ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

<*lp ORANGES”

SHOWING AT TIVOLI THEATER. “Wild Oranges,”'the First National feature which is . shoeing at the Tivoli Theatre this week, is adapted from Josfeph Hergesheimer’s popular novel of the same name. “Wild Oranges” is the story of a disillusioned rerstless, heartbroken jnan John: .Woolfolk, who, after the tragio death of his wife, seeks seclusion from society aboard hts yacht:'He cruises about the various ooeans for twelve years, keeping as.far away from humanity as possible. Accompanying him is his Scandinavian sailor,* Halvard. It is on the wild coast of Georgia that Woolfolk finds renewed interest in-life, when He meets Millie, grand-daughter‘of Litchfield Stope, a man who is governed, by his imaginary fears. Stop© is ah outcast;of society, being forced Ho find refuge in the Georgia swamps because of a. certain incident during the Civil War. Nicholas, a man of towering strength, hut with the mind of an imbecile, performs. the menial- duties about the Stone_ household. It is WoolfoTk’s ambition to free . Millie from her surroundings which provides’ plenty of real action for the story.' There is a terrific fight between 'the half-erased Nicholas and WooTfplk. The whole picture breathes an atmosphere of tenseness as one unexpected event follows another: A notable cast comnosed of Virginia Valli, Frank Mayo. Nigel de Brnllier, Ford Sterling and Charles A. Post qarry out their rotes with great finesse. The second part of the programme shows/“The Girl in the Taxi,” a comedy- and gazette, .completing a programme of more thgn usuhl merit.

GRAND OPERA. HOUSE PAT HANNA’S DIGGERS.

- Commencing-on Monday night next, a shflkt i reason of costume comedy will be entered upon by Pat Hanna’s ViceRegal Diggers, who come dirept from a season in- the' grand Festival Hall at the Dunedin. Exhibition. It is the only company specially selected and: brought from Australia by the Exhibition authorities, and it says a lot for their success that they have to return. This combination is admittedly the finest of its kind in Australasia today, and its remarkable- record of -488 nights in Creinorne Theatre, Brisbane, ihas been further enhanced by the success .which has attended it everywhere. The offerings are varied and artistic, and present only the best in song, sketch, comedy, burlesque, male quartettes, dance specialities, and original and novel' interludes, Sufficient to stimulate the most fastidious theatre- 1 goer. Next Saturday will start a feast of laughter, as the Diggers hung up their stockings on: Christmas Eve, and the result has given an extra kick in their laughing gas attack. A combination like Joe' Valli, Bert Gilbert, G. P.~Hanna, • Stan Lawson, Brain Lawrenoe, Jim Foran, Jock Thomson, Chris Eisner, Frank McDonald, Roy Brinsden, Vera Carew,' Iza Crossley, Jessie. Hanna, Rosette Powell, -Thelma Pittard, Wynne.' Thomson, Kathleen Lawrence,' Olive Baker, Gwen Lewis, Myra Bennett,. Vera Rix, with the Diggers’ Superb, Ballet and a full concert orchestra assures of two hours and a half of. laughter, interspersed with, song and dance, and little touches' of pathos. A bright, rollicking non-stop show that pleases everyone and sends them away happy and anxious to'come again. . Truly, the only’time the laughter subsides is the 18- minute interval. The box plan nrill.open at the Bristol on Wednesday morning.

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT CONCERT A SPLENDID PROGRAMME.

