ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION TO-NIGHT. FOUR SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS A feast of entertainment seldom equalled and never bettered has been secured for Albion patrons, commencing to-night, at 7.15 p.m. First on the programme is the startling, forceful story, “The Last Hour,” from the story, “Blind Justice.” A theme of discussion the world over for years is whether capital punishment has been effective as a deterrent to crime, or whether the world would not be better served by a system of preventative detention as opposed to taking life. The Selznick picture, “The Last Hour,” deals with this subject, among others. Here we have a man, a reformed criminal, sentenced to death on circumstantial evidence, and although every effort is put forth to endeavour to get the powers that be to commute the sentence, the law* is adamant and promises to take its course, until the unhappy man has but one hour to live. Meanwhile his fiancee has gone many miles on an arduous and trying journey to approach the Governor personally, but arrives only a few’ moments before that official is seized with an apoplectic stroke. The time is flying, and she is miles from the prison where her lover awaits his end — and then, following this, the story works up to a most unexpected and sensational climax with a series of scenes that for real dramatic force beggar description, and keep those witnessing them on the edge of their seats. Next on the programme is the clever “Our Gang” comedy, “Dogs of War.” Next comes the specialty dancing turh by Messrs Turner and Shaddick, who will demonstrate the one step; then comes the second series of dancing lessons by film of the one-step by the champion dancers of the world. Next comes the special master picture, “The Midnight Alarm,” of which the author says: “To be locked in a steel vault was my novel and dangerous experience during the making of a thrilling scene in “The Midnight Alarm,” a special Master picture. The danger was doubled by the fact that this action was demanded while the scene was burning, and flames threatened to drive my rescuers away and leave me to suffocate. I confess I was a wee bit nervous when the time came to be locked in. I heard the inner steel doors clang behind me as the large outer doors thundered fast. It was very hot in there, and I knew that they were going to set the offices on fire. I wondered what they would do if the flames got beyond their control, and the heat of the fire drove them away from the vault door? How long could I stand the heat in the vault that was now becoming oppressive without being overcome?” See the unexpected climax to this dramatic scene in “The Midnight Alarm,” showing at 9 p.m. Seats for the above programme may be reserved by phoning the Albion, 738. Day sale tickets all day at Dunlop’s. ALBION TO-DAY, 2 PJf. SPECIAL CHILDREN’S MATINEE. Every parent who has the future welfare of their children at heart should make a point of sending them to the Albion matinee to-day, when for their pleasure and education will be shown a picture which shows them the seriousness of carelessness in playing with fire, and also shows them how the big Fire Brigades cope with a big fire. The whole film makes a lesson that the young folk will never forget. Little Jean Carpenter, who plays a child role in Vitagraph’s latest special production, “The Midnight Alarm,” which will be shown at 2.45 p.m. at the matinee, is one of the brightest youngsters in filmdom. Before appearing in this David Smith production, she made a year’s tour with George Beban in filming “The Sign of the Rose.” Later on she played with Norma Talmadge in “Ashes of Vengeance.” Although only seven years old, Jean has her own ideas about acting. She is not a bit backward in making suggestions to the director if she thinks they will help her work in the play. She is unspoiled by the attention lavished on her, and is always ready to play Blind Man’s Buff with the players and scene hands. Another of the celebrated Our Gang comedies, which is entirely acted by children, entitled “The Dogs of War.” will be shown in conjunction with the latest • episode of “Hurricane Hutch.” Children are admitted for 3d at the matinee. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES. AT THE CIVIC TO-DAY. Commencing at the matinee to-day, Louis Bloy, the talented banjoist, who has justreturned from a lengthy tour of the leading Australian vaudeville circuits, will make his re-appearance in New Zealand. Mr Bloy is an exceptional performer. In fact, we can say without fear of contradiction that his equal as a banjoist has not yet been heard in New Zealand. He brings with him a wide and extensive repertoire of all the popular numbers of the day. In addition to this unique vaudeville offering, the management of the Civic will present a full double-feature programme quite up to the high standard set for this popular house. At the matinee will be screened the Paramount feature “Bluff,” in which Agnes Ayres and Antonio Moreno are starred. Two comedies will also be featured . Buddy Messenger in “Budding Young,” and the Christie comedy, “Hold Everything.” “The Eagle’s Talons” will be there, too. The night programme will include “Bluff” the story of a girl’s struggle in New York,

and how she nosed as another woman to ; gain fame. “Bluff” is the tale of a girl who tried to make New York recognise her talents as a designer. She failed, and then she tried the game of bluff with them. She pretended that she was someone else and won out.. But there were complications. The woman she had impersonated was wanted by the police, and when Betty had proved that she was not the same person, she was wanted for receiving under false pretences. But she managed to get out of the difficulty, and how she did it leads to developments which make “Bluff” one of the best comedy-dramas that has been screened for some time. Agnes Ayres and Antonio Moreno are in the cast. The supporting feature, “Cordelia the Magnificent,” is a fascinating story of society in New York, with a decided mystery, which will hold the interest to the last foot. The title role is in the capable hands of Clara Kimball Young, who has been surrounded with players who make the most of the parts. The cast is really notable, including as it does such players of merit as Carol Holloway, Huntley Gordon, and Lloyd Whitlock. The story is packed with absorbing action ending with a smashing climax and surprise, and the tinge of mystery will keep patrons on the edge of their seats right to the end. Plans are at the Bristol, day sales at Mrs Gawn’s. GRAND CONCERT NEXT FRIDAY. IN AID OF PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGES. On Friday next the theatre should be .crowded, on the occasion of the annual concert in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Orphanages of Southland, whose great and useful work is becoming more valuable every year. An attractive programme has been arranged, and a good night’s entertainment may confidently be anticipated. A choir of 50 voices drawn from the orphanage children will provide the first half of the programme, including scenes from “Oliver Twist,” a Maori haka, quartettes, duets, and choruses, and dialogues and recitations. The children have been preparing assiduously for some little time, and a great deal of trouble has been taken in preparing the various numbers to be presented. Leading local talent will supply the second portion of the entertainment. Madame Nellie Black, and Messrs Howard C. Foster, A. Ferguson, A. Credgington, and Gordon J. Reed all contributing items, while “The Mountebanks,” who won the half-hour competition at the recent Gore Competitions, will also perform. An orchestra under Mr G. Humphrey will supply the incidental music, Mr A. Macdonald acting as accompanist. The box plan opens at Begg’s on Monday next, for what promises to be one of the most enjoyable concerts given locally for some considerable time. ATHLETIC CLUB REVUE. MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NOVEMBER 20 AND 21. At the Municipal Theatre on Thursday and Friday week, November 20 and 21, two bright revue programmes will lie presented in aid of the funds of the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club. The entertainments are being produced by Mrs H. A. Macdonald, and a large number of her pupils are taking part in various dance creations, assisted by leading well-known vocalists, with a picked chorus and ballet. Mrs J. Prentice is acting as musical director, and the rehearsals have now been in progress for some weeks, all the indications pointing to a most successful season. Two distinct programmes are in course of preparation, and these include many novel dances, Mexican, and Egyptian interludes, spectacular ballet work and stunt dancing, as well as attractive vocal, instrumental, and elocutionary item®.