ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19757, 3 February 1923, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. “If I Were King” and “The Man Unconquerable” are the two super-pictures heading the current programme at the Civic, and first class productions they both are. “If I Were King,” which is based on Justin Huntly McCarthy’s famous novel and play of the same name features that very sterling screen actor William Farnum (Francois Villon), the irrepressible mountebank, whose cheerfulness and boisterousness, instead of being objectionable makes him a favourate with all. Audacity, if accompanied by a delightful personality appears as an invaluable asset, and thus it proves iwth Farnum, whose outstanding work is responsible for a very great deal of the picture’s success. “If I Were King” has everything to recommend it. . The narrative is interestingly told, has a most efficient cast jn its interpretation, and the work of the producer stands out in perfect harmony with the surroundings. Whilst a strong element of tragedy prevails, there is no paucity of humour. The two elements are happily merged, and the joint effect is very pleasing indeed. This film should please all classes of audiences and certainly found favour with the crowd last night. The debonair Jack Holt is seen as a pearl trader in a fast-moving story of the South Seas, entitled “The Man Unconquerable.” Jack is all that, and he demonstrates it by breaking up a poaching gang, capturing a murderer, and winning a fair lady, played capably by Sylvia Breamer. The film is set on an island in the China Sea, and there are many glimpses of life in an Asiatic pearl fishing village. Not once does the action lag, for there are several fights, and a sinking of a pearling boat—a good boat at that. Holt, always a most interesting actor to follow, has a part that suits him right down to the ground. The suspense is well maintained until clqse to the finish, when the climax introduces quite an added amount of excitement. This programme by its variety and quality will find favour with local audiences and maximum attendances should be the order each night. Seats for to-night may be reserved at Mrs Gawa’s fruit shop, Tay street (next H. and J. Smith) or by ringing N0.,380. MATINEE. A trip to the South Sea island will be taken by all who attend the matinee at the Municipal Theatre this afternoon when the principal feature will be “The Man Unconquerable,” a Paramount picture with Jack Holt in the principal role. This young man has many exciting adventures and stirring fights proving his worth among those who would rob the pearl fisheries and frustrating their plans. The adventures of “The King of the Circus,” are carried on another exciting stage and interest is now running high. A Mack Sennett comedy is also on the bill. ALBION THEATRE. Last night’s large audience at the Albion seemed to thoroughly enjoy the new change of programme. The management! has secured a happy blend of good" dram a, high class comedy drama, and dashing farce comedy. Homely “Bill” Rogers offers us as his latest picture for Goldwyn “The Guile of Women.” In this picture Rogers has one of the best roles,of his career as “Yal” a Swedish sailor who has come to America to make his fortune and who trusts his first savings to the keeping of a woman and loses it. He had placed his trust in women and when this one failed him he distrusted the wrong one, the one who was faithful to him. The story is one of the best comedies of the year, and the supporting cast includes Doris Hawn and Lionel Belmore. “Snowblind,” Starring Pauline Starke, Russell Simpson and Cullen Landis, registers a new triump for screen drama. “Snowblind” is a dramatic epic of the great Northwest in which the central figure is a young actress, member of a tr%ipe stranded in the snow country, who wanders off alone and loses the trail. Blinded by the unbearable flaming glare reflected in agonising flashes from the snow, she falls, helpless, into .a drift, and after a night of horror is rescued by a giant of a man with a twisted, scarred face. Then begins as strange and stirring a drama as the camera has ever recorded. In a little cabin hidden from the world by a ring of towering mounlove is born and two men and two women come to the turning points of their lives. The management wishes it known that seats may be reserved by telephoning the Albion. Day sales obtainable of Mrs Dun(next the Bristol). SPECIAL COMEDY MATINEE 2 P.M. Fun and frolic will predominate at the Albion matinee this afternoon when in addition to the all-star drama of the frozen north entitled “Snowblind,” there will be shown two comedies: one by the celebrated Christie Comedy Company named ‘A Rambling Hero.” and the other by James Audrey with the title of “Tenderfoot Luck.” The sensation of the afternoon is provided by “Fantomas,” the master criminal, in his latest daring stunts. MARK TWAIN’S “A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR’S COURT.” When the Fox Film Company produced a pictorial version of “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” it was made a condition that the executors of Mark Twain should approve it before it was shown to the public, and that, failing such approval, the whole thing should be destroyed, says a recent number of the London Times Weekly. When the film was complete, the executors declared that had the author himself been alive he would have wished that it should be produced in exactly the way adopted. It was high praise, but the praise was entirely justified. Certainly few better comedy films have ever come

to this country from the United States, a circumstance which is all the. more striking because the whole background of the Court of King Arthur had to be built up without the natural advantages that a medieval castle in rural England would have afforded, but throughout the illusion is excellent. It is difficult to believe that this is a lathand plaster building. The acting, too, is admirable, and the Mark Twain atmosphere is maintained from first to last. Many of the sub-titles sparkle with wit, and where liberties have been taken with the original story they have been only such as are necessary to bring it up to date. The season will commence at the Albion on Tuesday for three nights.. The box plans are at the Bristol.