ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. There should be an extraordinarily busy time ahead of the Civic management during the currency of the new programme which opens to-night, for good news travels fast and already there is much talk about the piquant French comedy “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter” which heads the bill. A picture of exceptionally wide appeal, this sparkling French comedy will be on for three nights only. For a comedy to embrace practically every phase of entertainment is an artistic accomplishment few plays are capable of boasting, but such is the altitude this picture has attained. Primarily and obviously comedy romance of that sophisticated type which is peculiarly French, the picture has faint, subtle shades of a deeper passion, a light pathos that, while never obviating the comedy element, essentially increases the intrinsic worth of the story. No romance, even if it is purposely light, is faultless if there is not something more solid than laughs in it, and “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter,” although a piquant and amusing story, has a solidity of foundation which ensures its success. The story, from the pen of Alfred Savoir, is purely an original, with a Continental vcive and snap, and a daring sophistication that only a French play could possibly have. A new plot, developed from an entirely new angle, flashing with clever and amusing subtitles, replete with a wealth of humorous incidents, the whole delightful picture becomes a classic of wit and romance. Everything about the play is in obvious good taste, from the minutest detail to the most important aspects. It is lavishly mounted and beautifully costumed and directed with a subtle craftsmanship that characterises European drama. Playing the duchess is lovely Florence Vidor, regal and alluring, a seductive mixture of repelling hauteur and enticing coquetry. Adolphe Menjou, immaculate, suave, exquisitively polished in his every action, is the waiter, a novel, intriguing role to which he brings the full powers of his mature characterisation. There is no flaw in this picture. It is all so beautifully done that it is perfectly safe for everyone to see—and all will enjoy it. Fans will also find something very much to their liking in Buck Jones’ latest, “A Man Four Square.” This story, which deals with western life, gives the popular Fox star a picture full of suspense and action. The picture was directed from the story of William McLeod Raine, one of the foremost writers of western fiction. “A Man FourSquare” deals with a westerner who goes to Chicago for a whirl at life. But after experiencing synthetic gayety and artificial friends, he realises that his heart is really in the west where his true friends are. He returns to the west just in time to help a friend who is in trouble and also breaks up a gang of cattle rustlers who are operating in the country. He makes a spectacular rescue of the girl with whom he later falls in love. This picture gives Jones an opportunity to show the west as it really is. The supporting cast includes Florence Gilbert, Harry Woods, William Lawrence, Jay Hunt, Sidney Bracey, Marion Harlan and Frank Beal. The supports on this programme will be found to be unusually interesting and amusing. It should not be necessary to say: Books seats early.

ALBION THEATRE.

“THE SET UP” AND “THE HAPPY ENDING.” Being thrown by bucking broncos until he couldn’t move proved good training for a movie career in the case of Art Acord star of “The Set Up,” the Blue Streak Western which opens at the Albion to-day. Although he is a horseman of exceptional merit Acord had to go through the trying period when almost any beast could throw him. Having broken scores of horses and having been thrown violently at times, Acord became hardened to falls until he is no longer jarred by a rough contact with Mother Earth. But he has been able to handle any horse given him for many years and the only falls he now experiences are those called for by the script of his starring vehicles. His big worry is to make the falls look real. Wagon wrecks are called for frequently as in “The Set Up.” In this picture Acord is handcuffed to the seat of the wagon when it pitches off a mountain road and rolls over, pinning him underneath. In the crash Acord was no more hurt than a fall from a horse, yet the effect, photographically is of a severe crash perilous to life and limb. “I attribute my not being hurt to the fact that I struck on my shoulder,” stated Acord. “That is an old trick of cow-punchers. Usually there isn’t time to think of anything in actual practice but in movie work we know ahead of time when a fall is coming. The director tells us when.” In the supporting cast are Alta Allen, Jack Quinn, Thomas Lingham, Montague Shaw, Harry Royer, Jess Deffebach, William Welsh, Jimsy Boudwin, Hank Bell and “Spike” Spackman. Another feature which has its initial screening at the Albion to.-day is a Master Picture entitled “The Happy Ending.” This is a domestic drama with a most unusual story, in which Jack Buchanan and Fay Compton occupy the leading roles. In addition, there will be screened another of the deservedly popular Century comedies, entitled ‘There She Goes,” featuring Wanda Wiley. Plans are at The Bristol Piant) Company, or reservations can be made by ’phoning the Albion Theatre 'direct, No. 738. J. C. WILLIAMSON’S COMIC OPERA CO. ‘THE GONDOLIERS” AND ‘THE MIKADO.” The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, of over 80 artists, which is to present “The Gondoliers” here on Thursday, November 11, and “The Mikado” on Friday, November 12, recently enjoyed the most successful season ever known in Auckland, and this result was more than equalled in both Wellington and Christchurch, where every known record was broken. To the older generation of playgoers the revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan works will come in the light of a real treat, whilst to the younger generation they will prove a revelation, as for clever and witty dialogue, brilliant stage

settings, original comedy and exquisite music the works of the famous collaborators have never been equalled. On the opening night the company will stage the magnificent and charming comic opera, ‘The Gondoliers,” and on the second night “The Mikado,” unquestionably two of the most popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. For the past twelve months the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management has been scouring England for artists, with the result that the present organisation is said to be the most powerful' combination of comic opera stars that has yet appeared in the works of the beloved collaborators. Amongst those who will make their first appearance here will be Miss Winifred Williamson, who is said to be the finest exponent of the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in ‘The Gondoliers” and of Katisha in ‘The Mikado” that London and Australia has ever known. Messrs Bernard Manning (baritone and comedian) and Leo Darnton (a brilliant singer) come with big reputations won in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in England. Mr Charles A Walenn is already well and popularly known to New Zealand playgoers, as he was the leading comedian of the last Gilbert and Sullivan company that appeared here. Miss Strella Wilson is said to be the finest soprano that Australia has yet produced. Others in the east will include John Ralston, Miss Patti Russell (soprano), Miss Mabel Gibson (contralto), and Mr Lance Fairfax (baritone!. Mr James Hay, the tenor, was one of the outstanding figures in the previous Gilbert and Sullivan Company that appeared here. The operas were produced by Miss Minnie Everett, and a full operatic orchestra and chorus is under the baton of Gustave Slapoffski. The box plans will be opened at The Bristol Piano Co. for both “The Gondoliers” and ‘The Mikado” on Tuesday, November 9.