ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12527, 17 August 1926, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

KING’S THEATRE

“THE GREAT DIVIDE.’! “The Great Divide,” a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer production, now showing at the King’s Theatre, tells a story which should have a particular appeal to women, for it is the tale of a girl who, after years of conventional living in a prim New England village, is suddenly tlirust upon a life with a man of the open which is so strange to her that she is baffled completely and unable to grasp the threads of her new office. The leading roles aye played by Alice Terry and Conway Tearle, and the cast includes Huntlv Gordon, Wallace Beery, ZaSu Pitts and George Cooper. The programme includes pictures of the Byrd Polar Expedition, a New Zealand scenic dealing with the gannets of Cape Kidnappers, and a comedy. There is excellent incidental music. “HER DANCING PARTNER” A UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENT. Accredited with being one of the fastest, most flippant and gorgeously enacted romances of society yet screened, “Her Dancing Partner,” a special production which opens next Friday atthe King’s Theatre, strikes an entirely new note in picture production. In its subtle directorial touches, its brilliant array of new screen faces and figures, its unique theme and forceful action, “Her Dancing Partner” reveals the touch of a master hand. It takes one into tho exclusive social circles of Paris where none hut the favoured may enter —it moves swiftly to the Continent, to the beautiful pleasure resorts patronised by those of wealth and influence, and culminates in a climax that for drama and expression is unequalled. The principal artists are Maria Corda (the central figure of the sensational triumph, “Moon of Israel,” soon to be seen in New Zealand), Willy Fritsch, Levio Pavanelli, and many other Continental artists of distinction, who, although practically unknown in Australasia thus far, are as internationally famous as the leading screen artists of Ame rica. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “OLD LOVES AND NEW.” “The D&sert Healer.” picturised under the title of “Old Loves and New,” the well-known novel by Edith M. Hull, who is also author of “The Sheik,” is the current attraction at the Paramount Theatre. It starts by telling the familiar story of a man who is disillusioned by an unfaithful wife, hut who lives to find a new and better romance. In this instance the second matrimonial venture is with the widow of a man who wrecked his first matrimonial venture. Lewis Stone is excellent as the husband, and Katherine McDonald, as the straying wife, celebrates her return to the screen with some real acting. Walter Pidgeon, a comparatively newcomer, gives a fine performance as the philanderer, while Barbara Bedford is the heroine. There is suspense, plenty of characterisation. notably that given by Tnlly Marshall, and heaps of romance. Like the “Sheik,” much of the action takes place on the desert, but the hero in this instance is of an entirely different type. The excellent supporting bill includes a Gazette, a Scenic, a Review and a “Felix the Cat” Cartoon. The incidental music of Mr A. R. Caulton and his orchestra, is a feature of the show. “THE AMERICAN^VENUS” AT DE LUXE ON FRIDAY A comedy with a decidedly original theme is “The American Venus,” which commences screening at the De Luxe Theatie on Friday next, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30. It was produced by Paramount and directed by Frank Tuttle. The cast is noteworthy in that it includes seven of the prize-winning girls in the great Atlantio City beauty pageant of last year, and Fay Lanphier, who won the contest, and incidentally the title of “Miss America.” The leading masculine roles are played by Ford Sterling and Lawrence Gray, while Esther Ralston has the chief feminine part. Some of the most spectacular scenes in the film were photographed ’in natural colours, and are said to be remarkably beautiful and striking. The story is most interesting and is full of amusing situations. Hundreds of beautiful girls appear, and this wondrous array of youth, beauty, and taler.t, is further enhanced by the most lavish and luxurious costumes, sets and scenic effects, being the finest ever seen on any screen. The high point of spectacular display in the picture is the sumptuous fashion show, and artistic tableauxing, which were also filmed in colour. “The American Venus” is a picture that will not only charm but will fascinate :;s well. An additional attraction is the Charleston Ballet, composed of 10 of Wellington’s prettiest girls. The prologue has been arranged by Miss Phyllis Bates, who, with her partner, will also appear. Tho musical