ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20220, 4 July 1927, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. JACK LONDON’S ‘ THE CALL OF THE WILD” ALSO “THEN CAME THE WOMAN.” Every lover of dogs and Nature will respond to the tremendous outdoor appeal of “The Call of the Wild,” the picturisation of Jack London’s famous novel, which is at the Albion Theatre to-night. There is a tremendous punch in “The Call of the Wild,” and Buck, a wonderful St. Bernard, supplies the most of it in his fight with a rattlesnake, a battle with one of his own kind, and his famous fifty-mile run through the snow at the head of the pack. There are marvellous snow scenes, bleak wastes and wonderful silhouettes in sky line effect that are the real thing. “The Call of the Wild” is a sincere, sympathetic and intelligent picturisation of the book, and should be enjoyed by all lovers of Jack London’s story. Words can only hint vaguely of the thrills which are contained in “Then Came the Woman,” presented for the first time on Saturday night at the Albion Theatre. Never has the moving screen seen anything more thrilling than the moving panorama of burning forest which is the climax of the picture. Human beings, animals, denizens of the forest run madly before the moving tongues of flame, until the whole forest is a mass of fire, engulfing them all. This fire is an astounding climax for a film which from its- very beginning is a thing of interest. There is no involved story contained in it. It concerns the regeneration of a young lad through faith and kindness, out of which develops a beautiful friend-

ship between the boy and his benefactor, owner of a lumber camp. Then the woman comes into their lives and it is the forest fire which solves the eternal problem, w’hether the older man, to whom she is in honour bound, or the younger man, whom she loves, shall win her. Cullen Landis, as a boy, gives a tremendously sincere performance; he appears to five the part. We can recall no portrayal for many, many weeks which is the equal to this.one. Frank Mayo, as the man, his friend, plays with a depth of feeling which helped to make the many touching scenes between the two ring so true. For the role of the girl we can think of no one w’ho would have been sweeter or more appealing than Mildred Ryan. The part calls for the least artistry of the three principal roles but Miss Ryan’s work is none the less satisfactory because of this. We can recommend, without qualification, “Then Came the Woman.” ALBION TO-MORROW. “MARE NOSTRUM.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s illustrious motion picture, “Mare Nostrum,” which will open at the .Albion Theatre to-morrow, brings with it very high credentials from the capital cities of France, England and America. It is Rex Ingram’s most ambitious production since “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and “The Prisoner of Zenda,” and it is a distinct improvement on both. Filmed in France and Spain from the celebrated novel by Vincente Blasco Ibanez, the new Metro-Mayer picture, “Mare Nostrum,” is saturated with excellent atmosphere whilst telling one of the most sensational stories ever screened. It goes back to the war years on the Mediterranean and exposes the huge espionage system of the Central Powers, at the same time bringing into tfie limelight the strange romance of an Austrian spy and a captain of the Spanish merchant service. The seaman had been lured into serving in a ruthless submarine campaign by the wiles of the spy before she learned that she really loved him. From that moment it is an unbroken sequence of sensational tragedy. Alice Terry and Antonio Moreno are featured in “Mare Nostrum,” and they are supported by a cast of players which includes the names of some of the most distinguished players of France, Spain and Italy. The original music score for a full orchestra accompanies the picture. Plans are on view at the Bristol, or reservations can be made by ringing the Albion Theatre direct No. 738. CIVIC PICTURES. WARNER FABIAN’S “SUMMER BACHELORS” AND ‘THE POPULAR SIN.” Two piquant comedy films are featured on the new programme at the Civic, which is sure to be widely discussed, particularly by the ladies. How does poor hubby spend his leisure hours while his wife is away on her vacation? This question is answered in a very interesting and entertaining manner in “Summer Bachelors.” Based on War-

ner Fabian’s sensational novel of the same name, this highly diverting film promises to surpass the novel in popular esteem. The story deals with those husbands who dive for telephone booths to call up their favourite blondes as soon as their wives step on the outgoing train. The beautiful Madge Bellamy is one of the blondes in

“Summer Bachelors” so there is some excuse for the tempted husband in the story. A cast of outstanding stars support Miss Bellamy, including Allan Forrest, in the role of Tony Landor, the only real bachelor in the story. Matt Moore in the part of

Walter Blakely is a typical summer bachelor, however, while Leila Hyams is the

summer girl. Hale Hamilton, Charles Winninger, Walter Catlett and Cosmo Bellew are other well-known stars of the stage and screen who are bachelors, for the summer only. Olive Tell plays the highly diverting

role of the wife who has gone to the country but who knows her husband's weakness for pretty girls. All in all, “Summer Bachelors” is one of those rare combinations of cast, story and direction, which go to make up a nearly perfect picture and perfect entertainment. This is one film you should not miss. “The Popular Sin” is another bright and piquant comedy. The title is one to arouse a great deal of curiosity, for in this changing age of ours it would be hard to define immediately which particular transgression could be classed as the most popular. An intriguing

story is unfolded under the direction of Mai. St. Clair, one of the younger directors who has never yet been associated with a failure. He always gets away from the conventional ideas and reveals something new. The story, too, is by Monta Bell, another versatile individual who has never yet missed. Then the stars include Florence Vidor (whose charming personality grows more charming with each appearance), Clive Brook and Gretta Nissen. Take all these factors into consideration and you have a delightful evening’s entertainment guaranteed. And so it proves to be. “THE GEISHA.” SIDNEY JONES’ COMIC OPERA. GALA OPENING TO-NIGHT. At the Municipal Theatre to-night the Invercargill Amateur Operatic Society will give the first of several performances of Sidney Jones’ two-act comic opera, ‘The Geisha,” to what promises to be a packed house. The cast is a particularly strong one, including such well-known artists as Mrs Percy Frampton, Misses Ruby Helm, Maisie Cardno, Isabel Maxwell and Messrs A. Credgington, J. R. Haigh, A. W. Kummert, W. Drummond, C. Trim and B. S. Hammonds. The chorus should prove distinctly good, while the orchestra, under the able directorship of Mr D. W. McKay, should be a feature of the production. The entire performance is on a most lavish scale, there is not a dull moment from the rise to the fall of the curtain, and the audience will be kept in a happy mood throughout the evening. The production is under the direction of Mr J. R. Haigh, the ballet mistress is Miss Mona Betteridge, and the special lighting effects are in the hands of Messrs Little and Colbran. Owing to the extreme length of the programme the overture will commence at 7.45 p.m. sharp, and patrons are asked to be in their seats at that time.

The box plans for the four nights’ season are now open at The Bristol, and patrons are advised to book early and avoid disappointment. Dav sales at Mrs Gawn’s.