ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES TO-NIGHT. Frank A. Dennie, a popular vaudeville performer will make an introductory appearance before Civic Picture audiences tonight when a short season of three nights will be inaugurated. Mr Dennie is a versatile entertainer who provides 15 minutes of music, mirth and melody, introducing the saxophone and Spanish harp guitar and a host of new and popular melodies. The picture programme will feature a number of popular artists, including Betty Compson, Theodore Roberts, Kathlyn Williams, Robert Edeson, Enid Bennett, Harrison Ford and others. “Locked Doors,” a thrilling dramatic picture, is a William de Mille production and a Paramount picture —pretty fair guarantees of its quality. Furthermore, it boasts that animated actress, Betty Compson, and that best of American character actors. Theodore Roberts, as protagonists, which is another boost in its favour. Miss Compson enacts the role of Marj’ Carter, wife of a wealthy architect, whilst Theodore Roberts figures as her invalid father, for whose sake Mary has married, rather than from any personal desire. Young and attractive, Mary captures the fancy of John Talbot, who is unaware that she is the wife of his employer. Miss Williams, the sister of the architect, believes that Mary and Talbot have an understanding, and conveys her suspicions* to her brother, who waves it aside as impossible. One night when Talbot is visiting the Carter home fire breaks out on the lower floor, and he is trapped in Mary’s room where the girl has been trying to convince him that he is not doing right by his employer, nor she by her husband in countenancing his attentions. Carter, missing his wife, comes in through the fire escape to rescue her, and sees the pair at the door struggling to get through the flames. He makes a dive at Talbot’s throat, and his wife shrieks her horror of the pending tragedy—a vivid scene. Then the unusual happens. Seeing Talbot offer no resistance, Carter orders him out, after which Mar}’ confesses her love for the young man. Carter recalls Talbot, and tells him that he must go abroad, and on his return he will find Mary free. The tw r o lovers suspect a tragic end—but it is not so. The picture is marked by strong acting on the part of a very capable cast. The fire scene is a real thriller.

“The Fool's Awakening” is a picture that is built for entertainment. Seldom has a novel been written that could be so closely adapted for the screen as William J. Locke’s “The Tale of Triona” from which the picture has been made. This is a fact of importance and added is the cast of really excellent players that appear in the picture. Enid Bennett, Mary Alden, Harrison Ford and Alec. Francis have the principal roles while a glance at the cast shows that there are also many other artists whose names are well known. This gives “The Fool's Awakening” a great story with an excellent cast and there is a director, too, who is a master of his craft so that this picture is one of the best from all angles. A comedy and news reels completes a programme excellent in every respect. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol or by ’phoning No. 380. ALBION TO-NIGHT. BEBE DANIELS, NORMAN KERRY IN “DARING YOUTH” “ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.” CHARLIE CHAPLIN. The pot-pourri of excellent subjects to be presented at the Albion to-night should please the most fastidious, for there is no less than four outstanding features on the programme. The first is the third and last series of “Hints on Horsemanship” depicting daring stunts by Italian cavalry, etc. Next on the bill is the Australian picture, “Robbery Under Arms.” This is a story of Australia’s best loved romance, two generations have read the book, but it has fallen to the lot of Kenneth Brampton to produce it as a powerful six reel motion picture. The central figures are Captain Starlight, outcast and gentleman, his faithful black boy, Warrigal, and the two Marston boys. These two boys are enarmoured with the deeds of Starlight, and decide to join him. Starlight tries to persuade them to go back, but Jim said: “Heads we go with Starlight, tails we go straight.” The fate of the two boys hung in the balance, and the coin fellheads—so they started on their career of crime. Their first adventure was the duffing of o ver 1000 head of cattle and. selling

them, then they stuck up the Gold Escort and just barely escaped from the troopers. After that they decided to try their luck for the Turon gold cup, and Starlight, disguised as a new chum, enters his horse Rainbow for the Turon gold cup, a,nd wins the race. A jealous woman informs the police of Starlight’s identity and they escape owing to the coming of Warrigal. The Marstons decide to visit their mother. It was Christmas day and the mother was overjoyed to see her boys safe and implored them to stop their career of crime. They promised to do so, but while they are seated at dinner, Inspector Goring and his mounted troopers arrive and arrest them. They escape from gaol, assisted by Starlight and Warrigal, and start again their career of crime. Much against their wishes, they join a band of cut-throats, headed by Ben Morgan, who is a desperate villian, and make plans for the sticking up of the Knightley’s Station. After the hold-up, Mrs Knightley has to ride to the bank to get sufficient money to save her husband’s life. You see the wonderful ride, and the plucky woman arrives just in time. These and many other thrilling adventures are crowded into this remarkable photoplay. After this picture Charlie Chaplin takes the screen in the comedy “Easy Street.”’ Immediately after the interval there will be shown the Bebe Daniels—Norman Kerry comedy drama “Daring Youth.” This feature is one of the brightest shown locally for many a day, and should please Albion audiences immensely. This big programme will be shown at usual prices. Seats may be reserved all day at Rice’s or by ’phoning the Albion 738.

