ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1927, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ROLLING HOME.” A speedy farce comedy is “Rolling Home,” Reginald Denny's latest picture, which will be presented at Everybody's theatre for 'its final screening at family niglit to-night. Its natural wit is delicious, its furious pace is redolent of mirth, its whole delightful construction is effective, amusing and realistic. This comedian, alone among his fellows, can play in a picture which is, from the story-telling viewpoint, just a flight of fancy, play in it and instil into it an element which immediately converts it into an eminently convincing comedy. It is a pleasant trick of personality and brains, and that is the primary reason why Denny's pictures are so favoured of the picturegoing public. He leads one to think that, although the story is frankly farcical, it could quite easily happen to him. And so he proceeds along his riotous course of merriment. No situation is too ludicrous, no motive too nonsensical, no comic “gag” too tunny for this happy-go-lucky actor. In '■Rolling Home” he has a role which is peculiarly suited to him. It is primarily funny, then it is humorous, its purely comic aspect appears last; it is even faintly touched with drama, and it is hilariously, vociferously thrilling. The supporting films are in keeping with the diverting character of the big picture and include an amusing Century comedy and another diverting “Go-Get-ters” story entitled “Who's Hooligan?” THE PEOPLE’S THEATRE. “NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET. “Never the Twain Shall Meet,” based upon Jeter B. Kyne's romance of California and the .South Seas, will be presented at The People’s theatre for the last time to-night. The greater part of the picture was made in Tahiti, with' numerous backgrounds and native scenes taken on the island of Moorea, which is one of the less civilised of the South Seas group. The production is lavish in the extreme, and as the picture develops on the screen there is a breadth and freedom, a tropical magic and a pictorial panorama of loveliness that have seldom been caught before by a moving-picture camera. Anita Stewart, in the leading feminine role of Tamea, a half-caste island princess, has neverbeen lovelier nor more bewitching than in the native costume of the South Seas. Bert Lytel, as the young American scion of wealth and social position, who gives up his ambitions, his mode of living and his wealth for the halfcaste girl, has an unusual opportunity for displaying his powers of character delineation. A hugely entertaining comedy' is screened in support of this lavishly splendid production which should again draw a crowded house for the final presentation to-night. To-mor-row's change of programme will be. headed by' “How Baxter Butted In” played by Matt Moore. OPERA HOUSE TO-MORROW. RUDOLPH VALENTINO. Burning loves and bitter hates of the desert form the highly-diramatic material from which the big film commencing to-morrow night at the Opera House is made. Rudolph Valentino, supported by Vilma Banky, the exotic Hungarian beauty, returns to the screen in the same type of role that won him fame and name, that swept the world with its appeal and made the words “sheik” and “Valentino” synonymous. As a gesture of gracious deference. Agnes Ayres, the same charming lady' who resisted the passionate advances of Rudy in that earlier film, returns to the screen in “The Son of the Sheik ’ for “flash-backs” to the first story. It is Valentino’s last film, the one he had completed just before Lis death. “The Son of the Sheik” is a sequel to “The Sheik," written by the same Edith M. Hull and read by millions. The original sheik was content to sweep a lady off her feet with passionate embraces, then talk her into leaving the fogs of old London for the sandstorms and romantic nights of the desert; the sou, however, is a faster worker; he falls in love on sight, gets tangled up with Ms sweetheart’s henchmen, then, in revenge, kidnaps the girl and drags her away to his tent. Valentino makes love, fights and wears colourful costumes in his usual dashing manner. Vilma Banky, his leading lady, is more charming than ever. The supporting cast, including George Fawcett. Montagu Love, Karl Dane, William Donovan, Bull Montana. Agnes Ayres, Erwin Connelly and Charles Requa, is excellent. There arc excellent supports and the orchestra is under the direction of Mr. S. H. Bernard. “The Son of the Sheik” will be at the Opera House until Saturday next and there will be matinees qj Everybody’s theatre on Friday' and Saturday at 2 p.m. Seats may be reserved at Collier’s.

COMMONWEALTH SILVER BAND.

When the steamer “Aorangi” arrived in Auckland on Monday', January 3, Mr. Albert H. Baile and the members of the Australian Commonwealth. Silver Band, who were on board, completed a round-the-world tour. They have visited the principal cities in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, England, Canada and the United States of America, and have had enthusiastic receptions, and have been acclaimed by the Press in various countries visited" to be the finest band ever heard in their respective cities. Music lovers will recall the visit of the band to New Zealand about twelve months ago, and the popularity it gained here through its general standard of efficiency, even though at that time the men had only been together a few weeks Mr. Beaeroft, the manager, states that the band has now played together over seven hundred times during the tour, under Mr. Baile’s able guidance, with the result that constant playing together has made the team work of the combination equal to the finest in the world. Arrangements have been completed for Mr. Baile and his men to play in Pukekura Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. New and complete changes of programme (excepting a few of the old favourites) will be given at each performance. The band will remain in New Zealand about six weeks, and will visit the principal cities, and will then return to its native shores.