ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19278, 24 June 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF RACING PICTURE, "LONG ODDS,” AND "THE FOOLISH AGE.” Sporting enthusiasts braved the elements last night to see the bright and breezy programme now.screening, which is headed by the racing play, “Long Odds,” the best story of the turf England has ever given us. It is the sight of a lifetime to see a thrilling steeplechase, the audience being roused to a pitch of excitement seldom, if ever, seen off a racecourse. They’re off— Beauty’s leading. The open ditch—good heavens, he’s down. Look, somebody’s up on Beauty. Good God, it’s Jim. He’s mad, he’ll kill the horsee, too. Come on, Jim, win Jim, I love you. The gallant mare, Beauty, dashes past the post a nose in front. As the above picture screens finally to-night, all people with red blood in their veins should take this last opportunity. The first half of the programme is taken up by the Doris May picture, "The Foolish Age,” in which Doris May makes her bow as a full-fledged star, will have its final presentation at 7.30 p.m. Miss May has captivated local theatre-goers during her stay at the Albion and her return is eagerly desired. She has established herself as a comedienne of the front rank. “The Foolish Age,” which was written by Hunt Stromberg, who also supervised the production, fits Miss May as snugly as a new pair of gloves. Mr Stromberg has done n especially efficient job in the preparation of the story. Miss May has excellent support from a cast, including Hallam Cooley, Otis Harlan, Charles Hoyt, Bull Montana and others. A Mermaid Comedy completes this really good entertainment. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion (738). “MAN AND WIFE” AND “THE BAD RUN” TOMORROW. Two of the most delightful and entertaining features ever seen in any theatre have been secured by the Albion management for pleasure-lovers in Invercargill. “The Bad Man” comes to the Albion with all its irresistible, delic’ous burnout, with Holbrook Blinn, star of the original stage success, re-acting the part that placed him in the top rank of great stars. It's the life of a merry Mr Fixit who lives as he wants to, does as he wants to, “do as he damn please anytime she feel like,” as he says it. He’s the Robin Hood of the deserts —"ver’ bad hombre”—but not so bad when he presents his friend with a wife and a diamond-studded future, all at the expense of a husband who wouldn’t stay dead. “You’ll laugh yourself hoarse, for it is a show of shows. In “Man and Wife” we believe you will be tremendously interested. Never has a stronger or a more extraordinary story been shown, nor a drama so rich in drama suspense and heart appeal. An exceedingly funny Animal Comedy completes the programme. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion (738j<> ALBION THEATRE. COMING TO ALBION. PHARUS-—THE EGYPTIAN. What is recognised as one of the most important engagements yet made comes to the Albion Theatre on Saturday evening next for a short season, in the person of Pharus, the Egyptian. Pharus comes to us direct from a sensational season in Melbourne and Sydney and the principal cities of New Zealand, where he was proclaimed to be the most unusual person ever seen upon the stage, and at the same time gives a most interesting and enlightening performance yet presented. Thin, wiry and vital, Pharus takes us back a couple of hundred years, when the strolling physician gowned and bearded, set up his booth at fair or market, and sold his wonderful elixir of life. Here the analogy ends, for Pharus has. nothing to sell, and is a physician of no mean order. The very unusual offering presented by Pharus has aroused considerable interest among medicos and scientists throughout the world, particularly those in search of relief from lumbago, neuritis. Pharus, the Egyptian’s methods of relieving pain, which are based on a scientific discovery, added to the knowledge handed down to him through generations, and which he terms zonery, is used on the nerve centres as ju-jitsu is employed to throw off the enemy. So startling and unusual is the message that Pharus brings that he quite expects to receive a measure of adverse criticism, as accorded to the inventors of the aeroplanes and submarine and all others who have had the courage to propose something not in the established order of things. Pharus, who is a quiet, unassuming man, says: ‘I have chosen the theatre as being the best place to deliver my message, because the Church considers it somewhat ungodly, and I want to reach the public itself.” He does not claim originality, as the system can and has been traced back for hundreds of years, even as far as Magi. Many people who have heard of Pharus, the Egyptian, may have the impression that this star importation is a faith healer, but this is not so. He takes the precaution of not touching any patient, his methods of relieving pain being carried out by the nurses accompanying this wonderful man. If there are among our readers any sufferers from headache, rheumatism, neuritis, or that tired feeling, make a point of being at the Albion Theatre next Saturday and during next week and seeing Pharus. The Egyptian is well worth going to see. A special matinee for ladies only will be given on Wednesday, July 2, at 2.30 pan. The box plan for the season is now open at The Bristol. In addition to the above phenomenal attraction, the usual picture programme will be screened. The prices are as usual. .

CIVIC PICTURES. LAST NIGHT OF PRISCILLA DEAN AND BEBE DANIELS. One of those pictures that destroy a false popular illusion is showing at the Civic tonight for the last time. It is “White Tiger,” a Universal-Jewel photoplay, starring Priscilla Dean, a story of the underworld that disproves the popular fallacy which says that crime is romantic and all criminals comradely adventurers. '*White Tiger” presents only four figures of importance. Three are crooks, international “exploiters” of nimble tricks should, by all the laws of popular fiction, agree like doves and trust each other to the last haul. But instead of that they present one of the most humorous pictures it has been the pleasure of the theatre-going public to see in a long time. The bickering and quarrelling of three crooks who are so dishonest they can’t even trust each other is a novel sight on the screen. Miss Dean, Wallace Beery and Raymond Griffith carry out the trio of characterisations. Matt Moore plays the leading role opposite Miss Dean. Bebe Daniels and a strong supporting cast present “His Children’s Children,” a story pointing b strong moral which is driven home with a strong punch. This programme should not be missed to-night. PROFESSOR NEWLANDS. WELLINGTON’S SECOND NIGHT. The New Zealand Times says:—lt is not fiften Wellington audiences are privileged to hear such a literary treat as that delivered by Mr J. C. Newlands at the Concert Chamber last night a good house. His subject, “A Night With Barrie,” was dealt with in masterly style, and the works of the great Scottish humourist and dramatist were transformed from literature to life. The quaint characters of “A Window in

Thrums” were depicted by a man steeped in their idiosyncrasies and quaint philosophy. It is little wonder that Mr Newlands was twice recalled by his enthusiastic listeners. His discourse from an educational value cannot be estimated too highly, while as an enjoyable night’s entertainment it is second to none. The early days of "Jimmie” Barrie were described by a faithful disciple, and one’s interest was held from the opening sentences to the last word. The influence of Mrs Barrie over her eon was instanced and exemplified time and again, and made one thankful that such a genius had such fine parents to guide his early career and help in no small measure to model his future. A description of that

great play, "Mary Rose,” stamped Mr Newlands as an engaging lecturer and a master of the elocutionary art. It gave one an excellent and vivid idea of a play that has received the unbounded acclamation of the critics the world over. Illustrative readings included, "Preparing to Receive Company,” ‘Teter Pan,” "A Humourist on his Calling,” and "First Sermon Against Women.” All were highly appreciated, and at the conclusion the lecturer was rapturously applauded. In Wellington, Mr Newiands’ recitals made such an impression that business men asked Professor Newiands to talk on "First Principles of Public Speaking” in the Concert Chamber. The Bex Plan is nov open at The Bristol.