ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19157, 29 January 1924, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE LURE OF EGYPT" AND “OUT OF THE DUST.”

Two delightfully entertaining features will grace the screen of the comfortable Albion to-morrow night (Wednesday). “The Lure of Egypt” pictures the mystery, romance and adventure surrounding the discovery of Akhnaton’s tomb, as told by Norma Lorimer in her novel. “There Was a King in Egypt.” It shows how the spirit of the Christlike king came back to guide and comfort the workers, a phenomena based on actual happenings during the excavation work. The caste includes Claire Adams, Robert McKim, Joseph Dowling, Maude Wayne and Carl Gantvoort in the leading roles. Howard Hickman directed the picture, the production of which is enhanced artistically by the beautiful sub-title paintings of Ferdinand Pinney Earle. The first motion picture which has ever been attempted as the visualisation of a great painter’s work is “Out of the Dust,” which was made by John P. McCarthy and is on the paintings of Frederic Remington. The motion picture industry is agog over this departure and a great treat is expected when it comes to this city. The picture is not only reminiscent of the frontier days which Remington knew so well but is decidedly different from any of the so-called “western pictures” with which the movie public is familiar. It carries through an intense domestic drama and at the same time seems to be sort of an animated painting in six parts. ALBION THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF “BOHEMIAN GIRL.” It is with regret the management of the Albion have to announce the last screening of “The Bohemian Girl” to-night at 8.45 p.m. The screen version of a world-famous opera is a unique feature in picture production and calls for discriminating treatment and a caste of high order. England comes forward with ‘The Bohemian Girl,” a production which all Britishers may be proud to claim. The settings'are particularly fine, especially the woodland scenes for the Gipsy incidents, the old feudal castle (a real live castle, and not a “set”), and the picturisation of the vision “I dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.” The well-known songs of the opera are neatly turned into titles and carry out the atmosphere. The piece de resistance is the castle. Every player is one of London’s leading actors, Gladys Cooper, Ellen Terry, Constance Collier, Ivor Novello, C. Aubrey Smith, and Maurice Vibart. A ’guarantee of excellent entertainment, fine acting, beautiful scenes and a romantic atmosphere goes with “The Bohemian Girl.” Mr “Buddy” Wills will play the beautiful solo “When Other Lips” and the Albion orchestra will play the musical score. The first half of the programme is taken up by the Canadian woods outdoor feature

“Flames of Passion.” This picture is. supplemented by two merry comedies making 4000 ft of laughter. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion (738).

POLI NEGRI IN “BELLA DONNA.” FINAL SCREENING TO-NIGHT. “Bella Donna” might properly be described as the “breath-taking picture of the season.” It is a story that reveals a tremendously interesting and alluring woman. In the centre of all this colour and emotional appeal is Pola Negri. This remarkable European star has already won a powerful following in this country engendered by her sensational entry into American film circles and more recently through her reported engagement to Charles Chaplin. In “Bella Donna” her unique qualifications have full scope. The story is rather strong for juvenile consumption and on this account bears the censor’s recommendation as being more suitable for adult audiences. It is the story of a fascinating adventuress who marries an Englishman and goes with him to Egypt. There she comes under the influence of an Arab chief, and plots the death of her husband by slow poisoning. The plot is frustrated, and the woman is cast upon the hands of her Egyptian wooer, who, in turn, spurns her and leaves her to walk across the desert to oblivion. Virile William Desmond is also on this programme in “Shadows of the North.” HOLLYWOOD AS IT REALLY IS. SHOWN IN “SOULS FOR SALE.” In the quest for the best in film entertainment to place before the public of Invercargill the management of the Civic Pictures has explored all the available channels cf film supply with the result that in recent months there has been presented at this popular house a wonderful attractive array of pictures. The series is not by any means at an end yet. In proof, Mr McKeever announces to-day that he has succeeded in securing for screening to-morrow, a picture that will surpass even the most outstanding of the recent offerings. This picture, based on Rupert Hughes’ widelyread story “Souls For Sale,” is quite different from anything that has gone before. Into a story that in itself stands head and shoulders above the ordinary range of film stories, Mr Hughes have moved the atmosphere and surroundings of a motion picture studio. He has taken the case of a girl anxious to break into the movies and around her personality has evolved a series of incidents such as many screen favourites of to-day have actually encountered during the years when they were struggling for recognition. Rupert Hughes has had his ups and down —mostly “ups”—since he has gone into the motion picture business. In “Souls For Sale” which he originally wrote as a serial novel, and directed, cut and titled for the screen, he had done a distinctly original thipg. He has taken Hollywood and carved it and served it up smoking hot. A feature that will impress cinema patrons is the exposition it affords of the inside of motion picture making. In it motion picture folk are represented as having the same ideals, aspirations, and healthy outlooks on life that any normal human being might have, and there is a good story with plenty of action and excellent comedy. In short, “Souls For Sale,” promises to be the most novel and enjoyable evening entertainment yet presented at the Civic. Bull Montana will also be featured on the programme in the three-reel comedy “A Ladies’ Man.” Plans are at The Bristol.