ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

THEATRES LUXE LAST NIGHT OF “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.” Besides seventy settings, comprising what is probably the most elaborate scenic construction ever given a motion picture production, several important scientific discoveries were used in photographing “The Phantom of the Opera,” Lon Chaney’s Universal offering which concludes a successful run at the Theatre de Luxe to-night. Lon Chaney and a huge cast enact the gripping mystery story . of' Gaston' Leroux. Mary Philbin plays •the feminine lead, and Norman Kerry appears as her lover. Gibson GowI'land, Snitz Edwards, Virginia Pearson, and other standard artists will appear. Before the film there is a beautiful prologue arranged by Miss Kathleen O’Brien. The De Luxe Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr L. D. Austin, renders a beautiful musical score, including selections from “Faust.” QUEEN'S THEATRE “DURAND OF THE BAH LANDS.” “Durand of the Bad Lands,” the William Fox film starring Buck Jones, will be seen at the Queen’s Theatre for the last time to-night. The story concerns a man whose name is bad, rbut who is really good. Buck Jones is seen in many thrilling scenes in this ■picture' which is as good a Western drama as has ever been presented at this theatre. The love story which runs through the picture is well told, and ■greatly adds to the more than thrilling story. A cast of unusual excellence will be seen in support of Buck Jones. Marian Nixon, one of the daintiest of the new leading women of the screen, plays the heroine, while others in the cast are Carol Lombard, Malcolm •Waite, Fred De Silva, Luke Cosgrove, James Corrigan and George Lessley. Also screening is the final chapter of “Samson of the Circus.” There is a good supporting bill, and the programme is greatly enhanced by the delightful music of Miss Eileen Dennehy’s orchestra. PARAMOUNTTHEATRE “CLOTHES MAKE THE PIRATE ” AND MONA CLIVE. To-night is the last night at the Paramount Theatre of “Clothes Make the Pirate,” an excellent comedy, starring' Leon Errol and Dorothy Gish. Miss Gish has the role of a caustic nagging wife, while Errol portrays a timid old Yankee tailor who secretly fancies himself a fierce pirate chief. “Clothes Make the Pirate” is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by Holman Day,- well known as an author. This droll tale,, with its Safbatini touch of romance, was filmed under the supervision of Marion Fairfax, who also prepared the adaptation. It was directed by Maurice Tourneur Also appearing is the beautiful dancer, Miss Mona . (Hive, who presents a charming Eastern scena, set in a Syrian harem “The Syrian Love Dasicel” “Mona Clive’s Peaches,” a bevy of Wellington’s own girls, specially trained by Miss Clive, are also seen to exceptional advantage in an original chorus and dance ballet. Theie is a good supporting bill, and excellent mnsio by tne orchestra. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE EXCLUSIVE SPORTS FILM. At the New Princess Theatre this week is an extra special film—that of sports, at the Athletie Park on Saturday last. The picture is exclusive to the New Princess Theatre, and shows all the principal events of the day. The ladies’ races, the invitation race, the 300 yards race, with Scholz winning, the 290 yards, also won by Scholz, and the children’s races are all shown with great clearness. Priestly winning the mile test, and Hahn coming ,in first in the 1000 yards, are both .special features of the film/which also shows sections of the vast crowd at the parky The best part of the film Is the scene where Rose wins the fwomile handicap from scratch. On the programme is “Thy Name is Woman,” a beautiful draiia with Barbara La Marr. There is also “Where the Pavement Ends,” a gripping tale of the South' Seas, and another “Leather Pushers” story, “Don Coyote.”

The orchestra is heard at its best each night.

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT CONCERT FAMOUS SINGERS TO APPEAR. On Wednesday, March 17th, the public of Wellington will have an opportunity of hearing Mr Arthur Jordan, the famous English dramatic tenor, who was specially brought to New Zealand by the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company, Ltd. Mr Jordan has selected a fine range of songs particularly suited to his splendid voice. He is one of England’s greatest tenors, a matchless “Siegfried,” and singer of all the big Wagnerian roies with the British National Opera Company. His voice is the purest dramatic tenor and his personality and artistic temperament have won for him a commanding position amongst the - foremost British singers. Mr Jordan will be supported by the leading New Zealand talent, including Miss Teresa McEnroe and Mrs 'Wilfred Andrews. The box plan is now open at The Bristol, and early

booking is necessary to secure an opportunity of enjoying this excellent concert.

