AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 4 February 1926, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. TRIPLE BILL BARCLAY, ILLUSIONIST AND TWO STAR PICTURES. Patrons of His Majesty’s. Theatre are well assured of a genuine treat tonight, inasmuch as there will be three attractions. Direct from Fullers and | J. C. Williamson’s, Barclay the Great ■ will appear. Barclay is a vaudevillian who plays amusing tricks with a guineapig, nonchalantly tears 10s notes to pieces, produces bottles from nowhere, and generally astounds everyone by his sleight-of-hand work. He gives a smart, clear performance, the while putting over a line of chat well punctuated with jests. He also appears in his sensational and ddath-defying bullet-catching act. Performing this act in London in 1917, the world-fam-ous Chung Ling Soo was killed. This is the most sensational act ever presented on any stage in New Zealand. In the picture part of the programme “The Spook Ranch” features Hoot Gibson. A story of *a haunted ranch on the edge of the Majave desert, a hidden mine, a persecuted girl and Hoot Gibson doing his nerviest best to solve the mystery of “Spook Ranch” is the theme of this latest Universal-Jewel release. In support Williard Mack’s book “The Heritage” has been picturised with good effect. A gazette and scenic conclude a wonderful progremme. Prices remain the same and the box plan is at Upton’s.

THE GRAND. TIP TOP PICTURE. ‘•DURAND OF THE BAD LANDS.” There is a lure to the desert country ■ f the great Southwest. Who can say 1 -av many thousands of men—and .’.-omen, too —have risked, and even ■st, their lives fighting against the almost hopeless odds with which Mother Nature has seen lit to endow the barrun country, insofar as human habitalion is concerned? In “Durand of the Bad Lands. ” the William Fox production starring Buck Jones, now at the • popular Grand Theatre, the picture 1 fans will be transported to that vast outdoor space and perhaps wil understand, after viewing this dramatic story, something of the hold that the desert has on the hearts of men. A ‘ cast of unusual excellence will be seen in support of Buck Jones. Marian Nixon, one of the daintiest of the new leading women of tho screen, plays the heroine, while others in the cast are Carol Lombard, Malcolm Waite, Fred De Silva. Luke Cosgrove, James Corrigan and George Lessley. The supporting pictures are all good and the comedy “Love and Lions” is exceedingly funny. Fox variety “The Sky Tribe” and the latest Fox News complete together with The Grand orchestra a first class evening’s entertainment. The plan for reserves is open at Moore’s Swest Shop opposite theatre. SWANKERS’ CONCERT. The Wanganui Swankers’ Club has arranged an interesting programme to be given at the Opera House on Sunday evening. The concert is to assist the funds of the Queen Alexandra Band, -which will play the contest numbers. The vocalist will be Miss Eva Webb-Jones, whose progress in her art is interesting many Wanganui people. Miss Webb-Jones will be leaving for Sydney w'ithin a fortnight, and no doubt a large number of people will attend the concert to hear her before she returns to the Conservatorium. A vocal quartette will provide an item, and Mr Geo. Swan will give the monologue, “The Midnight Charge.” The Band’s playing of the contest numbers should cause keen interest and altogether the programme is such as to merit strong public support. GARRISON BAND. The Garrison Band wishes to apologize to their numerous supporters for their non-appearance on Sunday last. It should be kno K n that the band got a wetting when on full-dress parade in ( the morning for the Quickstep, and again when proceeding to Castlecliff in i the afternoon, and at six o’clock the band made their decision to postpone their evening concert. It was then raining very hard. It is very pleasing to the band to know they have such musical enthusiasts who will turn out in all weathers to hear them play. The practices are going well and the confidence of the band regarding the Dunedin result is growing every day. Tomorrow evening, at 6.30, the band will practise their Quickstep in Cook’s Gardens, and the public are cordially invited to be present.