ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

PARAMOUNT THEATRE ‘‘THE NEW COMMANDMENT.” Thrills, laughs, romance, pathos, and melodrama, that is what Robert T. Kane lias provided in ‘‘The New Commandment, ’ * his initial production for First National which commenced at the Paramount Theatre yesterday. “The New Commandment” is a modern society melodramatic triumph that is on the list of best pictures of the season. Blanche Sweet, Ben Lyon, Holbrook Blinn, George Cooper, Pedro De Cordova, Diana Kano, Eflio Shannon, Dorothy Cummings, and many others are in the cast of this sterling film. “The New Commandment” is ; a screen adaptation of Colonel Frederick Palmer’s “Invisible Wounds.” The story tells of a Mrs Ormsby Parr, a petty scheming society woman, who has buried three husbands, contemplates marrying her step-daughter to Billy Morrow, son of the wealthiest man in America. Billy is disinterested in the idea—and as a matter of fact, in life jn general. Mrs Parr arranges a yachting party for a Kuropean trip. At the hour of sailing. Mrs Parr and her stop-daughter nervously await the belated arrival of Billy, who at the last moment dashes up in a taxi. Red, the taxi driver, remarks that the dream of his life has been to make a trip in a, yacht. Billy for the sake of a little excitement offers to take him along. After some exciting scenes the story leads to a fight in a Parisian .cabaret, in which Billy and Red are very prominent. Police chase them, and Rene, a painter’s model, jumps into Billy’s car. It is a case of love at first sight. War being declarec), Billy and Rea join the Foreign Legion. After, some misunderstanding Billy leaves Rene* without saying good-bye. Billy is wounded and taken to a temporary hospital which Rene and a marquise are running, and personally caring for wounded soldiers. So Rene and Billy, their doubts and jealousies vanished! come together again. The supporting programme includes Gaumont Graphic, scenics, Pathe Review, and cartoon. The music, played by the orchestra under Mr Caulton, adds a delightful touch to the entertainment. DE LUXEJHEATRE GUESTS WHO NEVER CAME THE FAMOUS “STELLA DALLAS.” For a fortnight or mare the Wellington public have known that the United Artists’ feature “Stella Dallas” was coming to De Luxe Theatre, one of the most dramatic and pathetic stories m screen history. It is. a case of one good story followed by another, but so different in character as to be an entire change from that of the preceding week, which is one of the big reasons why the people never tire of “De Luxe.” The presentation of the eighth birth day party, of Laurel, Stella’s young daughter, is a wonderful theme. Stella Dallas, played by Belle Bennett, after separating from her husband, centred her whole life upon her daughter, Laurel, portrayed by. Lois MoTan. On the eighth anniversary of the girl’s birth, the mother made elaborate preparations for a party, inviting all the schoolmates of the girl. For days and nights she has laboured to prepare for the occasion. The time arrives, and breathlessly and in keen anticipation the two wait. The hour hand of the clock slowly encircles the dial. But no guests arrive. At last, a step an the stair 1 Laurel breathlessly reaches the door to be handed a note for the mother, who scans it. The principal of the select school for girls has inadvertently seen Stella Dallas in an innocent, but apparently compromising situation with her friend, Ed Munn, the. riding master, and requests Laurel’s withdrawal from the school, and that tho ohildren had been forbidden to attend Laurel’s party. Crushed, Stella docs not confide in Laurel the contents of the note, but insists that they go on with the party. Each assuming gaiety, pausing anon to brush away a tell-tale tear, then hastily returning to the carefree spirit of the moment before, the girl soberly, hut with simulated joy, unwrapping her birthday gifts, the mother laughing half-heartedly with her, ithen absently returning to the real tragedy of the situation—the scene is without doubt one of the most poignant ever screened. The clever adaptation of the novel is from the pen of Frances Marion. There is a news film and a comedy, both excellent features, and the music is delightful, some of the finest composers, but with nice discernment avoiding those highly technical works which do not quite appeal to people out for an evening’s enjoyment.' “Lilac Time” is a pretty overture, and .made a popular appeal. There is a matinoo performance this afternoon as well as the evening programme. HIS MAJESmIHEATRE LAST. NIGHT OFPROGRAMME. “A Trip to the Moon,” the current' revue at His Majesty’s Theatre, is proving a decided attraction. Tho Elton Black Town Topics Revue Company has tho handling of the piece, and wholesome fun, bright music, and catchy ballets are features. Elton Black and Charles Sherman are responsible for most of the comedy. Jn the vaudeville section the Cycling Brocks perform amazing stunts on a number of cycles, little June Megan gives some clover impersonations, Reg/ Horton and his partner Doris offer a variety of amusing topicalities, am! Keith and Joan Dingley display the' latest in English dance steps. There will be a matinee to-dav at 2.30. stranTtheatre “TH ECIRCUS CYCLONE.” The star feature to-day at the St: ami Theatre is “The Circus Cyclone,” starring Art Acord. It is a novelty photoplay with all tho thrills of tho cattle ranges and tho life in a circus, and tells the love story of a big cowboy and a girl rider of tile circus. The second feature, “The Domany,” or “Children of tho Caravan,” places F. Martin Thornton among the greatest of British picture directors. Never before have the beauty and ruggod grandeur of Scots scenery been so triumphantly exploited. Victor Mnclaglen’s interpretation of the gipsy chief is easily the best work he has yet done. The sheep dog trial and the final thunderbolt and fire effects are triumphs of production. There is an exceptionally good and bright supporting bill, which includes a comedy, a gazette and a scenic. The musio of Mr H. Avery, the wizard of the piano, ,is an added attraction.