e ®ort has been spared in tHe selection of talent to maintain the nigh, standard of excellence which the St. Patrick’s Night Concert has, reached. The committee has been fortunate enough to secure the services of, Mr. Arthur Jordan, one of the foremost of English tenorß. and who was specially selected by the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company for the Dunedin Exhibition concerts. Mr Jordan will be supported by the leading New Zealand artists, including Miss Teresa MpEnrpe and Mrs Wilfred Andrews. It is not often, that the musical public of-Wellington have, an opportunity’ of enjoying S rCally firstclass concert by: a combination of the -finest talent available. The Town, Hall should he well filled, and those who are anxious to go to the concert are advised to book their seats early. The box plan is now open at The Bristol Piano Co.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE EXCELLENT FILMS AND EXCLUSIVE SPORTS PICTURE. A picture which created a great deal of interest was screened at the New Prinoess Theatre last night, when a film of the final appearance of Scholz and Hahn at Athletic Park was shown to a delighted audience. The film is exclusive to the New Princess Theatre. The. picture itself is excellent jin every respect, and no . detail has j been missed. It is nearly 1000 ft in | length. Besides the inain features of the day there are also shown the heats of the ladies’ 120yds handicap. There is also a quick motion “shot” of this. Then there is the invitation race, with Leadbetter leading for first place. The best part of the whole picture is the mile test between Rose and Hahn. The finish of the rac6 with A. D. Priestly finishing first created wild enthusiasm. Later one sees Scholz winning the 300 yards from Lesfflbetter and_ the 220 yards Jenkins, itanri is also seen winning the 1000 yards with ease. The part of the film which causes the, audienoe to become wildly delighted is the part showing Rose winning the two-mile handicap from scratch. This is excellent.' Sections of the crowd are also shown.' Also screening is “Changing Husbands,” with Leatrioe Joy: Hubby did not like cigarettes and careers for women, but he though! there was truth in the old saying, “Give a horse enough' rope.” So he promised wifey to let her go her own sweet way for three months. Wifey changed places with someone else, and before the three months were up hubby came on the scene. And, then things were mixed! • In addition, there is “Paths to Paradise,” a novel “crook” story, with Betty Compson and Raymond Griffith. There is a good supporting programme and exoeUent music..

KING’S THEATRE

"THE WAY OF A GIRL” At the King’s Theatre last evening there opened the Metro-Goldwyn production, “The Way of a Girl,” featuiing Eleanor Boardtnan, Matt Moore, and Wm. Russell in one of the most stirring dramas, of the silver screen seen in Wellington for some time past. Rosamund (Eleanor Boardman), a society debutante, becomes engaged to George, whofc'is an irreproachably proper young nf»n. Rpsamund takes George (Matt Moore) vto a prize fight, and on the. way home she drives Tier car at an excessive speed, finally meeting with an Occident, and is arrested by a traffic officer.' The 'magistrate recognises her as a constant offender, and refuses to free her with a fine, hut agrees to release her on probation under George’s supervision. She flatly refuses to -.he! placed under his guidance, and spends the first night in gaol with a drunken female offender. This prove* to he too milch for her, and she premises everything to be let out on parole under the original conditions. Everything goes well until the night of the Artists" Ball, when George forbids her te go. Rosamund defies him, and, George follows in time to rescue her from a police raid. He places her in his car and sets out for her father’s lodge. On the way she throws her hat from the car." George gets out to retrieve it, and Rosamund then commandeers the car and: eets off at a mad pace down the mountain. At a sharp bend the wheel skids, and the car goes over a cliff. Rosaihund lands anhurfc on some bushes, and faints. Regaining consciousness,' she finds herself in a cave with two 'desperate looking .men who prove to be escaped convicts. One of them attempts to attack her, but is beaten off by the other. Fearing detection, they refuse to free her. After two weeks, she sees that her more kindly captor Is falling in love With her, and she' encourages his attentions Jo the point of allowing /her to escape! The Other convict perceives his, mate’s intentions and kills him. Rosamund is then dragged to the cave, and, in a tense moment, George enters. There is -an interesting collection of screen snapshots of’ Pathe Brothers, a splendid cartoon, and a most amusing comedy—the whole constituting one of the strongest programmes yet presented at This popular theatre. The King’s orchestra is as usual a feature of the entertainment, and plays an- excellently selected programme.

