ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12017, 20 December 1924, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE A VARIED BILL. There will matinee at His Majesty’s tliis afternoon, and in the evening the current bill will be repeated for the last time. The programme has proved an 'exceptionally popular one, .being witnessed nightly by large and enthusiastic audienpes. The first portion is devoted to vaudeville! and contains some flint olass turns, prominent amongst which is . that of Ceciie and Frank Eldred, a pair of novelty performers. Alec.' Regan, the fashion plate light oomedian was'as brilliant as ever in an entirely new repertoire of the latesf English and American jazz specialties. Harry Oaff and Winnie Wagner, who are making their last appearance this week, introduced another of their, popular _ 1 song scenas, entitled ‘ ‘An Arabian Night,” while a new ventriloquist novelty 'was provided by Walter Vernon, whose cleverness in this subtle art earned for Mm unstinted appreciation. Armitage and Hine, in a brisk song and patter turn concluded the list. This week’s revue by the-George Storey Company is entitled “The Night Club,” and is a riot and humour, song and colour. Humorous incidents are numerous, and as’ far as there exists any continuity, it lies in the search of a wealthy lady for an unkissed man, to whom she is prepared, when she finds him, to give five thousand pounds. George Storey, in the role of an ex centric r, alet ) plots to pose as one whoso masculine [ids have been, unsullied by ,a single caress, and is cn the very point of getting away with the deception—and with the money—when a handsome stranger , walks calmly on and converts both to his own use. The musical numbers include some very attractive SQngs, these being: “It’s Home to Me,” bi Hark Erickson; “Key of My Cellar,” by Rich Butler and girls: “Dance o( the Maid,’’ solo by Della Ray; ‘‘Piper of Love,” by Mahelle Morgan; “Keep 'Em Guessing,” by Dulcie Milner and girls; “Grannie’s Song at Twilight,” by Fred Monument; “Kissing,” by: GeOrge Stacey and Frank ; Hiaining; “Evangeline,’’ by Dulcie Milner andRiob Butler ; “I’m Tickled to’ Death f’m Single,!’ by , George Storey “Where the Lagy. Daisies Grow,” by Rich Butler and girls. “THE O'BRIEN GIRL” AT HIS MAJESTY’S NEXT FRIDAY . AFTERNOON. “The O’Brien Girl’ commences with a matinee on Friday, December. ;26th (Boxing Day). Of the members of the company, many are English, and a few ■ are- American.- and all that were responsible for “Tho O’Brien Girl’s” phenomenally successful seasons in’ Melr bourne and Sydney are coming to, Nevf Zealand. The plot' of the play 'is of the always-popular Cinderella type. Alice O’Brien (Mamie Watson), stenographer, baa reoeiyed a email legacy. She reaolves to have , one crowded week of luxurious life, . and in the play she is found at a fashionable summer hotel. Many skilled dancers help to maintain the general'brightness. Dancing is a strong feature of tiho show—m fact, it might be said that there is dancing all the time. There are specialty dancers in full force, some of them singing and acting as well. Among these are Hazel Harries, June and Dorothy Roberts, Wesbley Pearce, and Maiidie Vera. Miay Beatty, the brilliant New Zealander, returns to her native land, and is sure of a warm welcome. Mark Daly, the accomplished English comedian. and Ireland Cutter, also from England, along with May Beatty, are responsible for most of the excellent comedy in the show.* Mannie Watson, who plays ’Alice O’Brien, is one-of the most fascinating personalities the Australian stage has known. Leyland Hodgson is an ideal juvenile lead. The company comes here with full ballet and chorus, soenio and lighting effects,, and by no means the least attractive part or the production is it magnificent dresrimg, which was designed by Miss Ethel Moar, a Wellington girl. The box plan is at the Bristol. . , , “The O’Brien Garl” will be played at Hia Majesty’s Theatre for seven nights after which “Little Nellie Kelly” will be staged, followed toy “Tangerine.” "THE SEA HAWK” BIGGEST FILM OF ALLI The management of. the De Luxe Theatre has, shown, commendable enterprise- and good showmanship in selecting ,“The Sea Hawk”, as the opening production- 'df their magnificent house of entertainment for- the New Year, 1925. From What we are told of the production it is -the greatest triumph of screen history and) certainly augers well for tho good things the screen _ is destined to give us nent year The picture is based on Rafael Sabaibaini's masterful story of adventure on land and sea. The producer, Frank Lloyd, is one of . the real genius of screen (maft, but he is said to have surpassed l himself in every way in this, his latest, achievement: “The Sea Hawk” is more than a drama. It is a inspiration embodying tthoughto of a master story teller, the' collective genius and artistry of a producer. and four thousand artists, not cast in mob scenes, but; all with im- , portiant roles 'to portray. A total of: £BOO,OO was expended in the reproducing of the spectacularly effective scenes, the Oriental sets, and 1 the vast atmosphere incorporated, in