KING’S THEATRE “MIKE”—A DELIGHTFUL COMEDY ' A delicious cpinedy, clean and wholesome, is the Metro-Goldwyn film, ‘‘Mike,’'’ which was screened for the first time at the King’s r Theatre last evening to a big house. There are thrills, adventure, . romance, andpathos, as well as.humour in this excellent film, and a girl who made her father a teetotaller by scaring him to death. It is as fine an entertainment as ono could wisli for. Alike is a winsome and motherless Irish girl, whose father is a section boss on a railroad, and his assistant is named Schmaltz. A friendship between a young man named Harlan, who is trying to live down the reputation, ol : being a gaolbird,- and Mike rapidly develops. Alike discovers that a man named £>iinky and liis gang are planning to rob a transcontinental train. Just as she gives the alarm the bandits lock her in a carriage, cut the wires and start the heavy vehicle on the slight incline on which it is placed.

Harina and Clancy discover the car coming, with the girl and four children on it. Harlan shows his great courage in a thrilling rescue, and snatohes the four from danger, just as the car is switched on to a side lino, to plunge, headlong over a cliff a few minutes later.

In the meantime Army headquarters have received the message sent by Mike, land aeroplanes* are sent to the scene of the' :rcvblH'ry. . The train has been ransacked by this time, and the ’planes overtake the bandits, who are fleeing in speedy motor-cars. Then follows an intensely thrilling scene, in which the mails are recovered after the bandits have been bombed and forced to surrender.

At this stage fortunes change for the better. After the rescue of the girl and the children, the construction master adopts a patronising attitude towards the youngman, who knocks him'down. Surprised •at this show of spirit, the -rdadmaster engages him, and Harlan later receives a Government reward for his share in the capture of the bandits. There is now no obstacle in the way of his marriage to Mike. The title role is . taken bv Sally O’Neill, and she performs brilliantly. William Homes, Ford Sterling, and Charles Murray are also members of a particularly strong cast. The supports include a sparkling comedy and tli6 latest gazette, while, an additional. attraction is provided by the'engagement . p£. Mis ( s Jessie .Shmith, the possessor , of a delightful pontralto voice, who is proving very popular in Wellington. The King’s Select Orchestra, under Mr A. H. Jerome, renders a specially-selected score of incidental music. murielljTarr IN “THE GOLDFISH.” Commencing on Wednesday, August 4th, at-the Grand Opera House,..Muriel Starr will present Gladys - Singer’s - French comedy, “The Goldfish,” which j has just had a most successful tour in - Australia. An Australian exchange says:—“ ‘The Goldfish,” ,American m flavour though it is, is distinctly: off the beaten track. Its action concerns America’s easy divorce laws. It isbrimful of fun without being too absurd, and is piquant throughout the three acts. Of plot, there is little or none, the unmistakable humour of the play centring round Jenny Wetherby’s changes in husbands. Jenny Wetherby, whose Christian name becomes more grandiloquent as she asoends the social scale, is personated by Miss Muriel Starr in a manner of which the most is made,', and her . coaching' by Cohrit Stanislas' Ne vsk'i (Mr .Harvey’ Adams), in the art of deportment affords some of the richest comedy imaginable. All the characters are exoellently cast, and as a result the play went well on the stage, and kept the crowded audience in highly appreciative mood. Mr -Raymond Lawrence (as Jim Wetherby, Jenny’s original husband), Mr Charles Lawrence (as Herman Krauss, her second matrimonial partner), Mr August Neville (as Hamilton J. Power her third choice), and Mr Kenneth Brompton (as the Duke of Middlesex, to whom Jenny became engaged) acted, delightfully; as. did’ the Misses Bebe Scott (Magnolia, a coloured “ house worker), Bertha Ballinger (Amelia Pugsley), Clarice Kingsley (Ellen, a maid), and Messrs Felix Bland (Casimir), and Kyrle Sylvaney (Wilton, a butler). The play, like its predecessors, was beautifully mounted.” During the Wellington season Miss Starr will produce a number of successful comedies and dramas, notably, “The House of Glass,” “French Leave,” “The Sigh on the Door,” “Outcast,” etc. Full particulars of box plan arrangements-,, and .prices will be announced later. “CARMEN” ■ 1 WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION. Great interest is being taken in the Choral Union’s forthcoming performance of “Carmen,” which is to take place in the Town Hall next Saturday, the 31st. An exceptionally strong cast of principals has been engaged. The part of Don Jose will be taken by Mr Arthur Jordan, the famous English tenor, who makes his final appearance in New Zealand at this opera. “Carmen” will bo taken by Miss Mina Caldow, Micaela by Mrs J. F. Woodward, Zimiga by Mr Ernest Short, Mr Len Barnes the Eseamitto. The other roles will be sung by Messrs E. J. Hill and Edwin Dennis, and Mesdames Tunley and Burge. The box" plan opens at the Bristol on Tuesday morning at'9 o’clock, and it has keen decided by the management that no person will be allowed to book more than ten seats at any, oiie time. The performance will be under the conductorship of Mr H. Temple White with a chorus and orchestra of 300. A full rehearsal will be held ou Monday at St. John’s Schoolroom at 8 o’clock; for chorus only on Tuesday. “YPRES,” AT OPERA HOUSE MAGNIFICENT FILM ACHIEVEMENT FINAL SCREENING TO-DAY. “Ypres,” the magnificent film depicting the most most glorious sector of the Western front, will be screened at the Grand Opera House for the final occasion this evening.

