ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19389, 1 November 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

, ABLION-—2 P.M. TO-DAY. DINKY DEAN MATINEE AND TWO COMEDIES. A very attractive programme has been arranged for patrons of the Albion at the matinee, 2 p.m. to-day, headed by Charlie Chaplin’s little four-year-old screen find “Dinky De#n,” who plays the part of a prince who is stolen at birth by a band of acrobats in a circus. There is no doubt about, Jackie Coogan’s nose is badly bent, if not completely broken, by the newest boy star on the motion picture horizon, four year old Dinky Dean, who has the leading role in A Prince of a King, which opens to-day in what bids fair to be a phenomenal run at the Albion Theatre. The little lad makes not only a very picturesque Gigi but a very convincing one; in fact, his portrayal of this difficult part is most remarkable. It hardly seems possible that so young a child could grasp so adequately the various gradations of emotion required throughout the production. Direction and cast are excellent and the entire performance is one which should amuse even the most jaded critic. A big Mermaid Comedy “Neck and Neck” and the latest episode of Hurricane Hutch completes this outstanding programme. Every child should see this programme. ALBION—TO-NIGHT. ANITA STEWART IN “THE WOMAN HE MARRIED.” The popular favourite of millions, Anita Stewart, will once more be seen at the Albion to-night in a play which will find a niche in every woman’s heart. “The Woman He Married,” is the title and as the title implies it is a story of life with the accent on the first letter. The picture has an appeal that grips the heart and wins the sympathy of the spectator for the heroine, struggling against heavy odds for the sake of the love that fills her heart. Miss Anita Stewart gives the role of the artists’ model an interpretation that characterises her as one of the great screen actresses, and the supporting cast is fully adequate. Miss Stewart plays the part of Natalie a beautiful model, who repulses the advances of Byrne Travers, a famous artist, to whom all pretty women appeal. She marries Roderick Warren, son of a steel magnate. Both love each other passionately, but when Roderick’s father tries to get his son to give up his wife on the plea that she is below his station in life, the girl determines to fight for his love. The manner in which she overcomes all odds, and thwarts her father-in-law’s opposition gives the story of “punch” that is interesting and thrilling. Child actors always win the hearts of an audience by their cunning ways, but Dinky Dean, the four-year-old star in A Prince of a King, which begins at 7.30 p.m. has, also, a dramatic ability, which many an older artist might envy. As Gigi, the stolen little king, in this picturisation of Abbie Farwell Brown’s book, John of the Woods, Dinky portrays most of the emotions known to the human race and so convincing is he that the onlookers smile, sigh, sob and smile again with him. It is quite evident that the tiny lad has a great future, if he continues as he has commenced. The story itself is interesting and the supporting cast acquits itself admirably. A very fine Gazette and a good comedy by Mermaid completes the programme. CIVIC PICTURES. “HIGH SPEED” AND “THE NEXT CORNER.” The programme to be presented at the Municipal Theatre to-night can only be presented twice on account of the D. W. Griffth’s special “The White Rose,” commencing an extended season on Tues'lay. Intending patrons are advised to bear this fact in mind. The principal offering to-night will be Herbert Rawlinson’s latest speedy comedy drama with the appropriate title of “High Speed.” This is fast action comedy drama with the handsome star in the role of a young athletic hero who sets out to win the elopement with a rich man for his competitor and the girl’s father doing the dirty work. He is utterly overlooked by the “old man” as a prospective son-in-law. So he and the girl decide they’ll go to the altar via the window-ladder-automobile route. The girl’s father and her rich suitor miss the window and the ladder but they show up strongly in the automobile phase. As a matter of fact, they show up so strongly that both machines are compelled to do a little speeding, which is not in favour with the local motor cycle officers. Both parties are arrested. Then the girl, played by Carmelita Geraghty, gets in a good blow with a clever piece of business relating to the bail necessary to get someone out of jail. She gives the rich suitor the impression that the bail money is for her father, but the man who comes out the door of the jail is her companion in elopement. Off they go—and it’s up co papa and the money-qualified suitor to get out of jail, which they do eventually. In the meantime, the minister’s home is invaded by a burglar, and the young couple, obvious to such trifles at what a minister should look like and act like, are united in something-or-other by the robber disguised in the minister’s clothes. Then, more complications—including a fire in the hotel at which they blushingly register—and the windup comes unexpectedly with plenty of laughs. The supporting feature, “The Next Corner,” sees a powerful cast headed by Conway Tearle, Lon Chaney, Dorothy Mackaill, Ricardo Cortez and Louise Dresser. Elsie, the wife of Robert Maury, is left on her honeymoon to enjoy the pleasures of Paris, while her husband is unexpectedly called to his work. She becomes infatuated with a Don Arturo, and decided to leave her husband. She writes him a letter telling him of the change in her affections, and then her eyes are opened as to the character of Arturo.’ She goes back to her husband, hoping to be able to intercept the letter. How she finally finds happiness is the thrilling story of “The Next Corner.” “The Eagle’s Talons” and interesting news reel and diverting comedy complete this programme. Prices will be as usual. HERBERT RAWLINSON IN “HIGH SPEED.” CIVIC MATINEE TO-DAY. Herbert Rawlinson is famous for the pictures he makes. They have an appeal for everyone, especially the young folk. In his latest, “High Speed,” which is to be shown this afternoon for the first time, he sets a new speed record. The fun is fast and furious all the way through. In addition, the matinee programme will include another chapter of “The Eagle’s Talons,” the exciting aeroplane serial, a Century Comedy and a News reel of more than usual interest. This makes a great matinee programme. HUMPHREY BISHOR SUCCESSFUL FINAL PERFORMANCE. A crowded house greeted the final performance of the popular Humphrey Bishop Company in the Municipal Theatre last evening, when an entirely new programme was presented. Walter Kingsley was again enthusiastically received in selections from his extensive repertoire of baritone solos and Harry Avondale’s ragtime quartette were recalled time and again, their interpretation of the latest popular songs proving the hit of the evening. Louise Meadows led the ballet in several pretty song scenas, notably “Red Rose,” and the popular young New Zealander, Ngaire Phipson, made a charming foil for the two clever comedians, Robert Roberta and George Robs. Billy Tointon and Frank Egan again demonstrated novel syncoptions from the orchestral pit, and Zelda Bailey’s solo dancing proved a welcome addition to the performance. Owing to a shipping delay, the Company will play one performance at Bluff this evening, when a full programme is promised. Humphrey Bishop intends returning to New Zealand in a year’s time.