief interval the coey lounge upstairs enables patrons to stretch their lintfbs for a moment or two, and then they settle down to the big picture. The star item of the current week, which- made ite bow to the audience last night, is "The Exciters,” and the fact that Bebe Daniels and Antonio Moreno are the principals in this wonderful Paramount production, is enough to attract most movie lovers. Even if the subject was not a good one, Bebe Daniels wonld make it worth seeing by her charming vivacity which has made her one of the idols of filmland. In this story, a good one, she excels herself, for, as the speed girl, she enjoys the thrills of enjoying a morning spin in a powerful motor-launch, and varies this in the afternoon with thrills in the air. At night she delights in speeding along the highways in a purring motor-car, and her life is one long round of pleasure, until 6he finds herself married to a supposed cropk, bent on extorting a considerable sum of hard cash from her people to get the marriage annulled. A series of scrapes follows, Pierre tears up a cheque at the risk of forfeiting his life to the gang, and Bonnie—the part taken by Miss Daniels—follows him, with the result that both fail into their hands. Of course there is a rescue, and this feat, accomplished by her father, .with tbe aid of the police, is one of tno final thrills. Love, as usual, flies in at the window, and the reconciliation is as complete as one could wish. The comedy pictures are always good for some hearty laughs, and last night’s humour was' right on the mark, the “audience thoroughly enjoying the ridiculous antics shown in the picture. The "Gazette" gives the latest world news in photographic form, and right through the programme the King’s Orchestra harmonises with the various items. But a word of advice is necessary—not to the management, but the publlot Book your seats if you wish to make sure of avoiding disappointment.

PRINCESS THEATRE DOUBLE FEATURE! PROGRAMME. The lai^htor-provoking Marshall Neilan comedy, "Don't Ever Marry,” and the groat Paramount picture-play, "When Satan Sleeps,' aro tho two outstanding features in tho very fine programmenow showing at tho evor-popular Princess Theatre. Well described as a "mirth* quake,” "Don't Ever Marry” is full of fun and frolic from beginning to end*, Wes. ("Freckles”) Barry, as the boll-boy being responsible for no small share of the mirth. "Gettin' married'e like smoking,” raya Wes. "Yer crazy to try it, but it makes you orful sick. Then ycr got the habit, and can't keep away from it/’ Tho hero of "Don't Ever Marry” hag wed one girl necretly; but, to his extreme embarrassment, has two others thrust i.pon him, onb at the point of her divoroed husband's revolver. Bow he got into this dilemma, and hew he -gets out of it, makes a oiorv that is a veritable "geyser of giggles.” In "When Satan Slf-ops” Jack Holt has the unusual lole of a fighting parson. He is not actually a parson in the story, for he only assumes that disguise in order to safely spy out a little town which he and his pal plan to rob. But even at that, there is no disguise in the way he fighto, especially when a dying girl shows him the error of his ways and another beautiful girl proves to him that dho lovc3 him for tho man he appears to be Then ho fights not only his enemies, but wages a terrific battle for tho regeneration of his own soul. Which i» all by way of saying* that the X-icturo is one long punch from beginning to end, and that it teems with heart interest. Fritzi Brunette plays opposite the star. ORGAN RECITAL BERNARD PAGE TO-MORROW. Mr Bernard F. Pago (city organist) will give an organ recital at tho Town Hall to-morrow (Sunday) evening, and the programmj is ns underChoral-Prelude by Bach; Suite Ancienne, by Hollaway; "A Tear," by Moussorgsky; ' "Waldweben,” from Act. II "Siegfried,” by Wagner; (n) Meditation-Priere (Op. 90), No. 40, and (!>) Canzona (Op. 90), No. 85, by Guilmant; Toocata ;n F, by Coear Franck.