the story. >, The more tense soenes wtiil perhaps be found: in the great slave market episodes, the .capturing and chaining to the oars of Sir Oliver Ttesillran, whom fate decreed to be treated as a. galley slave, only 'to see him emerge above hia comrades as the notorious Sea Bjanrfk. (Milton Sills, who enacts the role, has always been renowned for his excellent character portrayals, but excels himself in this main title part, Enid Bennett as Rosamund is sweetly in the picture throughoutj and gives a performance: that will live in.the memory, In conjunction with the screening of the “S«a Hawk” a huge stage presentation will be offered. Box plane are now open. KING’S THEATRE “THE LAST OF THE DUANES.” Zane Grey, who wrote much for the millions, wrote with sincerity and depicted with his pen actual experiences of his. life of adventure. Thus have liis stones gained unbounded popularity. They contain nothing that is artificial or unbelievable, but axe saturated with the. true atmosphere of, the great outdoors. No wonder then is the screen adoption of his great book, “The Last of the Duanes” a tremendous success. With, admirable fldenity it transfers the pen pictures of the author into a picture full of realistic incident. It is,a revelation In,photographic art, and a tribute to the moving picture industry. When it was first shown at the King’s last night it was revived with great enthusiasm, and 1 if initial screenings count for anything it will have a conlinoua run af success in Wellington.

I . ... . And well - does it deserve it. The plot ieils of the adventures of the scion of • famous Texas family, who had. been .great fighters far generations past. He .» forced into a revolver battle by • ■nan full of revenge and drink, and 01 “merging the victor of a contest-with guns is forced to seek' refuge- in the . wilds of his State. Like a hunted animal he flees from- hiding place to hid,rag, place, and his endeavours to, frustrate his pursureis provide many thrilling incidents. Entwined in the plot is a delightful love story, and the ending is a fitting climax to a great picture—one that is on epoch in the history of the film..’ Tom Mix, who ; plays the leading role, enhances even his previous successes, and his horsemanship on the sure-footed Tony, is alone well worth seeing. Marian Nixon, the feminine lead, is sweetness itself, and she shows fine historonic powers. There is an excellent supporting programme, including a comedy . and the latest gazette, while the King's Grand Orchestra, wilder Mr A,;H. Jerome, plays a delightful selection of numbers, including the splendid overture “Light Cavalry,” from Suppe; There will be special matinees daily through the change in addition to the evening performances. EMPRESB THEATRE aaaiEEiN tests begin. Great attractions are provided for the public at the Empress Theatre ioi to-day and the forthcoming holiday week; for the first BeaUmont Smith movie tesla were made yesterday after noon and evening. ‘ ; There have been over 300 entries, and a. number of tests axe,being made at each' performance. Several were yesterday put throUgjh various scenes from short scenarios to find suitable screen typis. Several types were chosen and after rehearsals were photographed' under artificial light, Mr, L. H. Nunn, Mr Smith’s representative, being in charge. The stage was fitted up like a minature studio, With oamera men and technical staff in, attendance. The pictures made axe to be shown at the Empresß Theatre later on. Several of the aspirants show unusual promise. The producer will engage from New Zealand any: screen aspirant who meet with bis requirements, and will take ' auoh artists to Sydney. The tests will be given twice daily, at 2.30 and 8; children being tested only at'matinees. In addition to the screen tests, Beaumont Smith’s latest Australian comedy drama. “Hullo Marmaduike.” is being shown. It features that, popular comedian, Claude Dampier, who has (proved himself even greater on the screen/than on the stage. He is supported by Mayne Lynton, who-, has already appeared in this country in “The Oat and the Canary,” “The Bat,” and “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,” with Lady Forbes Robertson. He plays the heavy lead, and l is a strong dramatic screed personality. Also in the cast are Lucille Lisle, a newcomer of 16, who bias been discovered by Mr Smith, Constance Graham, Fernando Butter (a FrenchAustra.lia'n -beauty), J. R. Taylor, and Gxafftbn WiUiams. The picture deals with the adventures of Marmaduke, the titled sprig of the British aristocracy, who Oormec to Antipodes as a remittance manfi and something of a ne’er-do-well, hut makes good, and is loved by everyone because of his , unselfishness and generosity. Much of the aotiou of the film takes place on the Orient Royal Mail steamer Osterley, on a voyage from England to Australia. Randwiek racecourse, an Australian Mining camp. Sydney’s beautiful harbour, homes, and Its gayest cabarets are -piotured. The great, dimax of the film is the sinking of the battbvihip Australia. , Th° Hip and .death fight on this vessel as she is sinking is a must thrilling incident.

