ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19659, 9 October 1922, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE That great character actor, Henry B. Walthall, of “Birth of a Nation” fame, has yet another triumph in “Flower of the North,” from the James Oliver Curwood story at the Albion to-night for the last time. Henry Walthall appears as Phillip Whittemore, a yoifng man from the South, who comes into the heart of a forest land i as yet untouched by the inroads of civilisa- • tion. The wonders of the country’ impress j him vividly. Before long he heads a constructive movement wherein the right of way to build a road is of greatest importance. Decades past, enraptured by the silence and beauty of it all, French chevaliers had built a residence in the heart of the forest. The girl, Jeanne, is a descendent of these chevalier .s Fate so weaves its threads that Whittemore, at first fighting only for his business interests, makes common cause with the friends of Jeanne and goes out to win the girl, just on the brink of womanhood, in which love and the tortures of doubt develop an unfathomable depth of tenderness. The first feature of the evening presents Evelyn Greeley in a comedy drama that’s'entirely different, named “Phil For Short.” As an attractive feature, is has few rivals. Topicals and the latest review complete this fine programme. “GREATER THAN LOVE” The outstanding feature of “Greater Than Love” is its message. Like a beacon-light

shining into nd exposing the recesses of sham, deceit and evil, the Faith of the Mother in the play transcends all loves — the love of self, the love of dross and the love of love. For the “miracle” that regenerates in “Greater Than Love” is Faith, the Faith of a simple, wise, old lady who has experienced and emerged from the travail of the desires of the flesh and whose creed is belief in the inherent and enduring goodness of all. “Greater Than Love” has been secured for the Albion for Tues day, Wednesday, ahd Thursday. CIVIC PICTURES “The Sheik” has come —and conquered. All sections of taste and opinion were represented in the overflowing audiences which greeted both screenings on Saturday, and it is safe to say that more satisfied and delighted gatherings never left the Municipal Theatre. A few liberties have been taken with the sensational story by Edith M. Hull, on which the picture is based, but the effect has been to greatly enhance the entertainment value. Many of the scenes are magnificent in the Oriental splendour they reveal, and the whole film lifts the spectator out of his surroundings, and transports him to the land of bright sunshine and Eastern customs and beliefs. The story is, interpreted by a cast which could scarcely have been improved upon. Rodolph Valentino—a man’s man, and a woman’s ideal—in the title role is a revelation. He has strength of character, mentally and physically’, and both are displayed to advantage lor the almost brute force and strength indicated in the earlier scenes is thrown against a background of tenderness in a never-to-be-forgotten finale. Valentino is passionate and seeks corresponding emotions. He gives a wonderful characterisation as “The Sheik,” forceful, magnetic and autocratic, who, knowing no law and no master, abducts the beautiful Lady Diana, and carries her off into the desert. No finer actress could be found for the role of Lady Diana than Miss Agnes Ayres, whose beauty and emotional power do not need to be stressed. As the self-opinionated, headstrong, wilful girl, she is superb, and whether wearing the latest Parisian confections or the garb of the desert traveller, she is always piquant and charming. The story is pervaded by tense dramatic moments, noteworthy amongst them being the attack on the stronghold of Omair, the bandit, when the Sheik and his tribesmen rescue the fair Lady Diana from the clutches of the bandit; the fighting is most realistic and thrilling. The supporting picture “Stop Thief” featuring Tom Moore, is a most laughable story of complications which follow an attempt on the part of a young couple to get rich quick. This picture is a scream, and provides that balance necessary to make the programme perfect. The booking for to-night is already heavy so intending patrons are advised to pay an early visit to the Bristol or telephone No. 380 to secure reserves. GRAND PRINCESS FETE. Although there have been a good many fetes and carnivals held in Invercargill during the last few months, the Grand Princess Fete, at present being held in the Victoria Hall, is meeting with an unusual amount of support. The hall was filled to overflowing again on Saturday evening and there is no gainsaying the fact that the carnival is increasing in popularity as it goes on. The crowd grows in numbers each evening, and the amount of business being done and the manner in which the interest is being maintained, must be very gratifying to the promoters. Great interest is also being taken in the election of Princess and after each session a change is noticeable in the positions of candidates. It is safe to say that the keenest contest for the premier position will be maintained right up to the closing night of the fete. The programmes given each evening, and the competitions and side-shows, form an attractive feature of the show. lOn Saturday evening the little girls, Ina Fraser, Ina Ward and the twin Christies delighted the audience with their songs, dancing and recitations. The following are the prize-winners:— S. Staunton; Bry an Gillespie; Miss D. Emery; Annie Padget; Mrs F. Fraser; Mrs O’Byrne; C. W. Matheson; V. Baty; Molly' O’Connor; “What Hopes’’; Isabel Rattray; Miss Thomson ; Miss Edna Waterston ; P. Brogan; Maggie Forde; Nora Pasco; K. Stapleton; L. Kilgour; Mary Fraser; G. Gilfedder; Jim Searle; Jim Lopai; P. C. Stokes; M. Lister; Eileen Collins; Mrs Nevin; Gus Kilby; Dean Burke; Norman Nisbet; Mias Dunlop; Neville Scully; Rose Loughnan; Joyce Riddell.