ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19335, 29 August 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. “GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE LAW” AND “POLLY OF THE STORM COUNTRY.” The perfect combination of good pictures, good music and home comfort always obtainable at the comfortable Albion, was again responsible last night for another large audience. Ask anyone who has read an Oliver Curwood story would they like to read another, you know what the reply would be, and it’s the same with an Oliver Curwood picture, only more so, for everything yon have read of is rivalled in the locale of the story, the far North, “God's Country and The Law,” is another of those rare entertainments only to be found in an Oliver Curwood plot, and the magic of it haunts one for days. It is the call of the North and everyone would fain answer it. The management wish it known that this loveable picture will be finally screened to-night, in conjunction with the Mildred Harris Chaplin play “Polly of the Storm Country.” a picture akin to “Tess of the Storm Country.” The fates of rich and poor are shuffled like cards when Evelyn Robertson asks Polly Hopkins to marry Evelyn’s former sweetheart as a “personal favor to her.” And as Polly is a girl who loves everybody and everything, consents to the arrangement.

This is one of the striking situations in “PoDy of the Storm Country,” in which is Mildred Harris Chaplin, wife of the screen’s most famous comedian.

A clever comedy “Jiggs in Society,” and an English Gazette completes the propgramme.

“DICK TURPIN’S RIDE TO YORK” AND “BUSTER KEATON.” Still they come! And more to follow, but the two big specials booked for Southland’s leading picture theatre, the Albion, will be talked of for many days, for they represent the pick of Old England’s plays and artists in “Dick Turpin’s Ride to York,” to America’s sphinx-faced comedian Buster Keaton, in his biggest laugh yet “Our Hospitality,” a big seven-reel feature, the first to be presented by him. The Stoll super-production of “Dick Turpin’s Ride to York” presents Dick Turpin in the guise of a hero as well as a highwayman, and converts the famous ride into a thrilling attempt to rescue a beautious damsel in distress, as well as an effort to escape the Bow street runners. Consequently here is a master picture that must inevitably fire the blood and command the admiration of everyone who sees it, young or old, male or female. It accentuates the gallantry and bravery of Dick; it discards almost entirely the more sordid details of his career. He is an outlawed gentleman rather than a thief, and for once in the way law and order become, so to speak, the villains of the piece. “Don’t shoot your guest—wait till he gets out of the house,” said the chivalrous old Canfields to his two sons. Then he turned to Buster Keaton, who was stated to be the last victim of the Southern fued. “You’ll never forget our hospitality,” he said cordially. And nobody who sees Buster bumping down from New York on an 1830 train into a whirlwind of hilarious comedy and tense adventure, will forget “Our Hospitality.” either.

On the same programme is the first of the “Our Gang” comedies. “Tire Grouble” it is called, and it is classed as the funniest comedy of recent years. Seats may be reserved by phoning the Albion. CIVIC PICTURES. “WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN * FLOWER.” Beautiful in every sense of the word is the Cosmopolitan Special ‘When Knighthood Was in Flower,” which will close a most successful run at the Municipal Theatre to-night. Marion Davies has

never before appeared to such advantage as she does in the part of the beautiful Mary Tudor. Her ability and charm, the warmth of her acting and the sincerity of her characterisation make her definitely one of the greatest of screen luminaries. These vital points lift her far above any plane which mere popularity and beauty could ever hope to elevate her. Her work as Mary Tudor will live as one of the outstanding characterisations of the screen. Added to this is the combined value of a great director, a popular novel, superb sets, a supporting cast that is notable, and a wonderfully dramatic, swiftly moving story of one of the greatest and most romantic periods, as well as the most popular, of England’s history. Transferred to the screen with all the verve and colour, its pageantry and intrigue, its thrills and gallantry, jt makes wonderfully satisfying entertainment. The story of “Hoodman Blind,” the Fox drama on the bill, is that of a man who condemns his wife unjustly, with the result that he nearly ruins three lives—those of his wife, his child and himself. It de' velops that the woman he saw in another man’s arms was his wife’s sister whom he did not know existed. She is innocently made the tool of an unscrupulous enemy of the husband who covets his wife. All the drama, all the pathos and even the delicate little bits of humour that made the old stage play such a big success are retained in the motion picture, and they are enhanced by the unlimited scenic equipment of the screen. A new round of “The Leather Pushers” is also showing to-night. ‘THE COVERED WAGON.” BOX PLANS ARE NOW OPEN. A record season of five nights (commencing on Monday next) is confidently anticipated for the big Paramount success, “The Covered Wagon,” the much-discussed and highly lauded special which has been so eagerly looked forward to for some months past. Anticipating that the public will appreciate the fact that prices have not been increased since he took over the Civic, Mr McKeever announces that notwithstanding the high cost of this special, prices will remain as usual throughout the season. Only record business will justify this considerate action on the part of the management, and we are certain that the public will show their appreciation by crowding the theatre each night of the season. The picture has proved to be one of the biggest attractions ever screened in New Zealand. Phenomenal business has been reported everywhere. Box plans for the season are now open at The Bristol.