ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19311, 1 August 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF ANNA CHRISTIE (BLANCHE SWEET). That the present programme now at the cosy Albion has been a revelation to the people of Invercargill is very evident by the increasing crowds nightly. No drama in the history of the silver sheet has such tense moments of tragic drama that rise to heights of greatness never before dreamed of off the dramatic stage. A success in England and America “Anna Christie” has come to Invercargill as the biggest success yet received at the Albion. Three massive boilers were purchased and brought out to the lot of the studios, where they were installed in one of the most massive “sets” ever erected for a motion picture scene. The sequence shot here as the flames in the boilers leapt out fitfully while the men “stoke her up” and the subsequent flooding of the hole with water as the “Anconia” sinks, is said to be unique in the movie world. The first feature of the evening is the French Canadian play “The Man Between” this feature is alone worth the price of admission. Intending patrons are reminded that tonight the last screenings take place. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion 738.

“ARABIAN NIGHTS PICTURE.” “LOVE IN A HAREM.” “Love in a Harem” which has been secured at very big cost by the Albion management as part of the sumptuous programme for patrons commencing to-morrow is the first Pathe drama in natural colours since the war. It is played by a cast of noted Parisian artists including Mlle. France Dhelia, M. Sylvio de Pedrelli, M. Gaston Modut, M. Vennogal, M. Bras, M. Dutertre, M. Piilot and Mlle. Dourga as the dancing girl. It set England, France and America talking and it will do the same here for it is the most marvellous and glorious masterpiece that has ever graced any screen. Do you believe in love at first sight? If you don’t wait until you see “Love in a Harem,” a superbly coloured Master Picture of the East, showing at 8.45 p.m. If you do you will thrill to the core at the way Prince Mourad and Princess Daoulah met. He thought she was a dancing girl, and she thought he was a fisherman, for they were both in disguise. Daoulah had escaped from the barmen and while she was running along the cliffs slipped and fell into the sea. Mourad, who happened to be wandering nearby saw her fall, and dashed in to save her. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in the arms of this handsome young man, and before she could veil her face they knew they loved each other. It was many months before they met again, and found out who they really were, and many thrilling adventures befell them before then. On the same programme is the thrilling mystery love romance, “Beyond The Rainbow,” also a clever Mermaid comedy “Blazes.” Seats for the “Love in a Harmen” season may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion 738.

CIVIC PICTURES. EXCELLENT PROGRAMME FINISHING TO-NIGHT. That Mary Pickford, Tom Mix and Reginald Denny retain their hold on public favour is well exemplified by the audiences which have greeted their appearances on the screen at the Municipal Theatre during the currency of the present season. Those who have not yet seen this programme have only one chance left, for the season ends to-night. There is a new Mary Pickford to be seen in “Rosita.” In this, her latest United Artists’ production, Miss Pickford presents for public favour an entirely new character and story—different from anything she has heretofore been identified with. She appears as a grown up young women, revealing a seldom-seen quality of the personality loved the world around. In “Rosita” Mis Pickford has entered into her rightful heritage of glorious vital, alluring womanhood on the screen. The new Mary Pickford is more adorable than ever.

Between leaping from his famous horse, Tony, to a flying airplane and being nearly blasted into eternity by riding over a mined roadway, Tom Mix, the intrepid Fox star, spends an exciting time in his latest picture “Eyes of the Forest,” the story of Bruce Thornton, an army aviator who has been assigned to forest ranger duty. His first trip over the woodland brings him in contact with Ruth Meiler, whom he recognises as a girl who is sought on the charge of killing her step-father. Bruce “fails’ for the girl, and, convinced that the murder charge is a mistake, decides to ferret the evidence out before delivering her to the authorities. Hogan, the girl’s unwanted husband, boss of a lumber thieving gang, comes into the case. The method by which Bruce proves the innocence of the girl and brings the lumber thieves to justice, furnishes a thrilling, pulsating story in which Mix has many oportunities to perform his individual stunts. “The Leather Pushers” and the comedy which complete the programme round off a perfect programme.