PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 May 1927, Page 13

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

“THE SILENT SHEIK” When Count Pierre. Tornai squandered his fortune and his honour in riotous living, he was faced with two alternatives—suicide, or the Foreign Legion. Of the two evils he chose the latter, and the result is "The Silent Sheik,” screened at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres last evening. Lieutenant Tornai —one of the strong silent type, lie does his best to redeem the indiscretions of his youth. Saving beautiful girls and throwing real live sheiks in the air comes all in his day’s work. Incidentally, he also saves the garrison; in fact, does everything a modern hero should, crowning his achievements by quite properly spurning the advances of a very attractive dancing girl who would bestow herself upon him after the fashion of her interesting, but decidedly unconventional race.

For the scenario writer, the French Foreign Legion offers untold possibilities, and in “The Silent Sheik,” as in “Beau Geste,” the romance attached to this famous fighting force is utilised to full advantage. It is full of interest and excitement, and even, if at times a “little far-fetched,” it is all very entertaining.

Milton Sills has the leading role, and with him in a strong supporting cast is Viola Dana, Natalie Kingston and Montagu Love, while in good comedy parts, Charlie Murray, and Arthur Stone are well cast. As a prologue, an Eastern dance nicely executed by Lorna Kay, lent an appropriate tone.

“Everybody’s Acting,” a comedydrama fe»aturing Ford Sterling and Betty Bronson, dealing with an old but ever-interesting theme —life behind the scenes—is a delightful little story, admirably enacted. Pleasing variety is added to this week’s Princess and Tivoli programmes by the inclusion on the bill of Lon Baker. a successful laugh-getting comedian, and the Princess Sunbeams, a versatile little troupe whose singing and dancing provides a pleasant opening to a good variety entertainment.