ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “THE MAN ON THE BOX,’’ Strutting the stage in female garb would appear to b» the favourite avocation of Syd. Chaplin, the delightful comedian of whom patrons have the liveliest recollections for his ludicrous antics. in “Charley's Aunt,” in which he created such uproarious mirth during his eventful masquerade as a lady. “The Man on the Box,” although a comedy of distinct originality and fundamentally different from Charley’s Aunt,” has one point in common with the latter. Again the gallant hero dons the elegant attire of ladies,"and struts, a maid of flirtatious mein, through reels of hilarious escapades and badinage of purest wit. It is invariably difficult to evolve a successful comedy out of a very complicated plot, but it has indisputably been done in this picture. This programme is remarkable for the screening of two full-length comedies, the other being “The Palm Beach Girl,” with Bebe Daniels. It is a mixture of mirth and action, and is one of the most refreshing screen offerings. Bebe is a little country girl who arrives in Palm Beach in answer to an advertisement from her wealthy aunts, and falls into a wild turmoil of adventures that are provocative of swift, exciting action and thrills galore. Speed boat racing?, one of the most exciting of outdoor sports to be found anywhere, forms the background for many of the spectacular scenes. Everybody’s orchestra are featuring*this week “You Ought to Know,” a new fox trot arranged by Mr. Chas. H. Fox. Seats for the last two screenings of this splendid comedy offering should be reserved at Collier’s. THE PEOPLE’S THEATRb. HOOT GIBSON IN COMEDY; Hoot Gibson, in the most entertaining of Western pictures, is gracing the screen at The People’s theatre to-night. The picture is “The Man in the Saddle,” a Universal-Jewel production in which the popular star has ample opportunity to exhibit his ability, not only as a Westerner and a dare-devil rider, but as a comedian as well. The picture has a delightful light comedy plot, with scores of screamingly funny situations. Gibson is a comedy cowboy who continually finds himself in embarrassing and untenable positions because of his love of heroics. The supporting cast is exceptionally good, and gives Gibson valuable aid in making the picture a presentation of unadulterated entertain-

meat. Fay Wray, with her charming personality and her refreshing youth and vivacity, makes a lovely leading woman. Sally Long plays a second lead !n » finished manner and Clark Comstoek is a thoroughly personable villain. A big supporting programme includes two comedies, Wanda Wiley being starred in a sure-fire two-reeler.