SPECIAL ALBION MATINEE TO-DAY 2 p.m. “ROBBERY UNDER ARMS” AND CHARLIE CHAPLIN. If ever a matinee performance should please patrons of the Albion, it is the entertainment arranged for this afternoon. The leading feature is Rolfe Bolderwood's virile story “Robbery Under Arms.” Writing of the picture, a Wellington paper states:— “Nothing better than ‘Robbery Under Arms’ has been seen here for a long time. In making Rolfe Bolderwood’s story into a photoplay the Australian producer has achieved something more than mere success. He is to be credited with a veritable triumph.” Coupled with the above is the screaming comedy by Charlie Chaplin, “Easy Street.” In addition will be shown another series of “Hints on Horsemanship,” and the latest episode of the “Purple Riders,” and at night the society drama “Daring Youth,” starring Bebe Daniels will be shown. Intending patrons are urged to reserve their seats for this programme at Rice’s Lollie Shop, or to ’phone the Albion, 738. “MOTHER MACHREE.” AT MUNICIPAL THEATRE, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6. Speaking of the style of entertainment known loosely as “costume plays,’ Reynolds Denniston, a New Zealand-born actor, known in the United States as the most widely travelled British actor, recently stated his opinion that the cosume play was about to “stage a come-back.” Denis Kehoe contends, and with good grounds, that plays such as “Mother Machree,” which he presents at the Municipal Theatre on Friday, November 6, have never gone out. He has played "Mother Machree” for the last six years throughout many parts of the British Empire, and has never failed to find a public for it. This he ascribes to the fact that the play and story are healthy in tone, are sane, humorous in action, and have an appeal to the heart, the supreme arbiter. Maurice Whelen, the author of “Mother Machree,” has not attempted to dissect human nature or make an appeal to the sex instinct. He has striven to write a play that will leave its auditors the happier for having heard it—and let it go at jjiat. Denis Kohoe has surrounded himself with a company of clever people who are determined to do their best to further the author’s purpose, and the result is a performance of uniformly high merit, which has earned the universal commendation of Press and public, wherever it has been presented. Propaganda and axe-grinding have no place in its scheme of things. Shakespeare’s slogan “The play’s the thing,” is the only one that counts with them. In his company he is extremely fortunate in being associated with an extremely able coterie of artists. Frances Kayher, the tall, graceful girl, who will be seen in his juvenile leads, plays with skill and the charm that comes from youth, and a strongly developed dramatic instinct. Helen Fergus is a thoroughly experienced actress who has ranged the whole gamut of dramatic expression. Gwen Dorise and Aline Dunn are first-class performers in their lines. Of the men, Ronald Riley and Maurice Lynch are comedians of vast experience in both light and broad comedy respectively, Charles Keegan, Lester Carey, Tom Buckley and Bernard Beeby, are character actors of ripe experience. The costuming and mounting of “Mother Machree” are typical of the period and the orchestral arrangements are in the hands of Percy Kehoe. The plans for “Mother Machree” open at The Bristol on Wednesday, November 4.

GRAND SPECTACULAR DEMONSTRATION. SOUTHLAND SCHOOL OF DANCING. ' Dancing has been a favourite amusement in all ages, and has, by means of pantomimic action, been the vehicle of expressing sacred and fastive joy, exultation at victory, or warlike determination before setting out to battle. Dancing was known to the ancient Egyptians, as the Egyptian hieroglyphic for dancing was a figure with one foot up in much the same manner as one would represent a man dancing the Highland Fling. The Southland School of Highland and Classic Dancing, which was established 22 years ago by Mr Alexander Sutherland, has from year to year, given the public of. Invercargill some very fine examples of this ancient art, and this year’s demonstration which takes place in the Municipal Theatre on Wednesday and Friday of next week, promises to be better than its predecessors. Mr Alexander Sutherland and his capable assistant, Miss Mona Betteridge, are busy now on the final rehearsals, and they feel confident that their large army of children will take the stage next week right up to concert pitch. On Wednesday night the school will be assisted by Mrs G. M. Fletcher, soprano, and Mr Leng-Ward, bass, their numbers respectively will be “The Joy Bird,” “Be Brave and Smile,” and “The Vagrant,” and “Homing.” Friday night is what might be termed the “all children’s night,” and will include some very tiny vocalists, chief of which are Alexander Lindsay, 5 years of age, a wee chap with a wonderful clear, tuneful voice, Misses Mira Baty, Cynthie Fletcher, Hazel Flaus and Ray McKenzie, all competition winners. Master Harvey Strang, another bright performer, will infuse the necessary humour. As the day sale of tickets up to date are very heavy, patrons wishing to secure a good seat are advised to book early. The box plan is now open at Beggs Music Warehouse.