ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. “THE MIDNIGHT SUN.” “The Midnight Sun” is glorious entertainment! It sparkles! It Scintillates! It fairly bubbles! And over all it is magnificent and inspiring. Laura La Plante is more winsome and charming than ever, and more, she plays the part of the dancing girl with a fervent and dramatic appeal. Pat O’Malley is perfect in a gem of a role—a glittering Grand Duke. Raymond Keane is the flappers’ newest movie favourite. George Siegmann is as always—the splendid character’ actor. Back of them all is a simple but gripping story. But, brand new and delightfully directed, it will appeal to young and old because it is based on a wonderful love story. The settings are novel and beautiful. The costuming is gay, modern and fresh. The production is magnificent, and will be quoted as a standard for a very long time by reason of the lavish and gorgeous “Ballet of Jewels.” “The Midnight Sun,” to quote an English critic, is 100 per cent, entertainment, and there is little doubt that its farewell presentation to-night will be enjoyed by an overflowing audience. THE PEOPLE'S. LAST NIGHT OF A DOUBLE BILL. 1 An excellent programme of two fine pictures w’ill be shown for the last time will he replaced to-morrow by Jack Lonutt, the champion cowboy of charming personality, is the star of the thrilling adventure romance, “Scar Hanan,” in which he plays a finely heroic role. The second and chief attraction is “Then Came the Woman,” played by Frank Mayo, Cullen Landis and Mildred Ryan. Hard work may be the making of a man, but it takes love and trust to finish the job. That is the spirit of this new photoplay, which is released by Universal. Cullen Landis does exceptional work in this picture, and is cast as the young man who, through love and trust and hard work, finds regeneration. The story is laid in the great north woods and climaxes in a thrilling forest fire. An Empire News and a scenic complete a fine programme, which will be replaced to-morrow by Jack London’s “Call of the Wild,” which introduces the new dog “Buck.” “BEAU GESTE” AT OPERA HOUSE. It is only very rarely the public acclaim a picture in such eulogistic terms as “Beau Geste” has been acclaimed. Nearly always there will be conflicting statements, nearly always a production cannot appeal to all tastes, but “Beau Geste” has swept aside all prejudices, and has been received as one of the greatest, if not, indeed, the greatest, picture ever seen in New Plymouth. Of course, originally, it has a magnificent base to work upon, P. C. Wren’s novel of the same name, which, appearing but a few months ago, has firmly installed itself in the ranks of the outstanding works of literature, and the picture is well worthy of the source that inspired it. While the story may be described as a tragedy, there is altogether too much of glorious sacrifice, and triumphant, if pathetic and futile, accomplishment in the tale, to allow of that ofttimes shallow and sentimental tragedy which accompanies poorer stories and lesser films. But it cannot be called a sad story; the emotions it evokes are those which lie in the heart of every man and woman with lofty ideals, and the tears which instinctively arise are more of pride than sorrow. Mystery of a particularly intriguing nature, drama of a high and exalted colour, romance which is as swiftly- and concisely cut as the rest of the picture, comedy which completes the whole wonderfully human ensemble, are the artistic ingredients which go to make up the entirety of “Beau Geste,” and the whole is characterised by a finesse, a sympathy, an exquisitely, proud and mournful air which stamp the production as the acme of film art. Abounding in thrills, the picture will appeal to those who delight in the more primitive things of life, the thrills of desert life, the thrills of the Foreign Legion, and the primitive cruelty of Sergeant Lejaune, who was a savage dog but a brave soldier. The cast is headed by Ronald Colman, who plays Beau Geste with marvellous fidelity and restraint; he makes a living being on the screen. Ralph Forbes as John, and Neil Hamilton as Digby are finely effective in their ports, while Noah Beery as Le jaune gives what is perhaps the most realistic performance of his professionally villainous career. Alice Joyce, Norman Trevor and Mary Brian are the other stars who play important roles. Prior to the opening of “Beau Geste,” Mr. Albert Petri, English baritone, appears in an effective atmospheric prologue and sings the songs of the French Foreign Legion. A specially written programme of music is well rendered by the Opera House orchestra. “Beau Geste” will be shown for four more nights with a matinee screening at Everybody’s to-day at 2 p.m.