AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16801, 14 November 1928, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

majes'iio theatre (Jildn. Gray in the United Avti

special pictui'o will commence at the Majestic to-night. Two outstanding features combine in placing "The Devil Dancer" among the special pictures of the yciir that should not be missed. The first is the famous dancing star; (he second is the novel and highly-intriguing setting. Gilda, Cray is one of the outstanding personalities of the American stage. Slii' i.s the high priestess of exotic Eastern dances and undisputed queen of the unreasonably hackneyed hulahula. Curiously enough, she is also a good actress. ' Tibet, the .setting of

•The. Devil Dancer.'" lias mystery in its very name. It is on© of the few countries that have not yet been examined under the searching light of world publicity, and, for that reason, there is a decided element of romantic conjecture as to the nature, customs and temperament of its people. Obviously. a story of Tibet with Gilda Gray as the central figure cannot fail to be interesting and highly entertaining. "The Devil Dancer" is both. Gilda Gray's dancing alone, provides a series of interludes, that no one ooujd fail to appreciate. The plot concerns the adventures of a young American explorer who pits his bruins and brawn against the evil "its of a host of villainous priests in an endeavor to rescue a white girl who has been established as n sort of priestess. A mysterious temple, in the interior of Tibet forms the background for many exciting sequences. Woven through the story is the Devil Dance I heme' and Gilda'Gray performs that strangely symbolic dance, in an atmosphere that is highly intriguing. The photography is magnificent, and every scene is both colorful and artistic. Supporting Hilda. Gray is a strong cast headed by Give Brook, whose performance as the rescuer ami lover of the •Devil Dancer is a masterly one. H« is one of the screen's best leading men of the strong, silent variety. The supporting pictures jinchnle. "Grandma's Child," comedy, latest Eve's Review, Aesop Falile, anil Australian travel scenic,

THE I'ALA Cl', Thrills, mystery and adventure on the high sea- all these, Pert Lyttel screendom's leading portrayer of gentlemen crook roles, brings to Die screen in "Alias the Tjciiic Wolf," his new Columbia picture, released by .Master Piclures, which opened at Dm Palace last night. Lytell has scored outstanding "hits" as Michael Lanyard, the "Lone Wolf,"' in two earlier screen versions of the exploits of Louis Joseph Vance's French underworld hem. In this latest tale he adds another notable characterisation to his previous successes. Many of the scenes of the picture, are laid on an ocean liner, with the "Lone Wolf pitted against a ring of international crooks in a, keenly exciting duel of wits. Cornered in a precarious situation, his expedient for extricating himself and the woman he loves from the sinister plotlings of the criminal gang furnishes a smashing climax. Lytell, as the suave, ever-vigilant hero, has a role that fits him to perfection. Lois Wilson gives a commendable portrayal of the heroine. Ned Sparks is convincing in his role of the villainous head of the crook organisation. Paulctte Duval offers a capable interpretation of an exotic adventuress. Few othey producers can claim the distinction of producing such wonderful pictures as I). W. Griffiths. He has to his credit "Intolerance," "Way Down blast,*' and "Broken Blossoms." Commencing at to-morrow's matinee his masterpiece, "One Exciting Night" will he presented. Carol UempStcr and an all-star rasl of players arc featured. OPERA HOUSE "The spirit, and beauts of rural Ellg land," writes a, critic, "has been perfectly captured in 'Sorroll and Son,' the "United Artists' production, which is opening at the- Opera House next Monday night. Based on the novel of the same liame, by Warwick Deeping, the'story of a father's love and sacrifice for "his son, and the sou's devotion to his father, is told with an utter absence of sentimentality, but with a. pathos that is very close to tears throughout. The return from the war of Captain Stephen Sorrell, only to Hud that his wife lias deserted him, and his bitter fight with life to provide his son with a gentleman's education, provides a main theme of deep tragedy, while the later scenes showing the romance of the adult Kit Sorrell provide, a wellbalanced relief. In addition to the main plot there, are many undercurrents of love, hate and passion, all of which are handled in a. masterly manner. The rustic beauty of the English countryside makes a picturesque and heautitul background, while the photography maintains a verv high artistic standard throughout. As the! father, 11. BWinner arts with depth of feeling, while Mis Esther gives a remarkable performance as the son, Kit, as a as a small boy is played by Mickey Mcl'.an. a most promising juvenile. The others in the cast include Anna Q. Xilsson as Dora Sorrell. Carmcl Myers as Florence Palfrey, Norman Trevor as Thomas Poland, Alice Joyce as Fanny Garland, Mary Nolan as Molly Roland, and Louis Wolheim as Sergeant Buck.