ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

TWO STIRRING DRAMAS. AT THE CIVIC TO-NIGHT. The programme listed for screening ai the Municipal Theatre to-night promises to be more attractive than ever. Another popular and widely read fitory in John Fox Jr.’s “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” will be presented by Paramount with two equally well-known and popular stars — Mary Miles Minter and Antonio Mcreno—in the leading roles. Here’s the greatest story of the mountain country ever screened. All the thrills, the heart-throbs, the pictorial beauty of all other mountain stories packed into one. The story deals with a family feud in the Cumberland mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. Mlss Minter is seen as June Tolliver, a sprightly mountain girl, who meets and loves John Hale, a coal mining engineer and head of a local law and order organisation. He sends June to school, and within two years she is educated and civilised as it were. On her return home her uncle kills a policeman, and Hale is obliged to arrest him for murder. Then the feud breaks out afresh, and dramatic incidents follow. There are many thrills in the subsequent scenes, all of which contribute to make this picture one of the most entertaining seen here during the current season. Ernest Torrence, whose name has recently become very familiar to keen followers cf film news by reason of his wonderful work in “The Covered Waggon,” also has a fine character role in this one. The other attraction “The Streets of New York,” a melodramatic story wherein is blended humour and pathos, comedy and tragedy, mystery, action and romance—in fact it is chock full of all those factors which go to making an outstanding film success. Barbara Castleton and Edward Earle have the principal roles. Both are delightful. Buddy Messenger, the fat boy comedian, also appears on this bill in the comedy “Buddy at Bat.” This is ideal film fare, and should attract an overflow house to the Municipal Theatre to-night. Plans are at the Bristol. CIVIC MATINEE TO-DAY. The matinee programmes at the Civic are always worth seeing. , They contain quite a large proportion of interesting and exciting items, while the comedy element is never overlooked. At to-day’s matinee the principal attractions will be the latest Universal drama “The Streets of New York,” a new instalment of Robinson Crusoe’s adventures, which are getting really exciting and a two reel comedy “Buddy at Bat,” featuring Buddy Messenger, the fat boy comedian. Buddy is without doubt one of the best juvenile funmakers on the screen. His work is full of promise. The semi-final section of the map of Crusoe’s island will also be distributed to-day. The gold watch competition is fast drawing to a close. ALBION THEATRE. COMPLETE CHANGE PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT. Two of the most attractive features that have graced any screen have been secured as the fare for patrons at the comfortable Albion to-night headed by the Fox Drury Lane melodrama, “A Fox There Was.” The caste, which is a massive one, includes Estelle Taylor, Lewis Stone, Irene Rich,

Muriel Dana, Marjorie Daw, Mohlon Hamilton, William Mong and others of lesser ability. Called a screen sensation by millions of theatre-goers in London, Paris, Sydney, and Melbourne, the plot is a true story of the moth and the flame in which the man—not the woman—pays. The I story of a woman, who lived to love and ; a fool who loved and died. It is the j reverse story of the poor, silly and helpless ! girl, who is ensnared by a wicked man. It • is the drama of the male fool who is ; tricked, hypnotised, trapped and cleaned up by a designing, cold-blooded siren for whom i he sacrifices business, family and honour. • Miss Vera James, the Dunedin movie star, gives a fine performance in the Australian ' production, “Know Thy Child.” Her first ; appearance is as the fresh unspoiled country ■ girl about seventeen years old, then as a j ' woman of twenty-five, and later at the age ; of forty or thereabouts. In each age, she portrays the part with restraint and dramatic skill. “Know Thy Child” is a strong I drama, which will grip all who see it, and send them home thinking. Comedies, interests complete the programme. “ROBIN HOOD” MATINEE, 2 P.M. In deference to the wishes of parents and guardians, the Albion management have made arrangements for “Robin Hood” : to be screened at the matinee at 2 p.m. to- ; day. Pages could be written on this great ' picture, and even then justice would not • be done it, as it must be seen to fully i realise its greatness. It is honed that parents will take this last opportunity and send the children along to see a play they will never forget. Children will be admitted for 3d. ODIVA AND HER SEALS. In presenting Odiva and her seals, Captain Adams claims to have one of the most wonderful animal acts in the world, and if newspaper reports are anything to bo by it certainly is a wonderful act. This act, which is to make its appearance at the Municipal Theatre on Monday next for a season of four nights and two matinees, has just completed a phenominally successful season at the Opera House, Auckland, H.M. Theatre, Willington, Princess Theatre, Dunedin, and Opera House, Christchurch, where it played to capacity business . The huge glass fronted water tank in which the seals are seen disporting is a masterpiece itself, but transcending the wonderful setting is the reasoning power displayed by the seals, who obey all commands accurately, and without hesitation, and go through their evolutions with a grace that is only equalled by Odiva, that talented and artistic swimmer herself. Supporting the seals will be seen a Complete company of high class i audeville stars, including the ever-popular Jubilee Singers, harmonisers of plantation melodies; Claude de Car, the acrobatic waiter; the Hilo Duo of Hawaiian musicians; Eric Harrison, entertainer; and Verna Bain, the famous Australian dancer. The box plan is now open at The Bristol, and intending patrons are advised to book their seats. Special matinees will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at 3.15 p.m.