programme will also be of the highest standard. The box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Clo., Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre, ’phone 23-080., EMPRESSTHEATRE THE RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH EXCLUSIVE FILM. The modern prototypes of the famous three musketeers glorified in fiction by Alexandre Dumas appear in Irvin Willat’s spectacular western production, “The Enchanted Hill,” now at the Empress Theatre. It is a screen version of the widely-read novel by Peter B. Kyne. Jack Holt, Richard Arlen and Ray Thompson compose the trio of twentieth century musketeers, who, with airplanes and machine-guns, prove themselves just as gallant and reckless and brave as their distinguished predecessors. Florence Vidor and Mary Brian are the leading women in the piece. In the second feature, “The Verdict,” Phil Goldstono, the Hollywood film producer, has given a bold argument for the abolition of circumstantial evidence in criminal charges. It is a dramatic episode, and features such splendid character actors as Lou Tellegen, Elliott Dexter, and others; while in Louise Lorraine and Gertrude Astor are two utterly different types of actresses whose work is excellent. There is a Patlie Gazette, showing among other items of topical interest the Test match at Nottingham. An added attraction will be a film, exclusive to the Empress Theatre, depicting the Rianfurly Shield match which was played at Nauier last Saturday between the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay teams. Tho film is of interest to everyone, and is bound to attract, largo audiences. Mr M. Dixon’s orchestra supplies tuneful music. |

tiic3tii!]iH!mniini!i!iiiicaifiiiiiiiiiicaiiiiiiiiiiiic3iiiiiuiiHicaiiinniiiiEcaTi] J. C. WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE OPERA HOUSE MONDAY. The latest company of international stars from the J. C. Williamson theatres in Sydney and Melbourne will commence a short season at the Grand Opera House next Saturday, August 21st. To picture a score or so of wonderful dogs, dressed as navvies, working on the front of a building in the course o-f erection, carrying cement and bricks, scrambling up ladders and along scaffolding, all intent on doing their job, without any apparent stage direction from their trainer, is to but faintly realise the amazing performance of Leonard Gautier’s Bricklayers, more fittingly described as the world’s wonder dog actors. Their playlet, “The Bricklayers of Dogville,” introduces the most remarkable team of trained dogs ever seen. Hardly less in importance in this splendid company is Mantell’s Manikins, a novel miniature production. entitled “Da Petit Cabaret,” in which sixty star performers, including dancers, acrobats, clowns, and bullfighters vie . with each other. Two dainty English. girls, Katrina and Joan, from the London Colosseum, present a charming series of classic and modern dances. Vivacious Marie Moore will charm with her smaxt American songs at the piano, while Elroy, of the graceful limbs, will amaze with her acrobatic gyrations on a huge luminous sphere. A brilliant French pianist, Dechelette, and Maxim Brodi, a Russian tenor, combine in a vocal act. Imito will present his gifts of mimicry in a banutiful woodland setting, wherein his imitations deceive even the real birds that accompany his act. A finalist in the reoent “Miss Australia” beauty contest, held in Sydney, Miss Peggy Mouat, one of Aus tralia’s most beautiful girls, dances the Charleston. Another star is Van Dock, the wonderful Italian cartoonist. The box plans will open at the Bristol next Thursday morning, at 9 o’clock. “A BILL BY NATIONAL REPERTORY SOCIETY. What is described as “one of the outstanding plays of the century,” “A Bill of Divorcement,” by demenoe Dane, is to be produced by the National Repertory Theatre Society (incorporated),"under the direction of Mr Leo du Chateau, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday next, for the first time in New Zealand. With “A Bill of Divorcement” Miss Clemenoe Dane gained a fame which she failed to establish with “Will Shakespeare.” “A Bill of Divorcement” is a fine play upon a theme which appeals to everybody, and it is a good example of a propagandist play that has no propaganda in it. To have been didactic would have been to ruin the play, and to have altogether avoided being didactic is a fine tribute to Miss Dane’s literary powers as well as to her sense of the fitness of things. The play as a human document is both strong and original, and it is claimed that it will afford the society a medium for expressing the capabilities of its actors and producer that will be long remembered. The cast will include Mrs John Hannah, Miss Molly Plimmer, Mrs Irene Mason, Mrs G. E. Hunter, and