AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19787, 10 March 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. A programme of excellent entertainment value will be shown again at His Majesty’s Theatre to-night, the two special features being “The Tower of Lies” with Lon Chaney and Norma Shearer heading a cast of popular players, and “Sun Up,” with Conrad Nagel and Pauline Starke. The film work of Lon Chaney is very well known to Wanganui patrons while the ability of Norma Shearer has made her very popular, and there is no doubt that ‘ ‘ The Tower of ’ in which feature both players are seen at their best, will do much to enhance their reputations. Norma Shearer is seen in a role which calls for a wide range of acting on account of the great number of years through which the story runs. In the early part of the picture she appears as a child, then a young woman and finally as a woman of thirty who has become hardened from contact with the world. Miss Shearer has probably outdone any of her former successes and Chaney has made a very radical departure from his usual characterisations with highly gratifying results. Many of the settings in “The Tower of Lies” are decidedly original and the production is an entertaining one. “(Sun Up,” the supporting production, is a story of human emotions in a desolate mountain village. Conrad Nagel and Pauline Starke are the featured players. Lucille la Verne is again in the part she played for two years on the legitimate stage and since in England. The most critical audiences in the world saw this stage play during its two years’ run on Broadway. The film version comes with all its original drawing qualities maintained.

THE GRAND Tn the old nursery rhyme only one little pig went to market. In “The Midnight Kiss,” Fox Films version of John Golden’s laugh provoking play “Pigs,” which will have its first showing at the Grand Theatre to-day 250 of them went squeaking gaily, netting their young owner some 1000 per cent, profit on their way. In this story of an American family Richard Wiling and Janet Gaynor have the leading roles. Janet is the persistent little Mildred Hastings, whose determination to marry the young Tommy Atkins meets with much smiling tolerance on the part of her family and much opposition from the object of her adoration. Richard is Tommy Atkins, whose financial coop gains for him the reputation of a seasoned financier, a job in the bank, the right to dictate to his Uncle Hector —and a wife. As a play this comedy kept Broadway laughing for many months, its charm lying in the simplicity of plot and the youth of the main characters. The picture, according to all who saw it yesterday, surpasses the play both in characterisations and situations. This picture will be supported by “Loves Whirlpool,” featuring Lila Lee and James Kirkwood. The story is full of mystery, thrills and romance. Fox comedy, Fox News and Fox Variety complete a firstclass entertainment.