ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

E VERBODY «. •TILLIE’S PUNCTURED ROMANCE.’* Most of the popular fun makers on the screen are employed in the screaming comedy, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance,” a farce-comedy which has been revived after fourteen years, and brought up-to-date in a rather wonderful manner. Such eminent laughter-makers as W. C. Field, Chester Conklin, Louise Fazenda, Mack Swain, and Doris Hill are concerned in this picture, which commenced screening at Everybody's Theatre last night. Never wae there such a lively circus as that controlled by Frisbee, the proprietor, who after a series of amazing adventures, ascertains by indisputable evidence, that Tillie—the lost baby of the original scene—is his very own daughter. One of the most amusing interludes in the picture is where the circus goes to the great war, and the members of the troupe are captured by the Germans, with amusing results. Frisbee is ployed with droll humour by Chester Conklin, whilst the villainous ringmaster is played with much comic unction by W. C. Fields (the comedian of “So’s Your Old Man”), whilst Louise Fazenda makes a volatile and broadly amusing Tillie, whose romance becomes so sadly deflated. Tom Kennedy has the role of the villain, Doris Hill that of the lady trapeziste, and Babe London figures as the strong woman, and big, burly Mack Swain looms up like a thunderstorm as Tillie’s alleged “old man.” To anyone who enjoys uproarious farce, comedy, well done, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” will make a distinct appeal. The supporting pictures include a Christie comedy, cartoon, scenic of Sydney and two interesting gazettes. The programme shows again to-night and at both sessions to-morrow, THE PEOPLE’S. “BRASS KNUCKLES.” Betty Bronson, known as the Peter Pan girl, is co-starred with Monte Blue in “Brass Knuckles,” which is showing finally at the People’s to-night. William Russell, George Stone and Paul Panzer are also in the cast. “Brass KnucCles” is a melodrama portraying the life of a young husky of the tenements who has been wrongfully imprisoned, and a waif whom he fathers. The picture is full of thrills, heartaches, laughs and fistio encounters, aud is an example of splenI did photography and direction. An excellent programme is showing in support. “Brass Knuckles” is recommended by the censor as more especially for adult audiences and the usual family night concessions will not be extended to-night. Showing at'both sessions to-morrow is Fox Film’s mystery circus drama “A Thief in the Dark,” which is said to offer something new in comedy thrillers. According to preview critics this is an unusually fine entertainment with many new angles, including an expose of how fake mediums and spiritualists dupe their credulous victims. The picture i» based on an original story by Albert Ray, the director of the production. Thirty trick sets for the materialisation of ghosts were especially designed by a former associate of Houdini. The cast includes George Meeker, in the leading masculine role, Doris Hill, Gwen Lee, Marjorie Beebe. Noah Young and other screen favourites. OPERA HOUSE. ! DANCE RECITAL T.O-MORROW. The photographs of Miss Catherine Joyes’ pupils, now on view in several shop windows in Devon Street, are at tracting a good deal of attention. The dance recital to be staged in the Opera House on Saturday evening will commence at 8 p.m. and a varied programme has been arranged. After the overture by the Opera House Orchestra little Sybil McKinney will open (jie recital in “The Doll.” The second number, “The Wooden Soldier,” will be danced by Doreen Granger. Others taking part include: O. Bates, M. Hookham, P. Marshall, Patricia Connell, Marguerite Chamberlain, Sybil Turner, Ethel Richards, Lorna Marshall, Phyllis Bates, Margaret and Catherine Moyes. Following the dance recital, a picture programme will be shown headed by the First National comedy drama “The Chaser.” This picture presents HarryLangdon in a whizzing comedy that fairly jumps from laugh to laugh without in anyway losing the thread of an amusing story. Gladys McConnel has the principal feminine role and 25 famous bathing beauties decorate the cast,