ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1927, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. LEWIS STONE IN SPANISH ROMANCE, Spain—land of golden sunlight, flashing eyes, tempestuous love— forms a background for ‘'The" Girl from Montmartre,” which, will ba shown for the last time at Everybody's thea/tre tonight. Gripping as was the novel, “Spanish Sunlight,” from which the picture was adapted, the screen version, with the popular Lewis Stone heading a specially selected cast, atiords a deal more of intensity to the many situations that call for artistry on the part of tlie players. The story unwinds to a climax that intensifies that of the novel a hundredfold. Screened in support of this flue production are a Graphic news reel, a cartoon, and the fifth reel of the Polar flight scenic. Attention is directed to the announcement that “The Girl from Montmarte” will not be shown at this afternoon’s matinee, the screen being filled by Valentino’s last and latest romance “The Son of the Sheik.” Monday’s change of programme will present Lon Chaney, the greatest of all character actors, in his supreme triumph, the vitally and essentially different mystery play “The'Unholy Three.” THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE. “THE SEVENTH BANDIT”—HARRY CAREY. The name of Harry Carey in the east of a picture is a positive assurance of plenty of striking action, and “Tlie Seventh Bandit” is packed chock-full of stirring situations. Tiie story is a highly romantic out telling of the seeking for and discovery of an elusive streak of rich gold-bearing ore, and the eclien/es of a band of robbers intent upon plunder, Carey to frustrate the plots of these villains joins up with them and becomes the seventh bandit. How he balks their evil intentions and battles gamely through to victory' provides a tensely exciting drama which’ finishes with a stirring climax. Episode 6 of “The Winking Idol” is also shown and with the other supporting films are two splendid ‘'’Sunshine” comedies. THE OPERA HOUSE. “THE SON OF THE SHEIK." Rudolph Valentino’s last picture, “The Son of the Sheik,” made for United Artists, is to be shown again this afternoon at Everybody’s theatre and for the last time at the Opera House this evening. Being a sequel to “The Sheik,” the film that brought him fame, this production is situated in the same romantic desert, brings to the screen the same sweeping lover, tells just such another fascinating story as the picture that gripped and held the world a few years ago. Vilma Banky, the charming Hungarian actress, plays in support of Valentino, and the two are as deeprative a pair as ever graced the silver sheet. Seats may be reserved at Colliers or by telephone at Opera House this evening. At the Opera House on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next, the great epic war film “Ypres” will be presented. At .its first showing in Christchurch some litle time ago, this picture created profound interest,' on account of its being a genuine reproduction of pictures taken during the storming, and siege of the Ypres salient. Thus we see the soldiers in action as they truly were, raids, attacks, counterattacks, captures and the like, al! projected on the, screen as they occurred, in Flanders. Some wonderful feats of personal heroism are recorded, and the human note has not been omitted, the lives of the men behind the lines being shown in all their simple crudeness. “Ypres” is a remarkable achievement along lines never attempted before, and although there is no actual story, it is one of the most impressive tributes ever paid to the i;«nortal dead. Box plans for the seasoif are now open at Collier’s. AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH SILVER BAND. The success attained by Mr. Albert H. Baile and his Australian Commonwealth Silver Band, during their tour around the world (1925-6-7), covering over 50,000 miles of land and sea, and including appearances in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, England, Canada, and U.S.A., may be well imagined by the vast audiences that have gathered to hear this famous combination in its artistic renditions of the most cherished of all arts-music. When playing in England, audiences of 10,000 to 25,000 people in the parks of the principal provincial cities (where the band played under municipal engagements); 6000 people dancing and listening to the band in the famous ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, and many thousands at New Princes and Palm Beach Pleasure Gardens, London, all testify to the immense popularity of the band. In Melbourne, 12,000 people heard the band in the Exhibition Buildings, and in Adelaide, after playing to full capacity houses in the largest theatre there for a week, 15,000 people gathered to hear the final performance in Jubilee Oval. A striking tribute to the popularity of the band in Australia. In South Africa, the same success greeted the Australians. The Johannesburg season terminated with 16,000 people attending the final performance in Joubert Park. In Canada, the Massey Hall, Toronto, and the Palace Theatre, Montreal (both seating over 3000), were filled to overflowing, and in Rochester, New York, the Conventional Hall (with accom-

modation for 4000) was filled continuously, although a season of fourteen consecutive concerts was given. The Australians will play in Pukekura Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 11 and 12, at 8 p.m., and a complete change of programme will be given each night. MUNICIPAL PICTURES. ELTHAM. A glimpse into the life behind the screen —handled with a comedy touch —is afforded film fans in “Her Big Night,” the Uni-versal-Jewel production starring, Laura La Plante, which screens at the Eltham Town Hall this evening. The trials and tribulations of a movie producer and his press agent are humorously depicted in the picture. Einar Hansen, Tully Marshall, Zasu Pitts, Mack Swain, Lee Moran, John Roche, Nat Carr, Cissy Fitzgerald and others are in support of the star. Melville Brown directed. A Zane Grey story picturised by Paramount with absolute fidelity and authenticity, with one of the most notable stellar and supporting casts in screen history and acclaimed by reviewers as one of the most entertaining and thrilling Grey stories to date is the feature attraction at the Eltham Town Hall on Tuesday evening next. “Desert Gold,” concerns itself chiefly with the lawless days at the close of the last century, along the south-western border. Into this seething whirlpool comes the son of a rich man and there he en counters a girl. With her he escapes from bandits into the Painted Desert and amid wild rides, fights, and adventure, finds love and gold. On the same programme is a short feature entitled “Riding, for a King,” an English production featuring Steve Donoghue, the renowned Jockey, and a supporting cast of notable English artists. This is the first number of a series of Special Racing Stories which will be screened on Tuesday evenings for the next few weeks. Each film has been produced entirely in English studios, and Donoghue will be the centre of attraction in the whole of the series, although the supporting cast will be varied. “Mannequin,” the feature attraction on Thursday evening next, is a typical Fannie Hurst story, directed with all of the human touch which the genius of James Cruze is capable of giving it. It is a story of destiny, which causes extraordinary events to come to pass in the lives of ordinary people in a number of walks of life—-from fashionable society to the slums.