ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1926, Page 20

ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

OPERA June 12.—“ Daddy's Gone A Hunting.” Metro Goldwyn Films. June 14.—New Plymouth Male Choir Society. June 17 and 19.—The English Futurists. June 21.—“ The Phantom of the Opera.” Universal’s Giant Special. June 26.—“ Revelation.” Metro Goldwyn Films. June 28 to 20.—“ The Navigator,” (Buster Keaton special picture). July 2 and 3. —J. C. Williamson Ltd. (pencilled). July 10.—Denis Kehoe Co., “The Man from Toronto.” July 17.—J. C. Williamson Ltd. (Pencilled). July 19. —“Girl Shy,” (Harold Lloyd Master comedy). July 27. —N.P. Choral Society Arthur Jordan Concert. July 28, 29, 30. —“Sally of the Sawdust” (D. W. Griffith special). August 2.—“ The Eagle” (Rudolph Valentino), United Artists’ Special Picture. August 9.—“ Recompense,” 'Master special. EVERYBODY'S. June 12.—“ Clothes Make the Pirate” (IFirst. National). June 14 to 16.—“ Those Who Judge” (Universal). June 17 to 19.—“ What Fools Aten” (First National). June 21 to 23. —“Under Western Skies” (Universal), June 24 to 26. —“The Unguarded Hour” (First National) and. Ronnie and Monty. June 28 to 30.—“'Triple Action” (Universal). July 1 to 3.—“ The Scarlet Saint” (First National). THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE. June 12 to 14.—“ The Dixie Merchant” (Fox); “Samson of the Circus,” Universal Giant Serial, Chapter 1. June 15 and 16.—“ The Firebrand” (Franklan Farnum), Exhibitors’ Alliance Films. June 17 and 18.—“ What a Wife Learned” (Master pictures). June 29 and 21. —“The Way of a Girl” and “Samson of the Circus,” Serial 2. Two of the screen’s foresomst comedians are to be seen in ‘’'Under Western Skies,” a Universal Jewel attraction. They are Eddie Gribbon, the screen’s most popular “burglar” and Harry Todd, veteran comedian of the screen and stage. Norman Kerry is cast in the leading role, with Anne Cornwall playing opposite him. It is asserted by ranchmen who have seen an advance showing of “What a Wife Learned” —a Master Picture—that the cattle stampede, one of the spectacular scenes of the picture, is without doubt the most realistic thing of its kind ever caught by a motion picture camera. * « * * The English Futurists are due at the Opera House next week, and this talented and jolly companw should not be missed by New Plymouth theatregoers. Their offering is bright and clever,, clean and well-dressed. Modern scenery and lighting effects; a sprightly ballet and a speciality orchestra make it a show which can claim to be one of the foremost of touring combinations on the road, at the moment. * * * * Lon Chaney, star of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Universal’s spectacular successor to “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” is proof that hard work usually makes the star. To-day he is perhaps the most famous character actor on the screen. But for years he was a comedian and singer in musical comedy. And his entrance into pictures wasn't _ a burst of glory but a slow and tedious climb of 'big and strenuous effort and devotion to the task in hand. * * * * Erie V. Conway, the genial touring manager of “The English (Futurists,” before taking over the reins of management, was a performer himself. He was the “straight” man of the English comedy team of Conway and. Beecham, who were imported by Sir Benjamin Fuller for his chain of theatres, and were very popular over that circuit some two years ago. * # * * A thrilling race —a simple, human story—a wonderful ease —all of these will be found in “The Dixie .Merchant,” Fox Films production featuring J. Farrell MacDonald, Madge Bellamy, and. Jack Mulhall now at the People’s Theatre. “Clothes Make the Pirate” is a firstrate comedy with that clever comedian, Leon Errol, as the most timid man in the town. But, like most timid men, he longs to do the dare as a swashbuckling, blood-dripping pirate, such as exist

in the “shockers” he loves to read. Tidd's opportunity conies when he overhears some bearded ruffians in a hotel bar planning a piratical cruise. He returns home, dons a suit of pirate’s clothes, and, being caught in them by his wife, is chased out of the house, and hides in a boat. When the real pirates come along he is taken for the leader they expect, and assumes command of the vessel, in which capacity he is able to do heroic things without anyone suspecting his timidity.