“THE FARMER’S WIFE” EDEN PHILPOTT’S GREAT COMEDY The playgoer who sighs for some-, thing different in the way of amusement will find it in Eden Philpott’s comedv, ‘‘i'lio Farmer s Wife,” which is to he presented at the Grand Opera House for a short season of sis nights only, commencing on Monday •next, by the j. C. Williamson firm, whose representatives in England selected an entirely new company of English artists for the Australasian tour of this play. ‘‘The Farmer’s Wife” comes direct to the Dominion from the Court Theatre, London, where it lias been the record English comedy success for the last, ihree years. It is said to he a play of .delightful humour, intriguing situations and the quaintest characters seen on the stage. One critic savs “It is the biggest laugh in years.*’ For the'production in Australasia of this notable play, a brilliant aggregation of London artists, including several who have appeared in the English production, have been bronght to the Dominion. These include Misi Doris Johnstone, who plays ,the title role. Last year Miss Johiistone, who is a tall and typically English girl, with beautiful hair and colouring, took part in the festival held in honour of Shakespeare’s birthday at Stratford on the Avon, and played leading roles in eight of Shakespeare’s plays. Townsend Whitling plays the role of the farmer, and his wife is Miss Violet Ley, also a member of the company. Both were in the Dominion some years ago with Ethel Irving’s Company. Susan Richmond has received unanimous praise from the critics for her impersonation of Thirza Tapper, a pornioketty little spinster in the show. The part of Cliurrlles Ash brings back to tin Australasian stage Mr Edwin Brett, who is well remembered as an admirable Mr Hook in the first production of “Mr Hook of Holland.” Emmeline Orford, Frances Cave, Grahan Staart, Douglas Vigors, Millie Engler Eardley Turner, Arthur Greenaway and Yetty Landau are other prominent people in the cast. The play and company enjoyed wonderfully successf il seasons in Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney critic writes: ‘ ‘The Farmer’s Wife’ abounds with crude country philosophy, amusing all the way through, it is really splendid fun, a play worth while going to again and yet again in order to capture its real essence.” The hox plans for the season open this (Thursday) morning at the Bristol.

KING’S THEATRE “THE WINDING STAIR.” Finishi ig its mu at the King’s Theatre to-iiight is “The Winding Stair,” which is adapted from the exotic and romantic novel by A. E._W. Mason, noted English author. Its locale is Morocco, with the French Foreign Legion prominent in the action of the story Edmund Lowe, playing the role of the hero, is cast as an officer of th 9 legion, as is also Mahlcn Hamilton, who plays the second lead. Alma Rubens, as the heroine, is ar Ameritan dancing girl stranded in a' Moorish coast city and forced to earn . a living by dancing in a Bohemian cafe. The romance between her and the hero starts when they meet in this cabaret. In the supporting cast are Chester Conklin, Frank Leigh, Warner Oland and Emily Fitzrey. ‘ There is -also a gazette, a comedy : (0 Henry'), and an interest film. A specially selected musical score of incidental music is played, and, as an entr’acte, Mr W. Haydock (late pupil of Dr Adolph Brodsky, principal of the Royal College o-f Music) rendered . a . violin solo, “Czordas.” FRIDAY NEXT “THE WAY O” A GIRL.” Quite one of the current season's best comedy thrillers is to be seen out at the King’s, commencing a week with next Friday’s showing, being “The Way of a Girl,” a gorgeous Metro-Goldwyn offering. A most popular cast is at the bead of affairs, prominent names being those of Eleanor Boardman, Matt Moore and William Russell. Replete with splendid settings and backgrounds this sparkling comedy surprise, right from the very beginning, fascinates one and entertains most effectively. In addition to possessing a novel theme it is exceedingly well worked out, and running swiftly through a chain of gripping incidents culminates in a powerful climax. THE SAILORS’ FRIEND SOCIETY An enthusiastic audience met the Mesdames Scott-Allan and McMillan at the Sailors’ Friend Society on Tuesday, when tEe concert proved extremely popular for the seafarers. The (performers were the Mesdames Scott-Allan and MeCalluin, Miss Masie Thompson, and Messrs Bannister, MeCallum,. Albert Jack, W. White; the MeCallum children (4) and Master McMillan. Mrs Mi:-Mi lan was at the piano. Mr Mpore, missioner, spoke of “The River” in relation to temperance, and men again signed the pledge. The competitions again held a keen interest for the guests. Prizes came from the Pioneer Club, and Mrs McMillan and went to “Gallic,” “Tninui,” “Norfolk,” “Huntingdon,” and “Tongariro.”