There is any amount of mirth in. this exoellent comedy drama, which -will be screened continuously from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m. The great film tests will be held at 2.30 and 8 p.m. only. The picture taken in front of the Empress yesterday will be shown at a later date. “CHANGING HUSBANDS” ", ATTRACTION AT QUEEN’S. The) Great War was responsible for, a .great many things, and in those days when the world was still mad with war fever, the bonds of holy matrimony were not treated with that respect, and concern due to them. Just hoi? lightly they rested on a section of the fasti moving American set is graphically told in the thrilling film, “Changing Husbands,” which commenced a season at the Queen's Theatre ..yesterday. Leatrice Joy occupies the title role of this highly amdsing and. clever comedy. The story depicts the restless spirit which was universal throughout the civilised world after the war bad cast preconceived moral ideas into' the melting-pot. Oliver Evans, a wealthy young American, realising that his young wife is bored to ‘teafs by a life of convention, agrees to' let the yotang woman have her head, as it were, for'three months. Gwyne, the beautiful young bride, revelling in ber liberty, determines she . will become a movie star. She findb that in New York she has a double in the shape of a screen actress, and she forthwith arranges to change identifies with this, actress. . Complications follow; and, to say the least, they 'are ludicrous to a degree; and result in a matrimonial tangle of the first water, which can only be solved by an interchange of husbands. , This appears to be for the better all round. The acting in, this screamingly funny film, is delightful, and Leatrice Joy is supported by such favourites as Victor Varconi, Raymond Griffiths, Julia Faye, and Zasir Pitts. The picture was produced by Cecil B. de Mills, and he spared no pains to. make ■>t a success. In support there is a comedy, gazette, and travelogue,, while the Queen’s Orchestra dispenses appropriate musical items. TIVOLI THEATRE DOUBLE FEATURE BILL. The management of the Tivoli Theatre has secured two first-rate pictures for the forthcoming week, and action is the keynote, to the success of them both. '’The Storm” is a magnificent production, and the great outside scenes, away to the north, are wonderful for their very hugeness of perspective. Through' thife thrilling drama runs as a theme the power which a woman holds, and as to the heroine, the beautiful Virginia Valli creates a wonderful role. The film is from the Universal Studios, and is a Jewel produc-, tion. The great snow storm apd the devastating forest fire establish new records for Bopsational screening, which is saying something, even in these days of massive films. Besides the element of simple drama there is woven into the story'the two kinds of, fear which men have of women. It is a gripping tale, well told, and holds one\ interest throughout. Supporting Miss Valli there are House Peters, Matt Moore, and Josef Swiekard.