Not since the day of Flaubert, the father of realism in fiction, has marriage been mirrored under the microscopic pen of an author with greater fidelity than 'Master Picture's new screen drama “What a Wife Learned.”

Joe Bonomo. world’s strongest man, says that most of us dig our graves with our teeth. A giant in stature, and able to perform almost incredible feats of strength, he eats less than a small child, and lives mostly on vegetable diet. This sensation among atliletis is featured in the sensational new Adventure Picture, “Samson of the Circus,” the first episode of which is now playing at the People’s Theatre. Louise Lorraine has the feminine lead. Slim Cole, Robert Seiter, Sam Polo and Robert J. Graves also support, under Jay Marchant's direction.

Shirley Mason has an ideal role in First National’s new picture, “What Fools Men,” at Everybody’s Theatre next week. She appears as a madcap daughter of an eccentric inventor who scandalises her society friends by eloping with her father’s chauffeur. Lewis Stone plays the father role.

Alice Joyce and Percy Marmont, at the head of a ‘big east which includes Helena D'Algy, Ford Sterling, Holmes Herbert and Edythe Chapman, are a feature of the new Frank Borzago' production, “Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting,” which screens to-night only at the Opera House. This Metro-Goldwyn picture is an adaptation of Zoe Atkins’ famous stage success.

Giorgi Correlli, the wonder tenor with the English Futurists, has received many tempting oilers whilst in New Zealand to sever his connection with that company, but he professes himself to be quite satisfied. “We’re a machine,” he says, “and I’m a cog and I’m not going to throw the machine out of order; 'besides, I’m happy, -so why worry. Good for you, Giorgi.”

Ronnie and Monty, two bright vaudeville entertainers who . appeared a few months ago at Everybody’s Theatre, are to play a return season shortly.

“Under Western Skies,” the UniversalJewel production which is announced for screening at Everybody’s, introduces Norman Kerry to the screen as a “western” star. Usually the sleek, wellgroomed hero, Kerry appears in most of this one as a farm labourer, and also demonstrates his ability as a cow-pun-cher in many riding scenes. The cast also includes Anne Cornwall, George Fawcett, Kathleen Key, Ward Crane, Eddie Gribbon, Charles K. French, Harry Todd and others.

“Those Who Judge” is a romantic melodrama, based on Margery Land May’s famous novel, published under the title, “Such As Sit In Judgment,” and is replete with thrills and suspense. It deals with the danger of being too quick to judge the motives and acts of others and presents a vivid romance. Produced with an all-star east, headed iby Patsy Ruth Miller and Lou Tellegen, by Banner Productions, Inc., under the direction of Burton King, “Those Who Judge” possesses all the elements of the best entertainment quality.

That man Milton Sills changes personality so fast these days that movie fans have a hard time keeping up with him. It seems only yesterday that he was a New York policeman in “The 'Making of O’Malley.” Then he appeared in First National’s New York studio as a prize-fighter in “The Knockout.” Milton Sills is booked to make two appearances on the local screen shortly, first in “What a Wife Learned” and again as an Italian Duke in “The Unguarded Hour,” First National’s latest feature picture.

The English Futurists, who delighted us all with the snappy pot-pourri entertainment in February last, have just signed a contract with the famous Bandmann circuit who control a large circuit of theatres in India. They are due to sail from Perth in October. Before doing so, we are glad to note, and prior to playing a much-requested return engagement at Wellington, they have decided to pay us another visit to the Opera House on Thursday and Saturday next week with an entirely new programme. This event will be eagerly looked forward to. The show possesses the merit of being bright, refined, and, what is more, original.