Messrs W. S. Wauchop, Frank Burden, P. B. Broad, Todd McCaw, and C. S. Grear. The box plans for tho three performances are now available at the Bristol, and with the experience of the previous production, “Pygmalion/’ in mind, prudent patrons will doubtless make their reservations in good time. BACKHAUS TO-NIGHT’S UjNCERT. The first of the three recitals which Backhaus, the world-famed pianist, will give in the Town Hall takes place to-night, the second recital to-morrow night, and the final on Friday, under the direction of Mr E. J. Gravestock. To-night’s programme is the same as the one he gave at his first concert in Australia, which created such an astounding sensation in Sydney. It contains some of the finest masterpieces in piano literature. A Sydney critic reviewing this programme says:—“For sheer sensuous delight the art of William Backhaus has not been excelled by any pianist who has oome to Sydney in this decade, at any rate. Music under his fingerß is woven into an atmosphere of warmth and colour, ethereal yet passionate, that beats and surges upon the emotions. The frenzy of applause that greeted the final of Beethoven’s “Sonata Appassionata” at the Town Hall on Saturday night was ae much the relief of these surcharged feelings as the intellectual understanding of a great composition. The grandeur, the majestic tone of the last allegro of that tremendous outburst are beyond words. Next came a group that started with Schumann’s “In the Evening,” as delicate as wistaria under the moon. This was followed by three short compositions of the Fantasy pieces from the spontaneous pen of the tenderest writer of them all. Then came an arrangement of the scherzo from Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by Australian Ernest Hutcheson. The Brahms variations on a theme by Paganini was still a further manifestation by Backhaus of his powers. From the crash and scintillation of these amazingly difficult variations the pianist passed to a Chopin group that included the beloved “Polonaise in A Flat.” Schumann, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff were the composers offered as encores. There are old music-lovers who treasure memories of Paderewski. They will find in Backhaus one who will revive those memories as no other player could.” Lady Fergusson and suite will attend to-night’s concert. Tho box plans are at the Bristol, and the day sales at the Grand Opera House Confectionery. A different programme will be given to-morrow night. imSTDELUXE “HAVOC,” A GRIPPING PLAY. “Havoc,” the picture now showing at the Theatre De Luxe, is the story of the havoc wrought by a woman without a soul. It depicts the social life of London under the stress of war. There are scenes in the night clubs and homes of the British capital, showing the beautiful vampiro winning the hearts of the gallant men who were defending their country’s honour. Part of the drama is enacted on tho front in France. By his fiUe restraint in staging the battle scenes, Mr Lee (the director) has achieved realism nothing short of remarkable. George O’Brien, the youthful Fox star, plays the lead of Dick Chnppel. Madgo Bellamy and Margaret Livingston aro cast in tho two chief feminine roles of “Tessio Dunton” and

“Violet Deering” respectively. Miss Bellamy’s beauty ana artistry are well known and both are called into use in her role in “Havoc.” Miss Livingston’s role is that of a selfish, cold society girl and in this type of part she has done some remarkable work in the past. Appropriate music is provided by the De Luxe orchestra, under the conductorship of Miss Bryers. “WITHIN THE LAW” MISS MURIEL STARR’S PRODUCTION. Undoubtedly one of the most powerful dramas of recent years, and one that never fails to grip the interest of the audience by reason of its cleverly woven story, and its enthralling plot, is Bayard Veiller’s play, “Within the Law,” which will be presented by Miss Muriel Starr and her company at the Grand Opera House on Thursday next as a special farewell performance. It was in this drama that Miss Starr first won her place in the theatrical firmament of the mainland. Her interpretation of the role of Mary Turner stamped her as an artiste in the front rank of her profession, and on several occasions she has repeated the play under the banner of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., drama always commanding a wonderful popularity with her many admirers. The plot is well known to most theatre-goers, being the most powerful exposition of the New York police methods that has even been written for the stage. Thursday night will be Miss Starr’s last night of her season here, and we may safely predict the record house of the season to bid farewell to this most popular artiste. The pfons are now open at the Bristol.