In addition Tom Mix dispenses of more real thrills than ever before in his latest i hair-raiser, ‘‘Just Tony,” in which his wonderful horse plays a conspicuous part. The play gives these two inseparables score for all the stunts they want to work off, and they go about it in no half-hearted manner. There is also a full programme of supporting!' film* ~ i

“FOR SALE” 1 *. !r " ' ■ ■„ , :■ i STIRRING DRAMA AT- DE LUXE. A vvonderfully penetratiAg-insighh . into the plotting and counter-plotting that goes gn ■ under- the ismUiogVsarface of New York’s sbeial is ' afforded in the First National -filniv'fForiSale,” which was screened for the first time at Gie De Luxe Theatre last night. I H« picture tells the story of a beautiful society girl who, amidst all' her wealthy chooses to fall in love with the one poor man' she knew. On the very night that they decfap& their love for each other,: sbb 1 surprises her father in the act of committing Suicide through financial worry, and is only jnst in time to save him. He is on the verge of bankruptcy, and worse than that has used trust moneys which he Ha now unable to, repay.' Nothing can: save, the family. from 'scandal and disgrace, followed .by sooial oblivion except Eleanor’s marriage to one.,’ *>f the wealthy young; men of their set To save her father Eleanor consents, and becomes engaged as directed. But tragedy pursues her as if to avenge her betrayal of ber love, and ber fiance is killed in a motor , accident an hour : sifter their betrothal. It is here that Joseph Hudley, a parvenu and laotial climber, the man whose' monev Eleanor’s father has misappropriated, comes on the scene, and as a price for his silonce, is accepted as a suitor far Eleanor’s hand. The party—father, mother.. daughter and suitor—go to Paris to give Hudley a*clear field, and while there Eleanor comes across her former lover, sunk to the depths, in a low drinking dive, trying to forget the woman who sold herself. The despair at the awful blunder she has made of in everything, she consents to marry Hudley and returns to New York. The shock of learning that Eleanor has been to look for him stirs Allan Penfield, her first -betrothed,, to assert his manhood, and he returns to New York i'ust In time to arrive at a dinnev given iy Eleanor’s parents to eeleljrate her. approaching marriage. The.-sight of her lover convinces EleanoV that she cannot go pn with the marriage;' and,, as Hudley refuses to release' her,' she endeavours to kill herself. *■ SJie. is prevented by Penfield, and Penfleld, seeing that Eleanor really loves his rival, rises to the occasion, gives her back her promise and offers to help her bewildered father .out of his financial difficulties. Claire' 'Windsor plays the part, of Eleanor Bates, while Robert Ellis, Adolphe Menjou and' Tally Marshall are also in the cast.; There is a strong supporting programme, while the De Luge Orchestra was heard to the best advantage. MURIEL STARR IN “EAST OF SUEZ.” On Monday morning, at the Bristol Piano Company, the box plans will be opened for the initial) representations here (at the Grand Opera House on; Boxing Night) of Somerset Maugham’s famous and spectacular dramatic triumph, “East of Suez,” which will signalise the reappearance here of that magnificent and very popular actress, Miss Muriel Starr and Mr Frank Harvev, who will be supported by a very strong dramatic company. The interest in the production of “East of Suez” has_ been increased by the reports that in it Miss Starr has achieved the best success of her wonderful career, and it in also staled that' Frank Harvey is at his best in this play. The story of “East of Suez” is. brieflv: An Englishman, despite the pleadings of his friends and companions, mates with a half caste Chinese girl. No fear of departmental annoyance or prospects of

social ostracism can dissuade the young uian, and an alliance happens. Then 'follows a most dramatic Btory. Daisy, the half-caste;, foils desperately in lave with' her husband’s best friend, who had previously narrowly escaped being caught in the net. It develops into a fight to preserve an Englishman’s honour against the wiles of a fascinating girl,' who would agree even to the murder of. bar husband to regain the affeo. ■ tion bf ‘the man she imagines she loves. After a struggle, the friend gradually falls, until he finds himself living a life “lower than his conscience.” One dramatic scene follows another, and the audience is kept in a state of excitement until ’the curtain finally falls on one of the finest dramas the stage has produced. Only a few perfbqnanccs can be staged of “East of Suez,” as during a brief season “The Garden of Allah’’ and “Bought and Paid .'For” willaleo be produced. . The ffcaitt for “East of Suez” will be opeamjn. the Britbl Piano Company oh- -IHXtkby morning, next. ‘ MORGAN RECITAL BERNARD PAGE TO-MORROW. Mr j|emard F. Pago (city organist) will give an organ lecital at the Town Hall, to-morrow (Sunday) evening at 8.30 p.m., and he lias arranged the programme as under Sonata No. 6, by Mendelssohn; Arcadian Idyll,: “Serenade,” “Musette.” “Solitude,” bv Lorn are ; Prelude, Fugue, and Variation (Op. 18), Cesar Franck; Pivlude (Op. 16), No. 8, by Scriabine; Elegy No, 2 in G for strings, by Tchaikovsky; Suite (Op. 87), by Niemann.