ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20527, 2 July 1928, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. “BLAKE OF SCOTLAND YARD” (HAYDEN STEVENSON), “SURRENDER” MARY PHILBIN AND IVAN MOSJUKINE) AND “WOLF FANGS.” After a period of comedy subjects the Civic Pictures management presented on Saturday a sterling programme in which drama, mystery and thrills predominate. A new and enthralling phase of the great war is depicted in “Surrender!”, the Universal Jewel production. Mary Philbin and Ivan Mosjukine are the ,co-stars. This is Mosjukine’s first American production, although he is known to picture fans for his splendid work in “Michael Strogoff,” a Film de France production, which was released by Universal in this country. The story is laid on the border of Russia and Austria and deals with the love of a little peasant girl for a mighty Russian prince, commander of invading troops. How she tamed his arrogance through a purifying love makes an emotional masterpiece, while for those who love action there are plenty of unusual material and colourful atmosphere when the town is invaded by the Russians and then recaptured by a counter-attack of the Austrians. From every angle the dog picture, “Wolf Fangs,” provides fine wholesome entertainment that is sure to appeal to every one who sees it. The dog, Thunder, which is starred, gives an exceptionally fine performance, demonstrating his almost human understanding and ability to act. The human cast is very well chosen. The boy, Charles Morton, wins the audience with his ready smile and easy manners from the first, and the girl, Caryl Lincoln, creating an overwhelming sympathy through her down-trodden poverty. James Gordon, as the heavy, gives his usual fine and understanding characterization, and Frank Rice relieves the strain of many a situation with his comedy. The plot of the story surrounds a situation developing from the regeneration of a police dog puppy who has been raised among wolves. His return to civilization through his adoration for the girl, Ellen, is the motive of the story. A picture that is sure to create widespread interest as time goes on is “Blake of Scotland Yard” in which Hayden Stevenson of “Leather Pushers” fame plays the part of Blake, the detective who confounds his enemies and solves a mysterious crime with an astuteness worthy of such a well known and popular figure in fiction. POPULAR PICTURES. FLORENCE VIDOR AND CLIVE BROOK IN “AFRAID TO LOVE,” AND BEBE DANIELS AS “THE PALM BEACH GIRL.” Marie Tempest and Grahame Browne will always be associated with pleasant memories to local theatregoers, especially in their presentation of “The Marriage of Kitty,” one of the most delightful comedies brought to the stage. Under the new title of “Afraid to Love,” the comedy is improved one hundred per cent, and Florence Vidor —“the orchid of the screen” has many opportunities for displaying her versatility. Aided by Clive Brook, the eminent actor, this clever duo keep the audience in a pleasant mood throughout the screening; and they are ably supported by Jocelyn Lee, the lady with the flaming tresses. Bebe Daniels is too well known to screen fans to require any lengthy intn-oductian; but in “The Palm Beach Girl,” she thoroughly lives up to her reputation of being the screen’s foremost comedienne. Speed-boating is the principal outdoor sport down Florida way and much of the exciting action of the story deals with Bebe’s experiences in operating a speed boat during a thrilling race. The play is packed full of laughable incidents that will delight young and old alike. The Paramount gazette, an Australian scenic with a rollicking Christie comedy “Wireless Lizzie” provide a popular programme at popular prices. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ‘THE WOMAN TEMPTED” FROM THE NOVEL BY VERA, COUNTESS OF CATHCART, “MONTE CARLO” WITH BETTY BALFOUR AND KINGSFORD SMITH TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHT FILM. Cinema Art Films, Ltd., presented to the patrons on the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night, a rare pictorial jewel—the picturization of Vera, Countess of Cathcart’s famous novel, ‘The Woman Tempted.” This daring yet subtle novel is now in its fifth edition and in its transference from the printed page to silver sheet it has lost nothing of its intriguing drama. Nina Vanna, Malcolm Tod, and Joan Morgan prove excellent foils for the powerful acting of the two stars, Warwick Ward and Juliette Compton. ‘The Woman Tempted” is a picture which we heartily endorse as typifying the whirl of modern life, and while it doesn’t beat about the bush, it handles judiciously what would otherwise be termed by the captious and crude a very “warm theme.” “Monte Carlo” also on this programme features “England’s Mary Pickford,” Betty Balfour, who portrays the jealous little secretary with her usual charm; Carlyle Blackwell plays the fairy godfather with only a year to live; and Louis Allibert, as the young artist, who forgets his little sweetheart in his love affair with Madame Fontano. But let Betty, the “jealous little secretary” tell you how nearly love was to end in tragedy at the Majestic Theatre. In addition there was screened an exclusive news reel of the Kingsford Smith Trans-Pacific flight. “Radio’s sins were forgiven when we ran into a real live thrill at 10.30 on Saturday,” stated a man recently arrived in the Dominion from Sydney. “A crooked alley, a tobacconist’s shop, a handful of people around a loud speaker outside, listening to an excited broadcaster as he told of Kingsford Smith’s arrival in Brisbane, 800 miles away. One last swoop of the Southern Cross and . . . ‘He’s here! They’ve gone mad; The ground is black with people! Look at ’em! Look. Hats in the air! Now he’s . . .’ But the rest was drowned by cheers that filled the crooked alley.’**