ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19279, 25 June 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. TOM MIX, MAE MARSH, REGINALD DENNY. One of the biggest treats ever placed before picturegoers will be screened at the Municipal Theatre to-night, when the management of the Civic will present Tom Mix in his latest big success “Soft Boiled,” Mae Marsh in “A Woman’s Secret,” and the ever-popular Reginald Denny in the commencement ol an entirely new series of “The Leather Pushers.” Such a programme should mean capacity houses each night of screening; so a word to the wise—“ Consult the box plan”---should not be out of place. Tom Mix, as usual, has the assistanc of Tony, the wonder horse, in “Soft Boiled.” This is said to be one of the biggest laughing successes ever screened, and one of Tom’s very best pictures. In “Soft Boiled” Tom Mix plays the role of a young man named Steele, whose temper is quicker to flash than that metal sparks when it contacts with flint. How he learns to control 1 this temper, first as a shoe clerk, later as manager of a road-house and eventually wins a girl and a fortune, combine to produce one of the most effective pictures in which the popular actor ever appeared. Billie Dove plays opposite him, and J. G. Blystone, directing the picture, scoured the western coast for the prettiest girls in the daring cabaret scenes. Whatever else may be said of “Soft Boiled,” it will be conceded above all that it presents Tom Mix in his most unique role, with the result that action, romance, and humour mingle throughout the picture. “A Woman’s Secret” was made in Eng-

land by the company that made that fine production, “Paddy, The Next Best Thing.” According to advices the same combination of star (Mae Marsh) and producers has again resulted in a picture of outstanding merit reaching thes creen. In “A Woman’s Secret” Miss Marsh first is seen as the mischevious, fun-loving daughter of a wealthy merchant in the latter end of her boarding school days. She shows an amazing talent at getting into the most unheard-of schoolgirl scrapes, and in these scenes simply is at her best in her comedy characterisations. Later, when Miss Marsh as Dorothy Forbes, returns home and becomes mistress of her father’s London residence, she passes easily and quickly from the school-girl stage to that of the debutante daughter of a man of wealth and high social and business standing. Her father frankly prefers his club to his home, and Dorothy experiences her first pangs of neglect and loneliness. Then begin the highlights of the story and pic-