“Ypres” is no merely a record of war—it is a' revelation of our'British fighting.,'spirit; 'of the humour, too, which made., unendurgblq things , en dured,..'and. Tightened ’moments that wore otherwise, stark tragedy. In “Ypres” the ‘ producers have had the privilege of access to all the official records, which enormously enhance the realism of tbo film. And yet, so cleverly is reconstruction interwoven with

reality that it is difficult to distinguish them on the screen. The prologue, a diggers’ concert entitled, “In- an Estaminet,” is in itself well worth seeing and hearing. It is a replica of one of the tough and ready but enjoyable entertainments that were continually taking place in the lines. The cast includes Messrs Barton Ginger, Rigby, Dieke-Bush, Rogers, Haddcrw. and Diggers, and. their programme must recall bright instances in those terrible days. Also there is a special orchestra ‘under the direction of Mr M. T. Dixon. Attention is directed to the special matinee which ’lull bo given this afternoon when reduced prices of admission will be charged. EMPRESS THEATRE “A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST.” The screen version of Gene Stratton Porter’s famous novel, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” is. the featured attraction which started yesterday at the Empress Theatre. The story of “A Girl of the Limberlost” is that of a young girl and her struggle for an : education in spite of the opposition of her mother and her distorted hatred of the child because of a consuming and misplaced love for an erring husband who met a terrible death on the night the baby girl was born. The love affair of the girl and the victory of her sweet and loving nature over the jealous opposition of her school companions is simply and interestingly told. .... ... • .- Gloria Grev is-.the Elnora Comstock of the story, a girl who rises above the, objections, scoldings and harsh treatment of her mother, and keeps steadfast to her desire to win an education. The role calls for a wide range of emotional work in all of which Bliss Grey is excellent. “A Woman of the World.” is the second attraction, in which Pola Negri has the ■ leading part. Pola as a ’• countess visits relatives in a country- town in the United States. Her worldly mannerisms arouse the. righteous indignation of the townsfolk and some of them attempt to force her to leave. However, the tables are turned when the leader succumbs to her charms and falls in love with her. - A good supporting programme and excellent music complete the bill. QUEEtfSTHEATRE DANCING AND~ PICTURES. Heading a particularly good hill at the Queen’s Theatre last- night was “The Road to Glory,” featuring May BlcAvoy, who showed that she is an accomplished equestrienne. Blay BlcAvoy, as Judith Allen, the beloved daughter of -the gruff, but kindly Jim - Allen, she has been raised in a fashion more suited to a.boy than a girl. Sho has been her father’s constant companion and lollowing His teaching, has a boyish code of sportsmanship and honour. She rides, drives a car, swims, golfs, aucl indulges in all tho healthy, out-of-door sports sho can find. But with all her athletic existence she is not mannish —far from it. She is entirely feminine, interested in all feminine things, her charm only heightened by her daring and boyishness. Miss McAvoy is supported by a particularly■ well chosen cast which includes Leslie Fenton. RoCkliff© Fellowes, Ford Sterling, Milla Davenport, and John MacSwceney. Howard Hawks, who directed the production for Fox Films, is also the author of the story from which the picture is adapted. A spectacular stago programme is also provided; Mr Joe Knowsley presenting the “Spanish Shawl Parade” a gorgeous ballet number in- which a considerable number of his pupils participate. Miss Margaret' O’Connor, Wellington’s' well-known' teacher of modern dancing, contributes, with her partner, two delightful dances, • 'waltz and tango. Miss Utia Smith, the popular oontralto, contributes two charming musical numbers, while other well-known' .Wellington dancers appearing are Miss Dorothy White and Mr Ted Pnrlett, Miss E. (.'aklwell,, Miss M. lioheba, and Miss Bushby.