STRAND THEATRE

AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. John Strang, forceful and powerful, believes there is no power greater than himself, not eyen excepting the Supreme Being. He is the moqf sue' bessful fisherman in the little island fishing village off the coast of Nova Scdtia. What he wants lie takee, and what he-has lie believes has come • to him because ‘°f his great strength. He fears neither God nar man —is arrogant, brave, and self-sufficient. . With himselfi his mother,, and!, his younger brother Nbil, the latter weak, physically and bookishly inclined, lives Judith Nyto, an orphan.' Judith has believed that some day she will be his. wife, and in this belief she is joined by the people of the village- On one of his trips to the mainland, John enters a second-hand' bookshop to purchase a book for his brother. There be meets Lysette De Jon, daughter of the bookseller. ‘ Dainty and demdre Lysette seems an unfit wife for the tremendous John, whose enormous self-confidence blinds him to the fact that she has been drawn to Neil, and their love has grown into a burning flame. When he finally learns of it, he sets out to kill his brother, but Neil has already been .oanght in the maw, of death, for be is -trapped in a raging sea, and only the, strong arm of the powerful John can save him. That is the story of “The Storm Breaker, ’’ the star film which opened at the Strand Theatre yesterday. House Peters.has the leading role. He is supported by Ruth Clifford. Also screening is ‘’This Woman,” an intensely vital indictment of post-war society in New York, and specifically the story of a remarkable ypung wi>-. man, Carol Drayton, who tries to live down a ragged past. Carol’s voice, beauty, and the interests of a great impresario make possible a brilliant future if ' she can forget the past. Irene Rich and Rioardo Cortez are starred. There is a oomedy' and a gazette. Excellent music is rendered by the orchestra, under Mr H: Avery.

QUEEN’S THEATRE “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.” Following a phenomenally successful season at the Theatre de Luxe, the magnificent colour film, “The Phantom of the. Opera,” again thrilled a crowded audience at the Queen’s Theatre last evening. Undoubtedly the most amazing and spectacular film creation that has ever been screened in Wellington, it is safe to assert that no picture previously screened has caused such comment after the initial showing, as “The Phantom of the Opera.” Remarkable is the originality of the production. Imaginative, rather than real, suggestive rather than definite, the, opera ghost— and fearful figurehaunted the cellars of the Paris Opera House, absolutely terrifying the ballet girls, carpenters and soene-shifters. He was the terrible “Phantom of the Opera.” At the theatre Christine Daae, a young unknown singer, triumphs as Marguerite in “Faust’,’ in place of the prima donna, ,Carlotta, who has* been made ill by the ghost Bcare. She is inspired by a voice rrom outside her dressing room wall, but finds herself trapped in the underground dungeon, of the Phantom. ■ Her horror when she tore from his face the hideous mask —only to reveal beneath it a grotesque and ghastly visage, indescribable in ugliness—is depicted in a most tense and thrilling scene. Follows the climax indescribable in the height of its dramatio power. ■ ' . Lon Chaney scores a magnificent dramatic achievement in the role of “The Phantom.” A weird and mysterious personage, Norman Kerry and Mary Philbin are also featured in a tremendous cast' of over 5000 players. Picture patrons are strongly advised on no account to let slip the oppor-' tunity of seeing this master production. A splendid supporting programme is also screened. An especially delightful feature. of the eveping’s entertainment, is the charming special musical programme “The Phantom,” a weird and mysteritra under Miss Eileen Dennehy. A matinee will be held at 2,30 p.m. this afternoon^

FUN AND ACTION

THRILLS AT DE LUXE To be entertained properly—that is. enjoyably entertained—one has to be amused. One may appreciate the beauty and the quality of a sad picture, but that is dot enjoyment. All who see this week’s programme at the Theatre de Luxe will thoroughly enjoy themselves—-because they will he amused. “California Straight Ahead, which is the star film fealurnig Regiiiila Denny, does not merely move one to a quiet, complacent smile at the absurdity of its situations; it throws one into violent laughter at the clean, clever and screamingly fun-* hy incidents, which are nunctuated* with some hair-raisine motor speed i! r jP 8 * - The picture finds the line of discrimination between humour and absurdity, and gives Denny plenty of work to do in handling autos in some tight corners, finishing up with a spec* tacular and > exciting motor-car race. Under a mile to gp, and his car in flames, Denny tjashes around the track at top' speed, while the huge crowds line the grandstand with bated breath watching the two ''crouched figures! ba rely discernible through the smoke and names. Does ite win ? TK*t will keep. Tom Hayden is the chief character, and he gets offside with his fiancee through arriving late at the church to be married, clad in a Tupedo arid a hospital shirt—a relic of a few hours he spent in a hospital after a motor accident: She refuses to go through with the ceremony, so Hayden startson a transcontinental tour in the palatial honeymoon trailer which he had prepared for his bride, and gets his negro cook to use the trailer as a lunch wagon to sell thicken dinners. Hayden meets_his girl with her people, abducts her, hitches an elephant to the trailer and sels out for “California Straight Ahead.” He is arrested and is hailed put to drive the oar of hi* father’s rival in the big race. The race! It cannot he described. It’s too thrilling and'too fast, ; hut Hayden doesn’t, miss any opportunity of making his chance gopd far a partnership.