ture, to reveal which would be alike unfair i to the public and to the photoplay. Suffice it to say that Miss Marsh again excels. In the scenes that follow she has an unlimited I oportunity for intensely dramatic emotional acting, and not in a single instance does she fail to take full advantage, nor does she fail to rise to the heights of the artistry demanded. As this picture, on account of its theme, bears the recommendation of the censor as being more suitable for I screening to adult audiences, it will not be screened until after interval. Tom Mix I and Reginald Denny will provide the first I half of the evening’s entertainment. Box plans are open at the Bristol until noon; i later at Mrs Gawn’s. ALBION THEATRE. THREE STAR PROGRAMME: “MAN AND WIFE,” AND “THE BAD MAN.” Another coterie of leading attractions and artists will be presented at the cosy and comfortable Albion commencing tonight at 7.15 p.m. No less than three stellar features grace the programme which hAs been presented before crowded houses everywhere in the north. “Man and Wife,” a picture powerfully dramatic, which presents a tremendous problem, will be the featured attraction at this theatre beginning at 9 p.m. It tells the story of a surgeon w’ho married two sisters- Believing one to be dead, he married the other, unaware of their relationship. It later de- j veloped that he'hUd made a terrible mistake. His first wife was still alive, although slightly demented. He knew that j she would die unless an operation was per- ‘ formed and he could perform that opera- j tion! Should he operate and ruin the j new-found happiness of his present wife— ] she who was about to become a mother? ( Or should he let this girl die, who everyone , thought was dead? If he did the former ; he would ruin three lives. If he did the latter he would be the same as a murderer. Don’t fail to see how this unusual problem is worked out in “Man and Wife,” which is one of the “picture sensations” of the season. Gladys Leslie, Robert Elliott, Norma Shearer and Maurice Costello are the featured players. “Laughter is good for the health,” declare the wise men. And so in offering “The Bad Man,” a First National picture produced by Edwin Carewe, who directed those remarkable photoplays, “Mighty Lak a Rose” and “The Girl of the Golden West,” we feel quite confident that a goodly share of mirth and happiness will be spread for our audiences. Holbrook Blinn appears in the leading role, assisted by a remarkable and exceptionally capable cast which includes Enid Bennett, Charles A. Sellon, Jack Mulhall, Teddy Sampson, Walter MeGrail, Harry Myers, Stanton Heck, Thomas Delmar, and Frank Lanning. “The Bad Man,” appeared on the stage for three solid years, with Blinn in the title role. Carewe had his eye on the vehicle for a long period of time, but he delayed producing it until he could obtain Blinn for the screen version. But the play was too successful to interrupt its tour. Finally, however, it came to Los Angeles, and during performances Blinn enacted the part before the camera. One of the finest Animal Comedies it has been our happy lot to screen, is seen in “Ringtail Romance.” Gazettes, etc., complete this ideal programme. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion, 738. Day sales all day at Dunlop’s. PHARUS THE EGYPTIAN. Pharus the Egyptian, who has been called the modern miracle man, will appear at Albion Theatre on Saturday evening next for a short season. In Auckland and Christchurch alone over 70,000 people paid ’ for admission to see and hear, and thereby f gain the knowledge Pharus has to impart. Sufferers from nervous disorders, sciatica, neuritis, etc., to say nothing of the other ills the human flesh is heir to, will welcome the appearance of Pharus in Invercargill, as he is said to demonstrate how ; people can cure the body of all its curable disorders in their own homes by his simple method of zonery, i.e., pressure on certain ' nerves. Pharus does not claim any Divine ’ assistance, nor does he claim to work miracles; he merely takes the sufferers and ' shows them there and then how to clear up their troubles themselves. Pharus does ’ not claim originality for this method, as it can be traced back to the early Egypt- ; ians, and can be acquired by anyone in a few days. As one of the cases said to 5 have been cured by Pharus there is men- ' tioned Constable Barrett’s (of Auckland) J twelve-year-old son Jack, who, as the result of an accidental fall when an infant, had ' suffered ever since from infantile paralysis ' and curvature of the spine. The hopelessly ' crippled lad, for whom hundreds of pounds J had been spent, was taken to Pharus at the theatre. While on the stage, the boy was subjected to the Egyptian’s nerve

pressure. His short leg was almost immediately lengthened by three-quarters of an inch. Since then the cure has been progressive under the same simple treatment. The boy’s knee is now in alignment, and he can perform feats which formerly were beyond his impaired strength. It is in every sense a remarkable cure, and yet one of many, judging by the number of applications for treatment, Pharus will be kept busy, and a crowded house may be anticipated. Therefore, intending patrons are advised to book early, or telephone the Albion and secure a reservation. A special ladies’ matinee ’’ given on Wednesday, July 2, at 2.30 p.m., and the plans are now open at The Bristol Th© usual Alhion pictuxq

programme, presenting Snowy Baker in “His Last Race,” will be screened in conjunction with the Pharus attraction. Sufferers from neuritis, lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism and all kindred ailments who desire free treatment are requested to call at the Albion immediately and make arrangements with the manager. CHURCH CONCERT. MISSION FUNDS BENEFIT. A successful concert was given in Stobo Hall last evening, the object of the entertainment being to help along the mission funds of the First Presbyterian Church. In his opening remarks the chairman, Rev. J. L. Robinson, said it was particularly unfortunate that the date of their concert had clashed with that of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Society, but such mishaps were always to be expected. The credit of arranging the programme must go to the Girls’ Auxiliary. The many items on a varied programme were then given. Songs were rendered by Mrs J. Garfield Anderson, Miss Helm, and'Messrs W. Aitchison and H. G. Lang-Ward. Miss Aitken, Miss Strathearn, Mr S. Carter and Master Bruce Carswell gave recitations and Miss Fenn gave a dance.