ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20203, 14 June 1927, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. LAST NIGHT OF JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD’S “THE COUNTRY BEYOND” AND “EVERYBODY’S ACTING.” There is another excellent programme at the Civic just now. Pride of place is given “The Country Beyond”, the cinema version of James Oliver Curwood's widely-read novel bearing the same title. When we think of James Oliver Curwood we naturally think of the great north woods. In this picture, however, we not only have a thrilling story of the outdoors, but also an alluring drama of Broadway night life, replete with fascinating femininity. Beautiful Olive Borden has the greatest role of her career, first as the gorgeous, untamed beauty of the woodland and later as the magnificent dancer who brought her feet to Broadway and brought Broadway to her feet. The women will marvel at the lavish displays of gorgeous gowns and magnificent settings and the men will enjoy the virile drama of the primeval wilderness. “The Country Beyond” is a triumph for Director Irving Cummings and a distinct achievement for every member of the cast Marshall Neilan’s latest for Paramount, “Everybody’s Acting,” is a delightful story of backstage life, which while presenting all the romance and comedy associated with that side of theatrical life which the public rarely sees but about which it is always innately curious, has a strong undercurrent of humanity which brings a lump to the throat. A prologue shows a band of touring dramatic players. Included in the cast is husband and wife, the latter with her tiny child. The husband is a drunkard and is insanely jealous of his wife. He neglects her, but other members of the company do not, and he misunderstands the perfectly innocent attentions of one man. In a burst of rage he pulls a revolver. The shot intended for the man hits the wife, and the little one is left an orphan. Four male members of the troupe, together with the editor of the local paper, constitute themselves the guardians of the child and so instruct and educate her that she is, after the passing of years, able to take her place as lead in the company. When she meets a chauffeur, she falls in love with him. The latter is the son of wealthy parents, and his present vocation is for the purpose of getting local colour for a literary story. The boy’s mother strongly objects to her son marrying an actress, and she hits upon an idea where the boy is to be spirited to Japan. Just how the four foster fathers outwit the mother, and bring the latter to a realisation of her responsibility, is cleverly told in the final reels, which bring a most likeable story to a successful conclusion. There are some very clever and hilarious situations throughout. The supporting programme too, is excellent. ALBION THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF CAPTAIN FRANK HURLEY’S “THE JUNGLE WOMAN,” ALSO “PRISONERS OF THE STORM.” Perhaps the most startling of the numerous thrills in “The Jungle Woman,” Captain Frank Hurley’s tropical photoplay, and a Master Picture, to be screened for the last time to-night at the Albion Theatre, is the arresting scene where Hurana, the jungle woman, in attempting to save the man she loves, is bitten by a deadly venomous snake. Miss Savieri, who plays the name part, confesses that this scene, although there was very little danger attached to it, filled her with such fear that she was some time rehearsing it. Of all the exciting sequences, she considered it was the worst. Even when she was surrounded by dancing natives, she expressed very little fear —but mention the word “snakes” and she will shudder reminiscently. She’s had enough experience with them to run a side-show. You know the kind of thing. Another thrilling and high-geared story from the pen of James Oliver Curwood has been made for motion pictures in “Prisoners of the Storm,” the Universal-Jewel, which also finishes its season to-night at the Albion. Criminals are tracked through blizzards by dauntless North-west mounted police; heroes and heroines are trapped by avalanches and imperilled in snowslides. A gigantic snowslide which wrecks a cabin and traps its inmates like flies in a spider’s web Is the big scene of the picture. It has been ingeniously staged, and carries a menace so realistic that one feels as though he, too, were caught in that tiny cabin. House Peters is ideal as the rugged hero of the Curwood story, and is the same dashing, dominant personality which has made him one of the screen’s foremost actors. Peggy Montgomery is charming as the heroine, and shows no ordinary ability as an actress. Walter McGrail, Harry Todd, Clark Comstock, Fred De Silver, Lillian Nicholson and others give convincing performances in the supporting roles. The two Campbell boys open to-mor-row, heading a tremendous bill of pictures and vaudeville, and patrons of the Albion are certain to be again treated to something worth while. Prices will not be altered. RENEE KELLY. FAMOUS ENGLISH ACTRESS TO VISIT INVERCARGILL. Renee Kelly, the English comedy star, will make her first appearance to Invercargill audiences in a repertoire of sparkling comedies, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., commencing a limited season of three nights at the Municipal Theatre ■ next Monday, June 20. Miss Renee Kelly j has won all hearts by her fascinating and charming personality and her wonderful gift of comedy. With this actress are a number of well-known London players, who will also make their first appearance here. Everybody interested in the stage has heard of the remarkable success achieved by Miss Kelly in “Daddy Long Legs.” After having played this part for eighteen months in America she went to London and continued in the role for more than 500 performances :at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Altogether she has played it more than 2,000 times. This actress has portrayed many kinds of parts, ranging from strong drama 'to farcical comedy, but will make her first : appearance here as Polly in “Polly with a i Past.” The Invercargill season will open I with “Polly with a Past,” to be followed by the “Last of Mrs Cheyney” and “Brown i Sugar.” The Otago Daily Times states: — ' London actors and actresses of the very first-rank and—Miss Kelly may rightly ' claim to be one of their number—are, unfortunately, sparing in their visits to New Zealand. In the recent past Dunedin greeted Gertrude Elliott, and on a later occasion Irene Vanbrugh charmed theatregoers of the Dominion with her polished artistry. And now has come Renee Kelly, of London, worthily upholding the highest traditions of the green room. With her cultured charm, ; low whimsical voice, and effortless poise, l she cast a spell over last evening’s audience, i and took the lion’s share in making “Polly i with a Past” a completely entertaining play, i Besides being the possessor of appealing beauty, she has the ability to wear wonderful clothes just as they should be worn, and the applause that followed her every appearance was punctuated wtih sighs of delight from the ladies. The box plans for the Invercargill season will open next Thursday at the Bristol.