ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19457, 22 January 1925, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION TO-NIGHT. A DELIGHTFUL PROGRAMME. The patrons of the Albion last night were treated to a right royal entertainment, the whole programme making irresistible appeal to everyone present. The entertainment commences with a thrilling stunt picture in which an "Oakland Six” is p-.t through it’s paces. The stunts this car is put to, and does, are really marvellous and must be seen to be believed. The agents, Messrs Todd Bros., are to congratulated in having such a fine car as the Oakland Six to sell "What Fools Men Are,” a powerful Master Picture, depicts a novel phase of modern life not merely as it is seen in motion pictures. In real life girls like Peggy Kendricks are frequent enough and, for all the world knows, the havoc she creates in the picture is a sad secret in more than one family. The story is that of an unconventional society girl who accepts presents form her brother-in-law, and when her sister discovers the fact she sues for and is granted a divorce, supposing, of course, that her ex-husband will marry the flapper. But the latter has no idea of falling into plans made for her by another, so she marries a wealthier and freer man. Just to show people that she is not as heartless as they think, she reunites the divorced couple. A very amusing comedy follows this pic- ! ture. After the interval is shown the Snowy Baker feature "The Empire Builders.” In "The Empire Builders,” Snowy Baker sets out to execute a treaty of peace with a native king in Africa, and to win Katryn van der Poel. But the Boer cattlemen of the Veldt do not want their pastures settled by farmers. The native king’s advisers wish to plunge him into war with England. We are shown a lonely girl crossing the veldt with her caravan. Her porters are, to put it crudely, almost destitute of pants—and they aren’t going to be paid off until she arrives at the home of her uncle in the Transvaal. So they go on strike for ready money, and our heroine begins to realise that it is well to take a man along when you go camping with men. The story is unique inasmuch as it strikes a new theme in pictures, and is therefore doubly welcome. The whole programme is one that will recommend itself to everyone. Seats may be reserved by ’phoning the Albion 738. OAKLAND CAR DEMONSTRATION. To give Southland motorists an idea of what the latest model of the "Oakland Six” can do, Messrs Todd Bros., Dee Street, have arranged that a demonstration will be presented on the screen of the Albion tonight, commencing at 7.15 sharp. Every person who intends having a good car at a reasonable price should see this picture; indeed every motorist should, for the stunts and tests this car are put through would leave an ordinary car fit for the scrap heap, and yet this wonderful "Oakland Six” comes out of the trials as if it was merely running its own gait. Onlookers will be amazed and incredulous that such feats can be done, but Messrs Todd Bros., will give local demonstrations to intending buyers any day at any time to prove the worth of the “Oakland Six.”

CIVIC PICTURES. ‘•LILIES OF THE FIELD,” "THE SHADOW OF THE EAST” AND "THE FAST STEPPERS.” It is quite evident that the fame of the new programme at the Civic has been well heralded, for last night the audience that assembled filled the theatre to overflowing in all parts, and then hundreds had to be turned away. The principal feature is the amazingly dramatic and compelling special attraction ; "Lilies of the Field,” which is unquestion- i ably destined to be one of the outstand- j ing hits of the year 1925. In the prin- I cipal roles it presents two artists whose ' names stand high on the movie roll of ' fame—Conway Tearle and Corinne Griffth. "Lilies of the Field” has been produced on a most lavish scale. Being an exceedingly human story, but one set in the mansions of the rich, opportunity is given for the creation of some very beautiful sets. Let us say right here, however, that the director has not spent money recklessly on the furnishing of his sets with the idea of making the picture look lavish. The sets are big and very beautiful, but the dead line of good taste has never been overstepped. Such a story as that of "Lilies of the Field,” risque as it undoubtedly is, in the hands of a mediocre director could ‘ easily have become gross and one that may 1 have aroused criticism. But Dillon’s treatment of it has been magnificent. The sophisticated mind all through easily grasps the meaning, although to the unsophisticated anything the least indelicate could not be discerned. Briefly it starts to tell of the life of a young married woman on the one side and of the "Lillies” (who toil not, neither do they spin) on the other. When the two are brought together, a shock results. In the course of the play are two most dramatic episodes which will grasp the emotions of anyone who witnesses them, for they will remain in the mind when the memory of the picture has faded. They are the fuenreal of the broken Lily, with her five late companions in the "froth and bubble” life, and the pathetic “birthday party” which Mildred gives for the child “that was torn from her. The first mentioned is one of the strongest and most compelling pieces of action it has been our good fortune to witness in a long, long time, while the pathos of the latter, wherein a mother, away in a back room in a dingy street, sets up a little birthday party for a child which is not there, is absolutely gripping. All in all "Lilies of the Field” is a picture no one should miss.

When William Fox produced a motion picture version of “The Shadow of the East,” he did it as thoroughly and as effectively as we believe was possible. The finished work was shown for the first time last night. The successor to "The Sheik,” also from the pen of E. M. Bull, is a pulsating, throbbing, colourful tale of the East and West, particularly the East. It concerns an English peer who has entered into an Indian marriage with a native girl, who kills herself when she believes that his love is waning. This shadow caste itself over the Englishman’s life to the extent that when he meets the girl of his own race whom he loves it nearly wrecks his life and hers. Frank Mayo, as the Earl of Craven, Mildred Harris, as the girl and Evelyn Brent as Lolaire, the Indian bride, do excellent work. Norman Kerry, as Said, the Sheik, who is also in love with the English girl, but, who, contrary to the habits of sons of the desert, steps aside in favour of his friend. Craven, gives his usual excellent performance. Billy Sullivan is also on the bill in another of the sporting specials: "The Fast Steppers.” “FAIR AND WARMER.” NELLIE BRAMLEY SEASON. With pleasurable memories of Miss Nellie Bramley’s previous visits to New Zealand, theatre-goers will hear with interest that the talented young actress, supported by a strong company, is due to open a season at the Municipal Theatre on Monday next, when Mr William Russell will present her in "Fair and Warmer.” As the title suggests, this play is a farce of the ultra-modern type, and is written essentially for laughter purposes. As light as a feather and as flimsy as a veil (says an Australian reviewer),' the author has nevertheless succeeded in threading together a story concerning the domestic entanglements of two young marired couples in a manner that is exceedingly clever and humorous by reason of the many grotesque situations that are created, and the smart repartee that is introduced. The plot turns on the harmless

yet most compromising situations in which two "newly-weds” find themselves involved while waiting for the return of their respective partners. As Blanny Wheeler, the trust ing wife of Jack Wheeler, Miss Bramley Is given great scope for her undoubted gifts as a comedienne, and has a role differing entirely from any of her previous characterisations. A ’fine cast supports the star, including Messrs Guy Hastings, Arthur Cornell, George Bryant (who will also produce the plays), George Hewlett, William McGowan, John Galway, Misses Beryl Barraclough, Sylvia McNair and others. The box plans open this morning at the Bristol. Following "Fair and Warmer” will be played “Peg o’ My Heart,” "It Pays to Advertise,” The Third Degree.” As the season is for only four nights, Invercargill theatre-goers are indeed in for a variety of popular plays. The champagne used in the cocktail scene is dry Monopole, suplied by Mr Arthur Paape, of the Grand Hotel, Dunedin. Mr William Russell, the director, believes in having things done right.