AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, 18 December 1919, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

"Mickey." Mack Bennett's thrilling eight-reel super-picture "Mickey" has been secured by Leo D. Chateau's International Attractions, and will be shown for the "first time in the Opera House commencing at the matinee on Saturday, and then Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights. "Mickey" is a remarkable feature in many ways, and not the least of these is the rare dramatic ability displayed by the star, Mabel Normand. She brings tears to the eyes at one moment and at the very' nevt has her audience roaring with laughter. She registers equally wejl scenes of the broadest comedy, of tense dramatic interest, and in addition performs stunts that would put to shame many of the stars who have won their fame because of their ability to inject thrills into a picture. Although the story covers all of the emotions from broad com-

. « edy to absorbing drama, the tale is told so that it is easy to follow. Be- , cause there are some thrilling dra- j matic scenes does not mean that an 3- j thing the least bit objectionable ever j is allowed to creep into the telling, of the tale, and this picture only goes ! to prove that sensational scenes can J be so handled as to make them per- \ fectly proper for anyone to see. though they still retain all of their j absorbing interest, some in this fea- j ture being so capably done that +iie j theatregoers will find themselves < grapping at the arms of their chairs | and entirely lost in watching the ex-; citing events being unfolded on the! silver sheet. Such scenes as thtfse | include the well-staged horse race and the realistic fight in the deseruxl cottage. Th 6 former is one of tho very best race track scenes tht have ever been filmed. Every detail of tho race has been well worked up, large crowds of extras have been c;.pably handled, and Miss Norm.-md rides the winning mount and takes a fall like a veteraii jockey. Wheeler Oakman, who does good work i throughout', puts over a fight with | Lewis Cody that is a corker, both of I them going after each other hammer I and tongs, managing to stage the sort of a scrap that would be called the big punch in most pictures, but which in this one is only one of many. Excellent photography and lighting add to the bigness of this picture. At no time does the film become the least bit indistinct, being at all times sharp and clear. The lighting was handled by a real expert, who has ontroduced some novel effects, particularly those showing night scenes and some silhouette stuff that would be hard to equal. In addition Miss | Billie Greene, Wellington's charming | soprano, will sing tHe popular songj "Mickey." Box plan at Henderson's, j

GABY DESLYS IN INFATUATION

In spite of the excitement last night of the elections a large crowd attended the Cosy, when a most excellent evening's fun was provided, and the election results being shown on the screen patrons appreciated this very much. The star item on the programme is the pretty feature staring Gaby ' Deslyg. Simple in structure, yet progressing to a scale of magnificence" rarely seen in this country is the story oi "Infatuation," the undeniable superfeature in wnich Gaby Deslys is foi the first time in New Zealand seen in the theatrical world. She starts humbly as a Parisian flower girl, poo l as to purse, but incomparably wealthy as to Ibeauty, and is through s playwright who is interested m hei afforded an opportunity to seek farm and fortune.. By hard work and won derful talent she achieves fame as i dancer, and becomes the idol of Paris The story is an interesting phase of stage life in France, and to give it the proper atmosphere scenes from »i mus : cal comedy on a great scale ol lavishness were performed. You see Gaby in many phases of her own life, and associated with her in thf caste are many famous names which have also been associated with hei success on the stage. Her dancing partner, Harry Pilcer, is one of the prfiinc'pals, others being M. Signoret and Maxudian, both famous ! on the French stage to-day. The .'supporting pictures include another most amusing Sunshine comedy "A Tighi Squeeze," which roars of laughter. Earle Williams is very popular in the serial "The Scarlet Runner," the third episode which is being shown again to-night.