ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19280, 26 June 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

' ALBION THEATRE. AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME: “MAN AND WIFE” AND “THE BAD MAN.” The spice of life is the enjoyment we derive from our pleasures and there is nothing more pleasing than to be carried out of ourselves into other climes and other people’s lives foreign to our own. In the new Albion programme which was enjoyed by a large audience last night there is that variety of good entertainment in usual form coupled with dainty and appropriate music tastefully played by the Albion orchestra that was a source of delight to the patrons attending. Those who take delight in action, mingled with colour and good acting, will find all they desire in “The Bad Man,” a First National attraction, which is showing at 7.30, p.m. It was directed by Edwin Carewe. “The Bad Man” is not merely a photoplay. It is a drama of the South-west, and it tells a story more complete and more thrilling than the usual motion picture. Perhaps the reason for this is that it is a literal translation of the stage play. They were sisters but they had different ideas about things. One was content to milk cows to help with the housework and enjoy the simple comforts of farm life. The other yearned for excitement and romance; she wanted to live in the city with its bright life and hectic pleasures. . Finally she ran away and was swept into life’s maelstom. .. What happened to the strayed girl and the strange part which her sister who stayed at home played in her life, years later, make a tremendously engrossing photoplay. It is called “Man and Wife” and boasts a highly capable cast, featuring Gladys Leslie, Norma Shearer, Robert Elliott and Maurice Costello. An Animal Comedy with a Pathe Gazette completes this very fine programme. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion 738. ALBION THEATRE. PHARUS THE EGYPTIAN. All the secrets of Egypt were not entombed with Tutankhamen. Pharos the Egyptian has a few of them at his sendee as a healer. They were secured only by dint of arduous study of <old Egyptian and Oriental panaceas and medical priestcraft. The man himself, as well as his doctrine, is unique. He is an interesting personality, a man of wide travel and experience, a keen observer, and a bright conversationalist. The classic test of healing is, “Physician, heal thyself.” This can be applied to Pharus with the certainty of a convincing response. He is health personified. The interest of Pharus in the ancient medical lore of Egypt was part of his birthright. He was born in Cairo and spent the most impressionable years of youth by the Nile in the region of antiquity. And he has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, India, China, and most recently, Australia. In the United States he is as well-known as the dollar. On his great American tour Pharus demonstrated his theory of healing to over 15,000 people a week. The credibility of hard-headed men is naturally tested by an assertion that by the mere pressure of the finger, not a mysterious healer’s finger, but the patient’s own finger, on the right nerve centre will cure almost all the aches and ills to which human flesh is heir. And yet this “theatrical” doctor is neither quack nor faith healer. His system is as old as the Pyramids. There are 6000 physicians said to be practising it to-day throughout the world. The system is known technically as Zone Therapy, a fearsome term which, in the glib vernacular of good Americans, has been reduced to “Zonery.” It simply means the pressure of nerves for stopping pain. “I can prove,” declares Pharus with animation, “that at least 50 per cent, of human disorders will quickly disappear under my method of treatment, which can be practised by sufferers at home without expenses or the use of quack medicines. There need be no deaths from whooping cough, the scourge of children. It can be broken up and destroyed in five minutes.” And so with many other ills. On Saturday evening next, June 28, Pharus will commence a season at the Albion Theatre. Sufferers from neuritis, sciatica, lumbago, rheumatism and all kindred ailments who desire free treatment are requested to call at the Albion Theatre and make arrangements with the manager of the theatre. In addition to Pharus a huge programme of special features will be screened and notwithstanding the enormous expense entailed in bringing Pharus to this city, the ordinary prices of admission only will be charged. The box plans for the season are open at The Bristol. On Wednesday, July 2, a matinee for ladies only will be given by Pharus, when he wall occupy the whole of the time and no pictures will be screened. CIVIC PICTURES. GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. The published announcement that Tom Mix, Reginald Denny and Mae Marsh would provide the entertainment was responsible for an audience that filled every available comer in the theatre last night. A large number were unable to gain admission. And if merit really counts this experience should be repeated again to-night, for the programme is really a wonderful one. Tom Mix, erstwhile broncho buster, motion picture gunman and typical character of the woolly days, blossoms out as a comedian. And he does it as though he had never done anything else. Starting out for what he is, a cow-puncher, Mix finally has to land a job. He becomes a shoe clerk, but not until he discards the garments of the ranch and done bell-bottomed trousers, spats and horn-rimmed goggles. It is a new Tom Mix who steps into view. Laughs come in quick succession. Mix attempts to fit shoes on a young lady. They don’t slip on just right, so unconsciously he resorts to his familiar method in shoeing a horse and tries to drive them on with blows from a shoe horn. Eventually he is permitted to return to his character and typical Mix action results. Tony, his noted horse, is in the cast. Billie Dove plays the leadnig feminine role and a good supporting cast makes the picture entirely worth while.

Mae Marsh and the British producers shine in “A Woman’s Secret,” a most worthy production judged from any angle. Colour effects have been introduced and serve to heighten considerably the artistic effect of a pleasing picture. In this newest photo-play sensation Miss Marsh has a most difficult characterisation. She first plays the part of a dashing, prankish, mischievous young girl in the latter stages of a boarding school career. Innocent, yet with an unusual capacity for getting into all sorts of harmless difficulties with the school authorities, Dorothy Forbes (Mae Marsh) goes skimming happily through school life. Graduation comes, and this daughter of a wealthy London merchant returns home to take up her duties as mistress of her father’s home. He very frankly prefers his club to the quietness of domestic life, and the daughter soon resents his neglect and her own loneliness. Through this neglect on the part of the father there develops an unfortunate love affair, which has a most tragic culmination. Dorothy later marries an eminent barrister who is ignorant of ‘The Woman’s Secret.” In a most dramatic court scene her husband is seen as Crown Prosecutor in a case where the father of her child is charged with its murder. Dorothy once the prankish boarding school girl, but now the central figure in an intensely dramatic and emotional scene, faces the alternative of seeing her titled and honoured husband publicly humiliated in England’s most famous court, or herself becoming a witness and confessing every detail of the tragic events in her earlier life—events which she had kept secret from her husband. After bitter reflection, Dorothy chooses the latter course, herself accepting the humiliation her husband’s enemies had intended- for him. This serves only to strengthen the tie of love between Dorothy and Sir Reginald, who as a result of the former’s confession renounces

bis profession of law and retires to a country estate where the after years of a happily married life, founded on great love and forgiveness, are rounded out. Reginald Denny provides more good entertainment in a new round of the famous “Leather Pushers” series. Set mainiy in snow country this “round” provides much fun and excitement.