The film is reallv funny, particularly early in the piece when Hayden stays too long at a “stag” party at the eye of his wedding and later when he drives the docile elephant towards the distant, border and Los Angeles. A high tribute to the excellence ol the music of the Orchestra de Luxe was paid the conductor, Mr L. B. Austin, last evening- when “The Turkish Patrol” (Michaels) was played as an entr’acte. TEe - big audience 1 applauded vigorously a nth; insistently demanded a repetition, with the result that the picture, which had commenced was flashed Off and the entr’acte re- - peated. The orchestra was again accorded a generous measure of applause. The overture “Maritana” (Wallace) was among the choice pieoes played, the incidental music to “California Straight Ahead” including Tight operatic selections.

“TliE FARMER’S WIFE” OPERA HOUSE MONDAY.

On Monday evening at the Grand Opera House for a short season of six nights only, the Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., present a new English Comedy. Company, including ton noted London artists, in Eden Phjlpotfs’s clever comedy of Devonshire life, “The '■Farmer's Wife.” The play has proved the biggest comedy success of London since the. war, and is still running ; n itß third year,. A play of types and quaint characterisation, .the firm, to suit this, specially selected ten noted artists in England, many of whom have appeared in the English production. The Australian critics describe the piece as ‘ ‘The biggest, laugh for years. ’f Eden, Philpotts js well-known for his fine shovels, plays, and short stories dealing with rural life in England. ‘ Nothing he has written is better than “The Farmer’s Wife.” The infectious gaiety _crf the play is said: !to be irresistible. The characters are richly humorous and the plot an amusing one. The younger men spend most of their time in aniorous pursuit of Farmer Jaweetland’s • two daughters, the farmer himself proposes to and is rejected by four ladies in turn, and finally marries his gittractive housekeeper. AJI the ladies to whom he pays r.is addresses, the fox hunting widow, the' superior spinster with her villa residence, and the coy, comfortably-built postmistress, are all aqrasingly drawn and together with the part of the farm labourer and the farmer himself afford a clever company plenty of scope for laughter. A comuanv described by a Sydney critit as “brilliant,” includes Doris Johnstone, Townsend Wliitling, Edwin Brett. Violet Lay, Emmeline Orford, Reginald Newson, Graham Stuart, Susan Richmond, Frances Cave, Millie Engler, Yetty Laudau, Eardley Turner and Arthur Greenaway. The spe - cial scenery, old-fashioned dresses and effects, and the mufic are all in keeping with the atmosphere of the play, which : ie English to the last degree. ‘ The box plans for the season are open at the Bristol.

EMPRESS THEATRE LAUGHTER WEEK.

