ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. THE PONY EXPRESS.” A Paramount ten-reel production, “The Pony Express,” opened last night at the Opera House, and proved to be an exceptionally entertaining film. It is a type of picture that appeals to all tastes, Western notwithstanding, for it has none of those too blackly-painted villiains which are, only too often, so lamentable a feature of most Western thrillers. It is a story of the pioneers of the Golden West; but its main mission is to portray the achievements of the riders of the Pony Express, and this it does in ten graphic reels. But “The Pony Express” is infinitely more than a record of courageous exploits, for such would ultimately become tiring. Behind the picture there is a powerful story, dramatic, romantic, profoundly interesting in every respect, and which acts a* a softening tonic to the action of the film. Tfie scenery, though scarcely beautiful, is rugged and grand, fit background for this sterling type of picture, and as the. plot unfolds a more than casual glimpse is afforded of pioneer life in America in the early ’sixties, a life that, although naturally much more hard and dangerous, muse have been similar to that of the early settlers of New Zealand. A fine cast of players appears in the leading roles. Ricardo Cortez, the star, acts with admirable ease. Supporting him are Betty Compson, Ernest Torrence and Wallace Beery, who all give splendid performances, that of Torrence, in a blandly humorous part, being- particularly good. “The Pony Express” is preceded by st Paramount News reel. A fine musical programme is effectively rendered by the Opera House orchestra, under Mr. Syd. H. Bernard’s direction. The programme shows again to-night and finally to-morrow night. Seals may be reserved at Collier’s. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. “GONDOLIERS” AND -MIKADO.',’ This morning at 9 o'clock the box plans will be opened at Collier’s for the magnificent representation by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. incomparable Gilbert and Sullivan Comic- Opera Company of “The Gondoliers,” which is to be staged on Thursday evening next, and for the revival of "The Mikado,” which is to happen on Friday night nest. Both productions will be presented with a east the like of which has never interpreted the works of the famous collaborators before, and they will be staged with new and magnificent dresses and scenery. The company specially organised by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management to present "The Gondoliers” and “The Mikado” includes a number of artists who have made their mark in both Gilbert and Sullivan and other musical plays, viz., Charles A. Walenn, from (he. Gilbert and Sullivan companies at the Savoy, London, as well as musical comedy at the Lyric, and other theatres; Strella Wilson, the brilliant young singer, whose success in Australia with tire Williamson Grand Opera Company, and the last Gilbert and Sullivan revival, will be fresh in the memory of all; James Hay, the young lyric tenor, who is already well known to New Zealand audiences; Sydney Granville, comedian, from the leading London theatres; Leo Darnton, a young baritone, who comes here with a big English reputation; Winifred Williamson, a comedienne of outstanding attainments; Lance Fairfax, baritone; Patti Russell, a youthful lyric soprano; and Mabel Gibson, contralto. Mr. Gustave Slapoffski will be musical director, and tlie producer will be Miss Minnie Everett, who has been associated for years with the Gilbert and Sullivan productions in Australia. A brilliant Australian chorus, which won great praise during the highly successful season in Melbourne, will support the principals. Unfortunately the tour is to J>e a limited one, therefore only two nights can be devoted to the season here, but playgoers will doubtless be glad that the management has selected “The Gondoliers” and “The Mikado,” as they are undoubtedly the most popular of the works of the famous collaborators. THE PEOPLE’S THEATRE. ADOLPHE MENJOU AND FLORENCE VIDOR. A sparkling delicately wrought farcical tale is “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter,” a Paramount release. Adolphe • Menjou and Florence Vidor are the central characters in the fun-filled story, which details tlie exploits of a rich Parisian Beau Brummel, who masquerades as a. waiter in order to be near the outwardly haughty but inwardly emotional Grand Duchess, who has caught his fancy. The ease and sophistication with which Menjou registers bis comedy points stamp him as an actor without peer in the field of Continental characterisation. Miss Vidor, gloriously beautiful in a variety of Paris gowns and the latest French bob. fits the role of the Grand Duchess down to the last dot and dash and is the personification of feminine charm and regal beauty. A topical, educational and a sparkling bubbling comedy, “Monsieur Don't Care,” are shown in support of “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter,” which will be shown for two nights only. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “MY OLD DUTCH.” A big audience was charmed and delighted with "My Old Dutch,” at Everybody’s last night. This is Universal’s all-star presentation, in which May McAvoy, Pat O’Malley, Cullen Landis and Jean Hersholt head a big company of well-known artists. The colourful story of London coster life, with its queer characters, its dramatic climax and the wonderful love story that runs through the plav over a period of forty years, have been graphically transplanted to the screen by Lawrence Trimble, who directed the new spectacle. My Ohl Dutch” is a romantic story, suggested by the famous old song, and deals with the coster or peddler classes, showing a couple whose love centres around a son whom they plan to “make a gentleman.” The strange coster festival and donkey race, an annual London event, some remarkable scenes showing life among the London slums, and contrasted with this brilliant life among London’s aristocracy, all are seen in the story. The characters start as youths, and Gradually grow old. Miss McAvoy, Hersholt, O'Malley and Edgar Kennedy, who plavs the villain, appear m live different'make-ups, depicting different ages as the action of the story proceeds. Ail extra touch of romance is added to the presentation by Mr. Baden Bellringers singing of the. world-famous son* which is the foundation of the story of “Mv Old Dutch.”