AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16869, 5 February 1929, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ''The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands" proved a great success at the Majestic Theatre, last night. The picture will be presented again to-night and to-morrow night, with a special matineo at. 2 p.m. to-morrow. It is a picture for the new generation, for it is no mere adventure story, but an epic uf the days when Britain fought to retain mastery of the seas. The Rattle of Coronel, resulting in the total loss of the Good Hope and .Monmouth, was fought off .the Chilean coast. The Invincible and the Inflexible were immediately detached from the Grand Fleet, hurriedly refitted at Devonport, and, under Vice-Admiral Sturdce, sailed secretly for the Falkland Islands. Other ships were picked up off the Brazilian coast, and "the squadron reached the Falkland Islands on December 7, only a few hours in advance of Admiral von Spec. Before, nightfall on December 8, the whole German squadron, with the exception of the Dresden, was at the bet torn of the sea. One of the most beautiful and certainly the finest pictorial representation of the homes of our British Kings and Queens is depicted in "The Homes of George V," to be presented on the supporting programme.

-Mill !e. Michel!., appearing fur the first time in Gisborne last evening, thrill cd I lie large gathering with her exhibition on the trapeze and rings. All her work Mas performed at the greatest height permitted by the curtain, and the absence of a net or mattress added an extra spice, of daring, which considerably heightened the whole thrill of the net. Mdilo. Michel] displayed remarkable versatility in running through a, lengthy turn at a fast pace, which could have been possible only to an athlete, trained to tha minute. Time and again the dainty trapeziste flung herself out at the audience, only to mako a toe or heel catch at the moment when it seemed all too late. Her finale was particularly thrilling. Putting a noose, round her neck and holding herself there by muscle pressure alone with the nape of her neck, she was hauled to curtain height anCT there she spun at a thrilling rate for a lengthy period. THE PALACE. "The Desert Woman," starring Irene Rich, which is screening to-night at the Palace,, is a desert- romance. It is a melodrama of desert hates and loves, ■lilt the story is lightened by the soldiers of the Indian Outpost. "The Desert Woman" portrays the soul conflict of a beautiful woman suddenly taken from the gay world of London society to bruf.alisirig contact: with a masterful husband who is commandant of an outpost in India. "When she is nearly heside herself with loneliness along comes a young lieutenant and makes love to her. Her husbnd, seeing the interest, makes a point of always giving him the most dangerous duties. So one day she begs of the lieutenant to leave during her husband's absence. The lieutenant says he will if she accompanies him; picturing all the gaieties of life in Jx>ndon again she decides to go. They are overtaken by a terrific sandstorm, which brings them both to their senses, and realising their mistake, they decide to return to the fort.. On their return the young lieutenant kills another man in defence of the lady's honor. The picture becomes most exciting from here on and how he is eventually freed makes the climax most thrilling. "The. Life ot Verdi.'" the famous composer of music. will also ho screened.' j OPERA HOUSE Tho principal players in Clarence Brown's photoplay, "The Trail of '913," which will commence screening at the Opera, House next Monday are Ralph Forbes, Delores Del Rio. Karl Dane, Tully Mai'sball, George Cooper, Tenen lloltz, Harry Carey, Emily Fitzroy, Polly Moran, Russell Simpson, and Cesare Gravina. In addition, to these principal playeis, there are 24 players in minor roles and. 15,000 extras. The story tells how in the summer of 1897, .lack Locosto and other miners arrive in San Francisco with news of a gold strike in the Klondike. The news flashes around the world and soon hundreds are seen embarking by every available boat bound for Alaska and it's gold. Among I hem is Larry, a young man, fall of hope and determination, who stows away on the City of Topeka. On the boat ho meets a beautiful girl, Berna, who is accompanying her aged grandfather and her relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Bnlkey, who plan to open a store for the miners at Dawson City. Oil Die trip out. Berna's grandfather' dies, and although this event quickens the attachment of Berna and Larry, Jack Locasfo, enamoured of Berna. takes advantage oi' the opportunity to sympathise with the Bu-lkeys, and "promises to help them when they reach -Dawson City Arrived at. Alaska, Berna. refuses aid from Locasto to travel the 600 miles to tho goldlields, and promises to marry Larry when he strikes it. However, the first year Larry and (he three partners he has palled up with do no good. Later there is news of a new strike along the Yukon River, which rekindles the hopes of hundreds. Larry among them. When he reaches Dawson again, flushed with victory, harry is filled with consternation to find Berna- dancing in the Monte Carlo saloon. She spurns his gold, and tells him everything is too late. Subsequently Dawson City is burned down, but Berna rescues Garry and they rebuild their lives—as the city is rebuilt—on the aslies of the past.