The two comedy features at the EmSress Theatre ate “Narrow Street,” a [aster Picture, and “Beggars on Horseback, ’ ’ a Paramount Picture. “The Narrow Street” .is. an adaption of the navel by Edwiii Bateman Morris, .which was a . best seller. .Possessing- all the qualities of mystery, roaneo and humour that made it a popular novel, it is said that the picture more than lives up to the written word, hy translating the whimsical in'terest. or "the novel on to the screen. Matt Moore, will be seen in the part of the bachelor, Simon Haldane, and knowing his penchant for humorous interpretations, the bashful hero promises to he enjoyable. Dorothy Devore has been chosen to portray Doris, who ingecte pep into the erstwhile colcmrlew life of Simon. She appeal's suddenly at his home,., out of a bitter storm, and throws herself on his mercy, for, refuge; it is from this on that complication after complication takes place, and the comedy situations are crowded one oh top of the other., James Cruze, producer of “The Covered Waggon.” has added another success to his long list, with “Beggars on Horseback,” He has employed an absolutely new method of presentiiig comedy, and the onlooker'will be positively amazed at the result. . Edward Horton and Esther Ralston are in the leading tolas of this story, .which tells of a young symphony composer who is forced to write hafefui jazz songs to keep from starvation. Two girls are in love, with him, one poor and the other rich; finally, in order, to be able to devote himself to the better class of inusio he becomes engaged to the rich girl of tlie self-made father; it is directly afterwards that he has a most amazing dream and Fees himßelf married and beset by jazz-loving relatives of his wife. The dream sequence' is the big feature of this novel, and lavishly produced comedy, Stan Laurel is seen in. “Rupert of Heo Haw,” a comedy skit on the famous novel and play, and the latest Rathe Gazette will also he thorwn-

AT HIS MAJESTY’S

“ON THE WHEEL,” AND . VAUDEVILLE. The final performance of “On the Wheel,” the Phil, Smith Revue, will t ike place at His Majesty’s to-night. The revue is a general mix-up of'other women’s husbands, and ■ other men’s wives. The mix-up starts when a lady and a man, married—but not to each other —get stuck in mid-air On a “JoyWheel.” The explanations Which follow are even fupnier than the complications: Phil. Smith and Net. Hanley are, as uiuial, the chief, and excellent funmakers. Peggy' Peate, ■ Phyllis Nicholson, Nellie Dean, and Robert Raymond are all heard to advantage, while Charles Megan and Mildred O’Brien delight with their dancing, William Green is a valuable member of the show. The Smiling Six are most popular in all their work, especially their dancing. In the vaudeville, half, Leslie Elliott still causes the audience to shriek wilh laughter at her humorous - songs at the piano. Bella and Morris are popular in song and patter, while Cardin,i continues to mystify everyone with his cleter tricks. His turn is neat. David' and Queenie Kaili, the Hawaiian, entertainers, present a turiT which > s well worth seeing. Bert Elliott dbesi some clever juggling with hats. Mr Prank 1 Crowther’s orchestra provides good music -for the show.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE # “BORROWED PINERY.“THE ' DEATH DANCE.” An entertainment of absorbing Interest unreeled itself in the Tiffany production, “Borrowed Pinery,” by George Bronson Howard, which was shown for the first time yesterday at the Paramount Theatre. The story is of peculiar interest to many people, telling as it does in no uncertain way of the urge for luxuries by the younger, generation, no matter what the cost may he. Louise Lorraine, as the leading feminine player, . has added new laurels to her, histrionic ability,, and picture-goers are sure that more will he heard about this more than winsome young lady. Others in' the cast who helped to portray the principal characters are Ward Crane, Lou Tellegen, . ~,iylor Holmes, Hedda Hopper, Bar’—.ra .Tennant, Gertrude Astor, Trixie "“riganza, Otto Lederer. W. H. Strauss, and Pat Pendegrast. The picture was ablv directed by “scar Apfel. On the Wfl is also a gazette, a comedy, ana an unusual scenic. Just Before the interval there was a ’social attraction, Mona Clive and! her “"“•ollington Peaches.” TlJfe act opened with a scene representing sunny Spain with two performers who daneeo anArgentine tango. After that Lucy Lancety and Two others were seen in an eccentric novelty. “The Sneak.” Tins and Thelma Turner’s elog danco were really- well worth seeing. Then came Miss C'live herself in. a weird dance, reminiscent of the mystic East, “The Death Dance.” Miss Clive posturing and dancing to the fascinating strains of the “Indian Love Lyrics. “Thb Death Dance” to symbolic of the anoient law of the East, which’' decreed! that a dancer at the zenith of her career must either give up her profession or die. Amaru, as impersonated by Miss Clive, preferred death rather Ithan forsake her life’s passion. There are excellent. orchestral ’ items throughout the programme.